We sat down with Sochi 2014 Skeleton Winter Olympian and now HPSNZ Strength and Conditioning Coach, Katharine Eustace, to share her story.
HPSNZ
Tell us about your Olympic experience.
Katharine
It was bigger than anything I’d ever been to before. Skeleton is big in Europe but even there the most spectators you might get at an event is 100 people and that’s mostly friends and families. It was cool to be part of a team with other athletes and different sports as usually we were just with other skeleton athletes.
HPSNZ
Of all the experiences, what was the most memorable?
Katharine
Walking into the Opening Ceremony was kind of insane. The stadium was full, people were cheering, it was really dark with so many lights and cameras. I felt really famous! And I was so proud to be part of a bigger New Zealand team.
HPSNZ
Given what you know now what, if anything, would you have done differently in your Olympic campaign?
Katharine
I would have spent more time earlier sorting my equipment out and getting my tight team together, including a consistent coach. I was still changing equipment way too close to the event.
HPSNZ
How different do you think the Olympic experience is today from when you competed?
Katharine
I think there will be a much bigger role and influence of technology and technical analysis of athletes’ performances as they work through their competition. Also, the role sustainability plays in the Games. For example, in Milano Cortina they are using a lot of different, existing venues so there will probably be less of a whole New Zealand Team feel which is a shame, but important from a sustainability perspective. It will be more like going back into just your own sport.
HPSNZ
How does your experience as an Olympic athlete contribute and help in your current role with HPSNZ?
Katharine
It helps knowing what the athletes we are working with are trying to achieve and what it takes, encouraging them to use all the opportunities technically and tactically to be at the top of their sport, and the sacrifices they have to make to achieve that. And knowing it’s worth it.
HPSNZ
If you were to give a current Winter Olympian or Paralympian one piece of advice for their Milano Cortina 2026 campaign, what would it be?
Katharine
Focus on what you have to do and when you have to do it. Otherwise, enjoy the experience.
