Kirsty Muir, an aspiring Olympic freestyle skier from Aberdeen, has shared her unique approach to managing competition nerves. During an interview with Gabby Logan on The Sports Agents podcast, Muir revealed how her family copes with her high-risk sport.
Kirsty Muir’s Family and Their Concerns
Muir’s family experiences significant anxiety when she competes. Her grandmother avoids watching her events altogether. Muir explained, “My nanny will still not even watch me! She’s like, ‘I’ll probably put it on, but as soon as you come on, I’m not watching!’”
Her mother also finds it nerve-wracking due to the dangers associated with freestyle skiing. “My mum used to really struggle with watching me compete when I started, like, the really big jumps. But she’s a bit better now,” Muir explained.
Harnessing Free Diving to Overcome Competition Nerves
In an effort to control her nerves, Muir has embraced an unconventional technique: free diving. She noted that this method has significantly aided her in handling pressure. “We went into the quarry and went down to kind of 15 metres. It was really, really interesting, because it put us in a quite a high-pressure situation in which we really needed to calm down,” she said.
Muir described a specific moment in her free diving experience where she felt panic but successfully managed to calm herself. “I was really proud because I did kind of overcome that panic. And now I feel like I’ve taken that a bit into skiing,” she stated.
Additional Techniques: Music and Mindfulness
Besides free diving, Muir also listens to music while competing. This practice is allowed in freestyle skiing and helps her focus. “I have some music in my ear. I just wear it in one ear and I just kind of zone into that,” she shared.
As the competition approaches, she consciously tries to relax and zone out, stating, “I don’t like hearing anything else… It’s just my phone. I have my phone in my pocket!”
Summary of Techniques
- Free diving for pressure management.
- Listening to music to maintain focus.
- Practicing mindfulness techniques to calm nerves.
As Kirsty Muir continues her journey towards the Winter Olympics, her methods of harnessing free diving to overcome competition nerves demonstrate her dedication and innovative approach to the sport.
