19-year-old Andy from Hong Kong committed to skiing in 2018. After a few years of training, he has not only become a member of the SAHK Development Squad but also currently holds the title of the youngest Level 2 Instructor (Landes 1) in China.
Andy first tried skiing at age 11 and began systematic training at 12—a start that isn't considered early. However, in the eyes of his coach, Benni Walch, an Austrian national ski examiner, Andy is highly talented.
Benni recalls first meeting Andy at an indoor ski resort in Shanghai and quickly realizing "he was really a passionate skier." Benni says, "And (there is) a big thing that he's able to do… He can talk a lot of languages, so it will open up a lot of doors in the skiing world."
Similarly, Andy sees Benni as his idol in skiing. "His biggest characteristic is his short turns, a technique that I really want to achieve."
Skiing connects people: Remarkable transformation of Andy
Before discovering skiing, Andy's favorite pastime was lying at home playing video games—in his own words, he was like a "couch potato." Andy's mother, Nono, also said, "(At that time) I only knew he was a kid who lived in the city. he didn't hike mountains or exercise much."
The turning point came when Andy went on a ski trip to New Zealand with friends. At the time, his skills only placed him in the weakest group, Group C, while his friend was in the strongest. Wanting to ski alongside his friend, Andy started practicing diligently to improve. Gradually, he fell in love with skiing, constantly honing his skills. He used his expertise to teach teachers and classmates at school ski camps and even taught Chinese students in Austria. "It (skiing) helps me connect with more people," Andy says.
This transformation also surprised his mother, Nono. One memory that stands out is when 12-year-old Andy went on a ski trek with his then-coach, Bunski. "Suddenly, he had to carry a big ski backpack and skis, hike to the mountain top, and then ski down… My mind was actually blank when I received his message. When I saw the picture of him reaching the summit, I burst into tears." Nono believes such experiences marked a significant turning point for her son.
Aiming to build China's own ski instruction system
Today, Andy trains, competes, and instructs. He recently completed a six-week internship as a ski instructor. "There were elderly gentlemen around 80 and grandmothers who came to ski, I used safer methods (of instructing) to let them experience the fun of this sport too. With children, I change to more fun training methods."
Andy admits that skiers of different ages, from enthusiasts to professional athletes, vary greatly in physical condition, build, and required techniques. Adapting his teaching methods to different learners has made each lesson a valuable experience for him.
Andy's next goal is to obtain the highest level of Austrian ski coach certification—considered one of the most difficult qualifications to achieve in the industry. The assessment covers not only personal skiing technique and teaching ability but also freestyle competition and standard simulated skiing, among other tests. In Andy's view, coaches with this certification demonstrate greater adaptability and comprehensive skills on the slopes.
Following the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics, more and more young people in China are turning their attention to skiing. However, after comparing skiing standards in different areas, Andy realized that Asia still has room for growth. To contribute, Andy has decided to apply for a university major in Sports Science. He hopes that through systematic study, he can integrate different skiing theories and ultimately help establish China's own ski instruction system, promoting the development of winter sports in China as a professional.
(Reporters: Tracy, Darius; Camerapeople & video editors: Sammi, Bernhard; English editor: Darius)
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