Stephanie Ratcliffe, a young athlete hailing from Melbourne, has a penchant for thrilling sports such as wakeboarding and snowboarding, a passion that resonates with her love for the “adrenaline rush.” Recently, Ratcliffe achieved a remarkable feat in the hammer throw discipline, breaking the Australian record set by Bronwyn Eagles in 2003 by nearly two meters. Her monumental throw of 73.11 meters at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) east and west preliminaries earned her a spot in the upcoming NCAA finals in Austin this June.

Coinciding with her record-breaking achievement, Ratcliffe graduated from Harvard University with a neuroscience degree, making the day even more special for her. Though she couldn’t attend the ceremony due to her hammer throw competition, Ratcliffe expressed the profound significance of both accomplishments aligning on the same day. The past two years, dominated by the global impact of COVID-19, saw Ratcliffe engaged in wakeboarding at Victoria’s Goughs Bay and snowboarding at Mount Buller upon returning from college.

Reflecting on her record-breaking day in Jacksonville, Ratcliffe highlighted the role of adrenaline and the presence of high-level athletes in the competition, which greatly aided her performance. Nervous yet driven, Ratcliffe executed her game plan flawlessly, focusing on securing a safe throw to qualify for nationals before unleashing her full potential. Her exceptional result propelled her to victory and brought about an overwhelming surge of emotions, shared with her coach and family.

While Ratcliffe has graduated from Harvard University, she will continue her athletic pursuits in the United States after signing with the University of Georgia Track and Field team. Despite representing Australia in senior competitions at the Oceania championships in 2019 and 2022, Ratcliffe’s hunger for success remains unquenched as she sets her sights on the world championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ratcliffe described the pursuit of that perfect throw, where everything aligns seamlessly, as an exhilarating experience that she strives for in every competition.

In addition to the adrenaline rush, Ratcliffe finds solace in wakeboarding and snowboarding as activities where she can simply enjoy herself without the pressure of achieving excellence. These sports provide her with an outlet to unwind and relish moments with friends and family, regardless of her performance. Ratcliffe’s journey in athletics began at the age of five when she joined the Doncaster Athletic Club in Melbourne, primarily excelling in hurdles before transitioning to shot put and discus. However, it was the hammer throw that captured her heart, offering a blend of technicality and continuous improvement.

With each throw in the hammer discipline, Ratcliffe seeks a rhythmic connection to the implement, aiming for that perfect motion where everything feels harmonious. The objective nature of measuring distances in throwing events appeals to her, providing clear-cut goals for improvement. Ratcliffe thrives on the constant cycle of progress and adaptation, as strength gains necessitate adjustments in technique. She has steadily improved her personal best, reaching 61.81 meters by the end of 2021, followed by 64.04 meters in 2022 and an impressive 70-meter mark in March of this year.

Ratcliffe’s breakthrough performance in breaking the 20-year-old Australian record, surpassing it by a significant margin, can be attributed to her unwavering dedication to training. With the goal of breaking the record firmly set at the beginning of the season, Ratcliffe’s accomplishment far exceeded her expectations. The excitement she feels is a testament to her hard work paying off and her relentless pursuit of excellence in the hammer throw discipline.

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Photo Courtesy Nine’s Wide World of Sports

Courtesy Nine’s Wide World of Sports