However, being a champion in both sports and sharing the limelight with your brother or sister makes it special.

Hannah Sugerman and Oliver Thompson have managed to carve an elite ski career for themselves, train and compete together in Australia and Canada and until recently share the same competition pony as well.

While not sharing the same surname has been a point of confusion for the young athletes for years

“Everyone asks us why we have different names, it does get annoying,” they said.

When their parents Cathy Sugerman and Angus Thompson married they decided Hannah would have Cathy’s surname.

Thirteen year old Hannah and eleven year old Oliver both attend Snowy Mountains Grammar School (SMGS), and later this month will leave Jindabyne for ski training and racing in Canada.

Hannah and Oliver members of the Australian Children’s Ski team and have trained over the last few years in slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill racing in Silver Star and Sun Peaks resorts in British Columbia, Canada.

Last year Hannah was Australian Champion in the under 12 years in alpine skiing and represented Australia at the Whistler Cup.

This year she moved to the under 14’s and won the Thredbo Cup. Shortly after, an injury to her shoulder put her out for three weeks and she could not race the Blue Cow Cup.

Hannah made it to the Australian Championships and has lifted her national ranking to 6th. She is on the Australian Children’s Team and is hoping to once again race at the Whistler Cup.

Oliver who is still in primary school won both the Thredbo and Blue Cow Cups this year and is currently ranked 2nd in Australia in the under 12’s. He is on the Australian Children’s Team and will be going to the Whistler Cup in April.

When not on the snow both children ride their horses competitively and are members of the SMGS Equestrian team and Jindabyne Pony Club. They are both coached by Tim Dreverman from Snowy Mountains Performance Horses and Les Friend from the Les Friend Riding Academy.

They also took part in the elite show jumping clinic held last weekend conducted by Olympic, World Cup and Australian team member Chris Chugg.

Their riding talent is not limited to the show jumping ring with Oliver winning Champion Boy Rider at several local horse shows this month.

Hannah would like to thank her ski sponsors Elan and the Jindabyne based Future Olympian Scholarship Fund. Oliver is grateful for the support he receives from Harrow’s Snowsports at Lake Crackenback Resort.