Maisie Hill: Freestyle snowboarder back on slopes in aim to reach Winter Olympics

Maisie Hill was in the form of her life and had finished in the top 10 of two World Cup rounds this winter before the crash

Freestyle snowboarder Maisie Hill said she is on a "one-track road" to the Winter Olympics after returning to the slopes following a near-death crash.

The 22-year-old Great Britain athlete broke multiple bones and lost so much blood she almost died after the accident while training in Switzerland.

After a seven-month recovery period Hill is now back on her board.

She is aiming to compete in the World Cup series this winter as she builds up to Milano-Cortina 2026 qualification.

"I'm just going to be doing World Cups this season, I'm really excited for that, but there's no real rush at the moment," Hill told BBC Points West.

"It's in not this season but the next season that it's Olympic qualifying, so I'll work really hard next season as well and hopefully qualify for the Winter Olympics in Italy."

Snowboarder Maisie Hill suffered life-threatening injuries after crashing during a training session in Switzerland

Hill was left with a broken spine, ribs and pelvis, a fractured lung, bleed on the brain and a lacerated liver which caused her to lose 20% of her blood, after the fall where she came off a rail and careered into a wall of ice.

After returning home to Cheltenham she had to re-learn to walk, before spending months in the gym and pool rehabilitating.

"I've just kept a really good mindset throughout this whole thing. I was either going to let it ruin me or I was going to get back up, and I definitely got back up," Hill said.

"After seven months I was cleared from the doctor to go snowboarding again and I cried when I walked out of the hospital."

Hill spent a month in New Zealand snowboarding and while she initially found it "frustrating" taking it slowly, gradually she re-found herself.

"I built it up and by the end of it I was back to normal again," she said.

"By the end of it I would fall and not even think about my pelvis, and just get back up."

Strengthened determination

Hill had been enjoying the best year of her career before the accident, achieving two top 10s at World Cup rounds over the winter.

Speaking in the aftermath she said she was "glad" that it happened as it had only strengthened her determination to succeed in the sport.

"I'm stronger than I have ever been now," Hill said.

"I feel like not only my physical health has improved so much, because now I know how to actually use the gym properly because of my rehab and I feel so strong and that's done so much for my mental health as well."

Hill is working towards returning to competition in the new year, but reaching the Milano-Cortina Games is the ultimate target.

"I hope I can qualify and go to the Olympics, that's a big dream," Hill added.

"There's no other choice. It's a one-track road to be honest, I've just got to get there."