Alpine ski racer Ruby Fullerton has secured her place representing New Zealand at the World Junior Championships in Norway, but covering the cost of competing remains a challenge.
The 19-year-old Nelsonian is the 2025 New Zealand junior champion in both the slalom and giant slalom, as well as the overall junior champion. She has been selected to compete in the slalom and giant slalom at the World Junior Championships and has so far funded the trip herself.
As day one of the competition approaches, Ruby’s family is relying increasingly on community support to help bridge the gap. Her mum Penny says the cost of training, equipment and international travel has been higher than expected.
“We’re quite a bit short still, which is hard. It would be great for Ruby to be able to simply concentrate on the events, but that is a nature of a self-funded sport. Any contribution from the community, no matter how big or small, would be hugely appreciated. Just go to the ‘give a little’ website and type in her name.”
Ruby is currently in Italy preparing for the championships, a long way from Rainbow Ski Area where she first learned to ski as a toddler. Penny says Ruby has spent her life on the slopes.
“Ruby first put on a pair of skis when she was two and began training and racing when she was eight. It’s been her life ever since, and she’s so happy to be racing at the Junior Worlds.”
Over the last decade, Ruby has spent her northern hemisphere winters training and competing in Japan, Italy, Austria, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden as she worked towards qualifying for major international events. Now that she is set to race at the Junior World Championships, the goal is to make it through qualifying and into the final 30 competitors.
The Junior World Ski Championships run from 5 to 15 March. Coverage of Ruby’s events in New Zealand will be available on YouTube via the FIS Alpine channel.
