Nineteen years on skis, constant travel around the world and broken bones - welcome to the life of a freeskier.
Hamish McDougall, of Wanaka, began skiing at the age of 3, and took up freestyle skiing at 14 before starting a competitive career, predominantly in slopestyle, the event in which he hopes to gain a top-16 finish in at the Winter Games.
He has competed as far afield as the United States, Argentina and Norway, and during his time skiing and training has suffered a broken humerus, collarbone and leg.
McDougall, a member of the New Zealand high performance development team, has taken a break from studying law at the University of Otago to pursue his skiing career, with the goal of competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and the 2018 Winter Olympics.
McDougall said a driving factor in his passion for skiing was his competitive nature, combined with a twin brother, Fraser, who also skis and with whom he is constantly competing.
''We are always trying to out-do each other,'' he said.
Although the sport was high-risk, McDougall said being an adrenaline junkie was not a requirement.
''If you are careful, the sport can be quite safe.''
McDougall said being included in events such as the Winter Games and Winter Olympics were good for freeskiing as it had previously not been considered a serious sport.
''It is relatively a baby sport at the moment, but with events like the Olympics it is gaining a bit more credibility and exposure.''
The freeski slopestyle world cup qualifiers are at Cardrona Alpine Resort tomorrow, with finals on Sunday.
Hamish McDougall
The facts
Age: 22
Home: Wanaka
Years freeskiing: Eight
Discipline: Slopestyle
Best results: 15th in FIS world cup slopestyle, Ushuaia (2012), 32nd in world championships slopestyle, Norway (2013).
Best trick: Double cork 1260
