Brockhoff’s dream has moved on, but legacy will endure 

“I will miss everything that snowboardcross has given me. It has been my passion, my identity and my greatest adventure. I will still go riding, share that love of snowboarding with the next generation, and stay connected to this incredible community. But right now, the competitive chapter defined so much of my life has come to a close . . .” 

– Belle Brockhoff, 2021 world champion  

After years of defying a hospital ward’s worth of injuries that would’ve forced other athletes to retire long ago, triple Olympian Belle Brockhoff conceded a harsh reality forced the curtain to fall on her outstanding career. 

Brockhoff was airlifted off the mountain last March when she broke her back in a heavy crash at a FIS World Cup event at Georgia. After being evacuated to Greece for surgery, scans revealed she’d fractured her L1 vertebrae. 

As she recovered in hospital the warrior spirit within Brockhoff tapped back into her famous ‘pain is temporary, the Olympics are not’ mindset she adopted for the 2018 Games. 

They were the Games in which Brockhoff competed with her knee swathed in duct tape and encased in a brace after having an Anterior Cruciate Ligament [ACL] removed. However, with just 21 days until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony, she’s announced it isn’t possible for her to hurdle a horrific prospect. 

“My mentality was to aim to comeback because even if it was truly not possible, I’d have my body in a good, healthy strong place,” said the long-term New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder. “So, that’s what I did, but I made the call [to retire] towards the end of last year, and when I started telling people of my decision it felt right. 

“The fact that the risk of not being able to walk because of spinal cord damage from a potential hard crash determined my decision. Any other broken bone, any other ligament damage was – for me – a walk in the park to come back from, but this time there’s too much . . . I didn’t feel a shot at a medal was worth it anymore. 

“So, what I wanted to do in life has completely changed. At the start of last year if you’d asked me how I felt about watching the Games, I would’ve said it’d be ‘very hard’ but now those dreams have moved on.” 

Brockhoff’s achievements, allied with her competitiveness, ensures a legacy that will inspire future snowboarders. 

A snapshot of her achievements include: 

• Winning the Mixed Team World Championship with fellow NSWIS athlete Jaryd Hughes in 2021 

• Winning Australia’s first gold World Cup medal for snowboard cross in 2016 

• Winning 17 World Cup medals  

• Competing at three Winter Olympics 

However, Brockhoff’s hope is her philosophy – rather than the medals and titles – will resonate with future generations of athletes. 

“It sounds cheesy, but I hope [people take from me] that anything is possible with the right passion for it . . . working hard . . . goalsetting,” she said.  

“It’s not my quote – it’s Elon Musk’s – and he said a lot of people plan to reach goals in 10-years’ time whereas they should aim to do it in six months’ time.   

“Work really hard, be proactive and be smart with your time, see what you can do rather than accept it can take five or 10-years to achieve something. You look and see there are athletes achieving their goals at 15 – like [NSWIS skier] Indra Brown.”    

Brockhoff also signalled racing alongside her sport’s ‘Generation Now’ – Mia Clift, Josie Baff and Amber Essex – as a genuine highlight. 

“Being in the same heats as them was really cool, especially in the back half of my career,” she said.  “It was very special after being the only female in the team for so long.”  

Brockhoff has great expectations for the Australian team that will compete at next month’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, but she advises success comes from performing amid the pressure.   

“We have a good chance at winning a few medals,” she said. “It’s about performing on the day, but it’s all about working hard and everyone being hungry to get a result.  [Snowboard Cross] hasn’t had a medal result since Jarryd Hughes [won silver] at Pyeongchang in 2018, so [breaking that drought] would be the ultimate goal – and I’m confident they can do it.” 

In signing off, Brockhoff, a NSWIS scholarship holder for 14-years, credited the Institute for bracing her to succeed in the rough ‘n tumble of her extreme sport.  

“It has been so good working with NSWIS,” said Brockhoff. “I had my first official training camp with NSWIS when I was 19; a three-week camp run by John Marsden and I remember being flogged.  I hadn’t had a program before and was training three days a week for three weeks.  I started napping for the first time in my life; pass out on the couch.  

“And being a member of the NSWIS Athlete Advisory Group was cool. It was great to have an impact, even if it the feedback I provided was as simple as getting cotton socks for the athletes.” 

NSWIS Winter Sport Manager Peter Topalovic said Brockhoff will be remembered for her contribution to sport and to her fellow athletes. 

“To witness Belle’s entire snowboard cross career when she accepted her first NSWIS athlete scholarship in 2012 to becoming one of the greatest winter sports athletes of all time is astounding,” he said. “Belle has constantly given back to her sport as a mentor, a leading voice with equality and inclusion, and in recent years a member of the NSWIS Athlete Advisory Group that perfectly showcases her character. 

“The floor is hers to take a well-deserved bow.” 

Daniel Lane, NSWIS