During the week 7 morning assembly, Kaylie from 9(11) was invited to share her knowledge and experience as a skier with the ninth graders. Kaylie has been skiing for 6 years and has more than 4 years of competition experience. She trains in various regions across China as well as in Europe and has achieved outstanding results in competitions.

First, Kaylie gave the ninth graders a brief introduction of the various equipment used in the sport, such as the helmet, goggles, arm guards, gloves, ski boots and skis. She explained that they provide athletes with the necessary support and protection during training sessions and competitions.

According to Kaylie, skiing also has its share of challenges. The sport requires a high level of physical and mental fitness with risks of serious injuries especially when going downhill at high speeds. In addition, the unpredictable weather, whereby you can have sunny skies one moment and then thunderstorms or hail the next, requires athletes to always be prepared. Kaylie recounted the time she suffered from frostbite at -32 degrees Celsius as she had failed to take the necessary precautions against the extreme cold.

However, despite all the challenges she has faced, Kaylie remains steadfast in her passion for skiing. She not only views skiing as a sport, but also as a splash of color in her life. Skiing has not only brought her many friends with common interests and pursuits, but also given her the opportunity to travel around the world, enjoy the different landscapes, and try various cuisines, creating life-long memories.

Before concluding her speech, Kaylie unveiled the exciting news that she has successfully obtained an Austrian coaching license, and that she prides herself on being able to teach more people to ski. Additionally, she offered to provide advice to those interested in skiing.

From this introduction, ninth graders learned not only about the charm of skiing, but also about exploration, passion, perseverance, and growth. 

(Written by 9(6) Andrea Yang Pictures by Jin Xu Supervised by Yanjie Yao Reviewed by Qian Zuo)