When Parkite Marin Hamill tore her ACL and meniscus at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she didn’t know how long her road back would be. The recovery for that injury, following surgery, is typically around 6-12 months.
Hamill’s injury would unfortunately necessitate a second surgery last year. That surgery hampered her quad muscle, which would make the process even longer. The 23 year old battled the entire recovery process out here in Park City at the U.S. Ski Team’s Center of Excellence.
Hamill returned to competition a few weeks ago at the first slopestyle World Cup of the season in Stubai, Austria. She finished fourth in that competition, something she was very proud of. Hamill will be competing in all seven remaining slopestyle and big air Cups this season.
There will be four more slopestyle Cups this season and five big air, some overlapping. From Jan. 30-Feb. 6, the tour stops in Aspen for a Cup with both and halfpipe events.
“It’s super exciting to be back on tour after my injury,” said Hamill. “It took a lot of time and hard work, but I’m stoked to be competing again in events all over the world with my friends and teammates.”
Hamill didn’t put much pressure on herself in Stubai. She was just happy to complete a run amidst challenging conditions, pleasantly surprised to score so well.
Hamill’s main goals this year are to enjoy being back on tour and hopefully qualify for the year-end World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland. She has extreme gratitude to be able to do what she does for a living. Hamill will also be doing some ski filming throughout the year.
“My main goal has always been to have fun and enjoy skiing,” said Hamill. “I feel extremely grateful and lucky to have turned my passion into a career and to get the chance to travel all over the world because of it.”
The Parkite thanked her parents and the U.S. team’s staff for helping her get back on tour. She said she had all the tools and support she needed at their center.
Hamill also leans on the team when she’s traveling the world all winter. The Parkite acknowledged it can be incredibly tough to be away from home for so long.
“I get to travel with some of my closest friends, which makes it so much more fun,” added Hamill. “ It’s always a cool experience to explore different places around the world.”
When Hamill’s back in town, her favorite stops are the pickleball courts, her parents home and her home, where she likes to hangout with her dog and cats.
Hamill will next compete at the Klagenfurt, Austria Cup Jan. 3-4. To track her progress in Klagenfurt and throughout the season, see her FIS page.
The freeski team also has plenty other Parkites like Colby Stevenson, who won the Stubai Cup, Troy Podmilsak and more. To follow the circuit, see it’s FIS page. To watch the freeski Cups, see the U.S. team’s website for where to locate them.