Dual Winter Paralympian Tori Pendergast announces retirement

After a career spanning more than a decade , Dual Winter Paralympian Victoria Pendergast has today announced her retirement from the sport.

The 29-year-old paved the way as Australia’s first ever female sit skier to compete at a Winter Paralympics, when she debuted in 2014 in Sochi.

After lengthy consideration, Pendergast said the decision to retire was not taken lightly but one that will give her exciting new opportunities with her marketing career.

“It was not an easy decision to make, I spent a couple of months thinking about it, but there were just so many things going on with work and I was starting to be offered some really exciting opportunities,” Pendergast said.

“I still love skiing, I always will, but I felt like it was the right time to retire,” she said.

Pendergast had a decorated career, achieving two silver and two bronze World Cup medals but says she never stopped working hard and striving to be better.

“I put in a lot of hard work, and there were a few times I can remember it really paying off,” Pendergast says.

“One in particular was when we were in Canada, I’d been going through a couple of rough patches, and I’d had a bad crash the day before the race.

“But I came back the next day, and I was the fastest female on the mountain - it was the first time that I’d achieved that and it was a really special moment because all the hard work that I’d been putting in had finally paid off,” she said.

Pendergast was a much loved member of the Para Snowsports team, but credits the team around her for helping her get to the top of her sport.

“My first coach, Ban, really helped me develop my technique and was extremely patient. And then Christian (Geiger) really helped me sharpen those skills,” Pendergast said.

“The team at NSWIS have also been fantastic, especially Toppa and all the work he’s put into integrating para into the sports program.

“And also my teammates, we’re not sure what the upcoming season is going to look like but I can’t wait to keep watching them pushing hard,” she said.

Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy thanked Tori for the impact she made on para snowsports in Australia.

“Tori inspired us all when she became the first Australian female sit skier in Sochi, and since then has continued to deliver consistent performances on the world stage,” Kennedy said.

“Not only has she made us proud with her efforts on the national team, but also in her service to the community - she was always the first to put her hand up to help at FUTURES camps or within the Disabled Wintersports Australia community.

“On behalf of the snowsports community we wish Tori all the best in her retirement and hope to see her on the slopes again some time soon,” he said.

Pendergast will now focus her time on her role at Torrens University Australia, in the Sales Department, and completing a Graduate Certificate.