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Ten years ago, Maddi Boyer seemed done with ski racing — a sport that had almost claimed her life.
The Mildura competitor had fallen during an event in Geelong and fractured the base of her skull, spending months in a halo brace and struggling to read.
She considered "retiring forever", but the desire to race remained.
The fear of falling again haunted her return at every step.
"There were a lot of mental demons I had to get over and I certainly did not start back up at the top," she said.
"It took me a long time to overcome my fear of falling and potentially doing the same injury or worse."
Boyer began competing again one year after the accident and has since scored many ski racing accolades.
Last year alone, Boyer became the top ranked Australian female ski racer, Mallee Sport Academy's 2023 Sports Star of the Year, and winner of the 2023 European ski championship series.
She also won the Austrian championships and was runner-up in the 2023 world ski championships, which she competed in with a fractured knee.
"I like a challenge and I wanted to overcome that fear and know I was happy on the skis," she said.
"I never wanted to leave the sport or be forced to leave the sport."
Near death experience
When Boyer fell during the Geelong competition, she said she didn't realise the extent of her injuries.
"When I got to the hospital I thought I was okay," she said.
"They said they were just waiting on some scans, but then it all changed really quickly."
Boyer was sent to the Alfred Hospital, where the halo brace was fitted.
The brace caused numerous side effects that affected Boyer's everyday life.
"The brace meant I had a lot of vestibular function issues, that led me to not be able to follow lines on the page, but it also came with a lot of nausea," she said.
Boyer said she couldn't travel in cars, watch TV or even look at her phone.
"There were a lot of other side effects I struggled with for two years after," she said.
The dangers of ski racing
In 2021, Edith Cowan University conducted an analysis of fatal injuries as a result of sporting or recreational activities between July 2000 and December 2019.
The study recorded 20 water skiing deaths during the period, making up 24.4 per cent of all boating sport deaths in Australia.
Last month, the death of experienced water skier Luke Wentworth while competing at the Southern 80 race in Moama again raised questions about safety of the sport.
Seven people have died while taking part in the race since 1987.
The Mildura Ski Club's biggest annual event, the Mildura 100, will take place over the Easter long weekend.
Club president Brandan McGlynn said a tragic accident such as the death of Mr Wentworth sent shock waves through the entire ski community.
"It is a massive family sport and it is one massive community and everyone knows everyone," he said.
"A tragic event like that does hit home with a lot of people."
McGlynn said competitors were aware of the risks.
"It can happen to anyone, no matter how fast you're going and no matter where you are," he said.
"It is a risk we all take, but it is part of it."
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