GYMNAST-turned-aerial skier Yves Berryman is set to embark on a two-month development program in the US. Always up for a challenge, the 17-year-old of Lysterfield traded in her leotards for ski jackets and pants in a bid to compete in the world championships and Winter Olympics within five years.
Intensive 32-hour-a-week gymnastics training and repetitive movements thwarted Berryman's recovery from a back injury, forcing the move to aerial skiing.
"It was a difficult decision - injuries certainly influenced the leave but I like the challenge."
A novice in July, Berryman will leave for Snowbasin Ski Resort, Utah, at the end of this month as part of a Victorian Institute of Sport program grooming nine budding aerial skiers to be world-cup-level athletes.
Berryman hopes to follow Winter Olympics gold medallist Alisa Camplin and multiple world champion Jacqui Cooper in representing Australia on the world stage.
"It's something I've always wanted to do and I'm very grateful the VIS has given me a chance. Gymnastics is not a sport you can continue in adulthood, whereas skiing you can do for longer."
Since she finished gym training, her injuries have settled down. Thrown into gymnastics by her parents "to burn off energy" as a five-year-old, Berryman made light work of state and national competition.
She finished 10th in the 2007 Youth Olympics in Sydney and fell agonisingly short of qualifying for the Beijing games. "Missing the team by one spot was disappointing, but I'm looking forward to Utah and developing my aerial skills."
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