The Interschools Diaries by Charlotte Murdoch

By Charlotte Murdoch (St Catherine's School, VIC)

I am in year 12, so the cancellation of Interschools this year meant that I lost the opportunity to race one last time. That’s what I am going to miss the most, to be able to cherish that moment when for the last time I was going to be able to ski alongside my team and this many people that I know.

I’ve competed in Interschools since I was in year 7, in Alpine and Skier Cross. I love skiing and being able to combine that experience with school and your school friends is great. It’s such a positive environment, but it also has a really nice competitive element to it. It makes for a really fun weekend when you can enjoy the competition and the time you get to spend with your friends on the snow. Just seeing everyone so happy, it’s super fun!

Skiing in a team is a great way to get to know girls in other year levels and part of the fun is to be able to share the victory, however big or small. Last year (or maybe it was the year before?!) I placed second with my team and that was really awesome. But the thing I love maybe the most about Interschools is the Opening Ceremony - it’s always really fun to start off the week with the fireworks!

So if I had to give any advice to someone who’s never experienced Interschools, I would say: “Just do it!”. It does not matter at all how good you are or how much experience you have on snow. As long as you’re there and you’re giving it a try – something good always comes out of every race. It doesn’t even matter if you finish on the podium or not, you still get to meet so many new people and it’s just a great, fun experience to be part of.