In 2000, at just 14, Nick Watts was discovered at a ski camp held by Camp Quality (a not-for-profit organisation assisting children with cancer and their families), where his ski instructor introduced him to the organiser of the NSW Sports Council for the Disabled. Less than three later, he was representing Australia in France.

When he was eight years old, Nick was diagnosed with bone cancer which resulted in him losing the lower part of his left leg. At his first Winter Paralympics in Torino, he competed in every event and is hoping to finish in the top 20 for two of his events in Vancouver. He describes crossing the finish line in the downhill in Torino as one of his greatest achievements and sees merely competing for Australia as a great honour and privilege.

At the 2009 NorAm Championships in the United States, Nick showed that his Paralympic Games preparations were well on track, when he surged to an outstanding victory in the Super G. He labels that one of the best of his career.

When he’s not skiing, Nick enjoys spearfishing and eating salmon. He loves good food, good wine and good company and reserves artichokes as his only hate. He is currently studying biomedical engineering at the University of Sydney and uses Lance Armstrong as inspiration for success in his skiing career.