ABBEY WILLCOX
BIOGRAPHY
Abbey Willcox developed her acrobatic abilities through gymnastics and sports acrobatics, and has used this platform to build her aerial skiing skills.
After training on water ramps in Melbourne, Victoria, and Park City, Utah, USA, she commenced jumping on snow and debuted her international career in 2016 at the Europa Cup in Ruka, Finland. Willcox performed at her first World Cup in Lake Placid, USA 2019, progressing to double-twisting double-flips. She continued to compete throughout the 2019 World Cup tour, recording a personal best World Cup finish of 13th in Minsk, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 12-woman final. Willcox had a breakthrough 2019-2020 World Cup season, highlighted by the first World Cup podium of her career under lights in Deer Valley, UT, USA, taking bronze in February 2020. She also finished the season ranked a personal best 7th in the world on the world cup standings. Unfortunately Willcox was only able to compete in the one World Cup event in 2020-2021. At the event in Yarslavl, Russia, Willcox had a strong qualifying performance advancing to finals in eighth place, but was unable to take part after crashing her last jump in finals training and injuring her leg. The injury required surgery, and Willcox had to return to Australia ending her season. Willcox returned from injury to record four top-15 World Cup performances during the 2021-2022 season, but unfortunately missed out on qualifying a quota spot for Australia at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, with the missed events in 2021 due to injury a major factor in just falling short on the Olympic Ranking List. Following the 2022 season, and start of a new Olympic quadrennial, Willcox decided to take the 2023 season off from on snow training and competition, but continued to train on the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre in Brisbane. Willcox returned to competition in September 2023, taking part in a Water Jump Grand Prix event at the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre, where she placed second behind teammate Airleigh Frigo. The 2023-2024 FIS World Cup season was exciting for Willcox, highlighted by the second podium of her career at Deer Valley, UT, USA, and top-six super-final finishes in both days of competition at Lac-Beauport, Canada. At Deer Valley Willcox was joined on the podium by teammate Danielle Scott who finished in second, with Willcox scoring 76.85 points to finishing in the bronze medal position. “It’s been four years in the making, so happy to back on the podium and such a beautiful night to be jumping in front of everyone in Deer Valley,” said the 27-year-old Willcox. “It’s pretty much an exact repeat of four years ago, it’s co incredible to share the podium with Dani as well, two Aussies on the podium is amazing.” At her final World Cup events of the season the following weekend in Lac-Beauport, Canada, Willcox made it three straight super-final appearances which is the longest streak of her career, with two fifth place finishes. After Lac-Beauport, Willcox was ranked seventh, matching her previous best ranking of seventh from the 2020 season. Q & AChildhood Ambition:
Represent Australia in Gymnastics/ Travel the World Proudest Moment: Winning Bronze at Deer Valley World Cup in 2020 I began this sport .... in 2015 Participation in other sports: Gymnastics, Athletics, Soccer, Horse Riding Favourite overseas competition and why: Deer Valley, the atmosphere is like no other World Cup competition Sports Hero: Alisa Camplin When I am not training/competing I am: Working at the Brisbane Broncos, hiking, rock climbing Highest level of education achieved: University Degree - Bachelor of Business Sponsors: Dalbello, Volkl, Wattlesnest LINKS |
AERIAL SKIING ATHLETES
AERIAL SKIING CALENDAR |
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