WHETHER launching off 45-foot jumps or racing headfirst down a mountain, teenage snowboarder Caycee Stratten’s career aspirations have received a sizeable boost.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first time I hopped on a snowboard, I knew this is what I wanted to do.
- Caycee Stratten
Caycee, 13, is a student at Kiama High School and competes in boardercross, slopestyle and half-pipe.
She has been involved in the sport for seven years, and has registered some impressive achievements this year.
One major milestone for Caycee was winning the Thredbo Grom Series event for 2015.
This meant she was required to have the highest score throughout the season by winning separate series events, which included big air (first), banzai (first), ridercross (second), slopestyle (third) and rail jam (third).
Caycee also qualified for The Australian Junior Championships.
She qualified for boardercross and scored a fifth for the half-pipe.
Other events Caycee was successful in included the Playstation Slopestyle Competition (third) and The Knox/Pymble Race (second)
She was also chosen by Olympic gold medalist Torah Bright to win the Torah Bright Mini Shred Day, for showing dedication and passion for snowboarding.
The teenager trained throughout the season with up-and-coming athletes via the Perisher Winter Sports Club program.
The Kiama resident’s motto is ‘‘live to ride, ride to live’’.
‘‘The first time I hopped on a snowboard, I knew this is what I wanted to do,’’ she said.
‘‘(My favourite part) is probably the adrenaline rush when I learn a new trick.’’
Caycee represented Kiama High in the state interschool event, and qualified for the nationals in the snowboard disciplines of giant slalom and boardercross.
She therefore raced at Mount Bulla, Victoria at the Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships last weekend.
She competed against the best in Australia in Division 3 (year 7 and 8 students).
Her mother Cathy said although Caycee didn’t place in either the giant slalom or boardercross, it had been a positive experience.
‘‘She finished in the midfield, and did really well against some quite hot competition,” Cathy said.
Cathy said being a Kiama family heavily involved in winter sports can be challenging.
‘‘There is a lot of time spent on the snow in all weather conditions,’’ she said.
‘‘Kiama High has been very supportive and understanding with Caycee’s sports commitments.’’
For details, visit the www.facebook.com/caycee.stratten.athlete website.
