Alisa Camplin

“Athletes never start a pursuit without a short, medium and long term plan. This is exactly how we should go about making our sports organisations and surrounding environments sustainable for our long term playing future”  Alisa Camplin - Skiing


Alisa captivated the world and has made history through the triumph of quiet dedication.  To win the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the 5-foot-2-inch Australian landed a “back full/double full” on her second jump.  She out-jumped the world record holder, reigning World Cup (WC) Grand Prix Champion and the World Champion to become our new Olympic Champion.  Unlike those within the skiing fraternity, most of the Australian public were taken by surprise.  However, there was collective pride (and tears) for Australia's humble little hero, as she jumped for joy during her gold medal presentation in Salt Lake City.

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino Alisa claimed a remarkable bronze becoming the first person in history to win back to back Olympic aerial medals. After tragically re-injuring her knee just four months prior to the Games, Alisa was forced to have allograft surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate graft. She made an exceptional recovery, stunning all with her miraculous speed and determination through rehabilitation to be back on skis by Christmas and on the podium six weeks later! Alisa was honoured to carry the Australian Flag and lead the Australian team at the Olympic Games.

Since winning the Olympic title in 2002, Alisa had two phenomenal seasons. By the end of the 2002/03 season Alisa became the reigning World Record Holder, World Champion and the WC Grand Prix Champion! There is only one other woman in the history of the sport who has held all three titles (Olympic, World & WC) at the same time, “The Triple Crown”.  Alisa also won the 2002 Female Sportswoman of the Year Award and the coveted 2002 Sir Donald Bradman Award, for the athlete who has most inspired the nation.

Alisa’s consistency and excellence throughout the 2002/03 WC Series was unforgettable. Her world record performance to take out the World Championship title, further reflected her courage and commitment to win. Despite falling heavily during training (where x-rays cleared her of a broken neck), Alisa stood tall and nailed two personal best jumps in the final to set a new overall World Record score (207.31) and claim the World title.

In 2003/04, Alisa won her second consecutive aerial skiing WC Grand Prix title after claiming seven victories, two silver and one bronze medal. Alisa has become only the third woman in freestyle skiing history to claim seven victories in one season. Alisa has had ten victories since her Olympic Games medal in 2002 and has made the podium 15 times in 20 consecutive World Cup events. Fresh off a break at the start of the 2004/05 season, Alisa became the first woman ever to execute a new quadruple twisting double somersault during water jump training in Park City. Despite these exciting advancements, Alisa’s anterior cruciate ligament snapped whilst under the water in a freak accident resulting in reconstructive knee surgery and extensive rehabilitation. A successful return to competition at the 2005/06 Mt Buller World Cup secured Alisa’s qualification for the 2006 Olympic Games.

Few know about Alisa's path to glory, including her ongoing quest for perfection, unwavering dedication and multiple injury comebacks (including two broken ankles, nine concussions, a broken collarbone, a broken hand, a separated shoulder, a torn knee ligament, a torn achilles tendon and two snapped anterior cruciate ligaments).  Alisa is the first to admit that it was all worth it to become Australia’s first-ever female (and first-ever snow sport) Winter Olympic gold medallist, duel Olympic medallist,  World Champion, World Record Holder and two times WC Grand Prix Champion.