Lydia Lassila
Suzuki announced its partnership with Olympic gold medal-winning aerial skier Lydia Lassila in February 2011.
Lydia is the current aerial skiing World Cup Champion and World Record holder and the first brand ambassador for Suzuki Australia.
The partnership is a timely and valued addition for the 29-year-old gold medalist.
“The first car I ever wanted was a Suzuki Vitara and now I’m very happy to be sitting behind the wheel of one,” she said.
“The Grand Vitara is so easy to drive in everyday city traffic, and I can’t wait to test out the 4×4 system when I take it to the alps in winter. ”
Lydia capped off a brilliant two years of aerial skiing competition at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, reaching the very top of her sport in more ways than one.
The AIS scholarship holder set a new Olympic record point score in winning the gold medal with a seemingly nerveless performance, becoming only the fifth Australian to reach the top of a Winter Olympic podium.
The most successful Australian aerial skier of our generation will resume training later this year as part of her campaign to defend her Gold Medal at Sochi in Russia in 2014, but this time as a mother.
With the new arrival of her first child in May, her new Grand Vitara is shaping as the ultimate all-rounder.
“I love the keyless entry and it is so easy to drive and park, yet there’s so much room inside. My golf clubs are always in the Grand Vitara and getting them in and out with ease has been great practice for packing all of the baby’s gear!”
Lydia joins an extensive Suzuki sponsorship portfolio including brand ambassador roles with world champion kiteboarder, Andy Yates, and NRL superstar Billy Slater and partnerships with Ski & Snowboard Australia and the Melbourne Storm.
Lydia Lassila Career Highlights
World Cup Podiums
World Cup Wins = 11
World Cup Silver = 11
World Cup Bronze = 8
World Cup Overall
2002-2003 = 2nd
2003- 2004 = 2nd
2004 – 2005 = 2nd
2005- 2006 = injured
2006-2007 = injured
2007- 2008 = 2nd
2008-2009 = 1st
Olympic Games
Salt Lake City – 8thPlace
Torino – 14thPlace
Vancouver – 1stplace
Current World Record Holder:
220.91 Deer Valley, Utah USA 2010 (Jump combination: Lay- Double Full- Full & Lay- Full- Full)
Current Olympic Record Holder:
214.74 Cypress Mountain, Canada (Jump combination: Lay- Double Full- Full & Lay- Full- Full)
Honours:
2010 Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the year
2010 Ski and Snowboard Athlete of the Year
2010 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Don Award
2010 Governor’s Award for Victorian Sportsperson of the Year
2010 Victorian Female Athlete of the Year- Kitty McEwan Award
2010 Victorian Institute of Sport –Athlete of the Year Award
