Q and A with Spirit of Interschools winner Maysen Duffy

Maysen Duffy recently won the Spirit of Interschools Award at the 2019 Snow Australia Community Sport Awards.

Maysen has been involved for 11 years and competes in all disciplines at Interschools including cross country, alpine and snowboard events with high performing results.

However, Maysen’s success has never once changed her attitude towards others participating in the Interschools events.

We caught up with Maysen to ask her what it felt like to win the award, her plans for the future and much more.

How did it feel to win the Spirit of Interschools Award?

Maysen: I was completely taken by surprise, even being selected as a finalist was a huge honour and I feel very privileged to have been selected to win the award, especially amongst the other amazing finalists.

Do you have any pre-competition routines/superstitions?

Maysen: I always do everything in threes. Every exercise/drill, I have to do three times, that applies to my waxing. For example I brush my skis three times, no more no less. Before every race my dad gives me three pieces of chocolate for an energy kick. My legendary teacher in charge Gibbo (Peter Gibbons), always loves to put snow down my neck to get me psyched for a race.

What do you most enjoy about snowsports?

Maysen: My favourite thing about snowsports is the Interschools competition, it was my first competitive experience with snowsports. I was fortunate enough to have gone to Falls Creek Primary School for three years, starting off as a pretty ordinary skier, the Interschools competition was the crux of our school. It is an event in which I looked forward to each year and this has continued each year of my schooling right through to my last race this year. Snowsports, especially interschools, has given me the opportunity to meet so many different people and make many valuable friendships.

Who inspired you to take up snowsports?

Maysen: My parents started taking me skiing from a very early age, even though they themselves could not ski all that well. They have made many sacrifices to allow my brother and I to be involved in such an incredible sport and have allowed me to achieve all that I have thus far. The person who inspired me to take up snowsports with Helen Whittaker from Falls Creek Primary School. She took me out for my first ever cross country ski and encouraged and supported me, through Interschools, Victorian and national competitions all the way up to the Australian national junior team.

What are your goals for the future?

Maysen: I’m not entirely certain on the future of my competitive career, but I know that I am dedicated to work with Caulfield Grammar in the years following my schooling to improve their snow sports team, meaning I will be involved in the interschools program for years to come.