Alpine skiing: Tick's timely catalyst

Piera Hudson.

Hawke's Bay may not see her compete but a tick of approval from the province to realise her Winter Olympic dreams means a lot to Piera Hudson.

Hudson is a regional junior sportsperson of the year finalist for the ceremony at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale, on May 21.

"It means a lot just to be nominated because Sport Hawke's Bay has always supported me," says Hudson soon after returning home to Havelock North to reveal she'll attend the region's gala awards.

The 20-year-old was a finalist last year as well for the first time but cyclist Regan Gough etched his name on the silverware.

"Skiing isn't a popular sport in the Bay, of course, so that's why it's a privilege to be there on a great night."

With Sport NZ not funding alpine skiing, the Hudson family have established Coastal Cowhides as a fundraising initiative to cover Hudson's $120,000 10-month programme, donating 100 per cent of the proceeds from sales.

Recognising her potential, Erskine and Owen NZ Property Investment & Management and The Burnett Charitable Trust have contributed towards Hudson's Olympics campaign.

Cowhide products can be bought via www.coastalcowhides.co.nz or fans can make tax-deductible donations to the NZ Alpine Ski Foundation Charitable Trust.