Page 7 - Real Rochdale Issue 14 Summer 2022

Daisi Daniels

Champion skier

Champion skier Daisi Daniels, 19, has already achieved so much

since she first strapped on a pair of skis: she boasts over 90 gold

medals, and has collected almost as many titles, including British

Children’s Champion; the British National champion at U12,

U14, U16 and U18, and British Indoor Skiing Champion.

Daisi began skiing when she was just four years old, after a family holiday to Austria.

“I really didn’t like it,” she admitted. “I was crying and screaming so mum and dad left me with the
instructor. I didn’t want to put the skis on but by the end, I wouldn’t take them off. The instructor
chased me down the baby slope with a hula hoop to catch me!”

When they got home, Daisi’s mum won tickets to Chill Factore indoor skiing and gave them to
Daisi. There, her talent was spotted by a coach – and she began training on a serious level.
studies, but struggled more when looking for a college place.
At the age of eight, she progressed from indoor
skiing to real snow, and was using skis above “I asked around for time off to ski, and most said they’d struggle.”
her age.
Daisi attended Itchen Sixth Form College in Southampton, where she won a scholarship to study for
She recently made her debut in downhill skiing, a BTEC in triple sport. Being from Whitworth, Daisi lived with a host family throughout her time at
having spent her years in the sport competing in college.
three Alpine disciplines: slalom, giant slalom and
super G. She said: “I adored Itchen. They were so helpful, thanks to their talented athlete programme. And my
host family made really good food!”
• Slalom skiing – between poles or gates.
Daisi, who currently trains with Ambition Racing, trains three times a week, balancing cardio with
• Giant slalom –between sets of poles set at a strength. When the pandemic hit, she bought her own home weights to use at home and also enjoys
further distance apart. boxing – which she picked up at school – as an alternative way of keeping fit.

• Super G – combines elements of downhill (a The teenager currently works in the family business, Bouncy Castle Network, the world’s largest
speed event) and giant slalom. online booking system for party rental businesses. She plans to continue the business when her
parents retire.
Daisi said: “I enjoy slalom the most because it’s
the must upbeat and has variation, but it’s not “Now this season has finished, I need to start planning for next season. It’ll be my last year as a junior
my best, results-wise. I usually do best in giant so it’s quite a big year.
slalom, but my first downhill was good. I always
said I’d never do it, but I was amazed it went so “My goal is to win the world juniors, so I need to train hard in the summer. I couldn’t do it without my
well, and my coach was really pleased.” sponsors, so a big thank you to them as always.”

The former Beech House School pupil said it Daisi will return to the slopes in Winter 2022 for the next season.
was tough balancing her sport with her school

REAL ROCHDALE - summer 2022 6 7 REAL ROCHDALE - summer 2022