Women of Winter | Zali Offord
Published Fri 15 Oct 2021
Our Women in Focus series continues this month with Paralympic Ski technician and Assistant coach Zali Offord. A former alpine ski racer and national champion in slalom and giant slalom, Offord represented Australia at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, winning a silver medal in ski cross. She has also competed as a sighted guide supporting visually impaired athletes including Winter Paralympian Patrick Jensen.
Zali, when did you decide that you wanted to be involved with the snow industry?
"I've be involved in snow sports from a young age, representing Australia worldwide in alpine skiing and ski cross. Naturally progressing into the industry in a working role has been another chapter that has kept me in the best office in the world."
What drives you to be the best you can be?
“I would think I'm a naturally driven and passionate person, however the opportunity to work with not only incredible athletes in the Australian Paralympic ski team, but also the people who I also consider my best mates in life drives me every day!
“Seeing them achieve results on the world stage or helping them through the battles of competition drives me to be there to support the Paralympic team in any way I can.”
What has been your proudest moment or achievement?
"During my competitive ski racing years, I really thought my proudest moments or achievements were result-based. As I've grown up and matured, I've realised that being passionate and loving what you do each day is a bigger achievement.
“Also, to be proud and accepting of who I truly am is my proudest moment in my life.”
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received in your career?
"Being a ski technician means taking on hours upon hours of repetitive work each day, and that’s usually after a day on snow with the athletes. Long nights are a part of this role as well. One fellow technician in my early days of work once wrote a list of jobs for me which ended in these simple steps:
- Scrape light
- Finish Edges
- Wax for conditions
- Brush, Brush, Brush
- Go Fast
- Win races
- Become Famous!
Is there anything else you would like to share with other women in this industry?
“I've always felt that mountains don't discriminate. Having the opportunity to engage and work with other women in the snowsports industry is incredibly empowering. I hope I have the same impact on other young women in the sport.”
