Jacqui Cooper

Jacqui Cooper is an entrepreneur, an author and a former Olympian skier. She is also the mother of three children; all born using IVF science and technology. Using skills from her sports tool box, Jacqui has created new products that are needed, used and wanted by Australians. She is the author of two books and the founder of Food For Me, a range of gluten free products that includes Australia’s first complete set of gluten free doughs endorsed by Coeliac Australia’s gluten free “guarantee” program.

Jacqui’s story is one of self-belief, passion, triumph, tragedy and the ability to overcome adversity

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Jacqui Cooper represented Australia in the sport of Aerial Skiing for over 20 years, beginning her career in 1989 at Mt Buller with the Techne Team. Within three years she was representing her country at the World Championships in Lake Placid New York; by 1994 she competed at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics. In 1999, just 10 years after starting her sport she became a World Champion. Over the next 10 years she dominated and revolutionised her sport.

In a very long and decorated career Jacqui Cooper competed in 139 World Cup Events, nine World Championships and was selected to five Winter Olympic Teams. When Jacqui competed in Vancouver in February 2010 she became the first Australian woman in history (Summer or Winter Olympics) to represent Australia at five Games. Her record five world titles, 39 World Cup medals, 24 World Cup wins and three major World Championship medals left Jacqui as the greatest Aerial skier of all time (man or woman); an achievement that will go unbeaten for decades.

Jacqui Cooper’s sport is unforgiving; she has had knee, elbow, shoulder and hip reconstructions. In 2001, she broke her back in an attempt to win a record 3rd World Title; she went on and won it. In 2002 at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics she injured her knee and broke her leg, just two days before the Olympic competition ending years of dreaming, willing and wanting.

Jacqui has devoted time to various Sporting Committees around the world, including Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Board, the AOC Athlete’s Commission (Deputy Chair), Ski and Snowboard Australia Board, the Australian Institute of Sport Athletes Commission, the International Ski Federation (FIS) Athletes Committee, the FIS Freestyle Athletes Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Athlete’s Committee and the WADA education committee.

She has also devoted time to speaking to primary, secondary, and university/TAFE students about living a healthy lifestyle, making smart choices, nutrition, being young role models, dreaming BIG, being active and goal setting. Jacqui has travelled to remote aboriginal communities as far as Darwin and beyond spending time promoting all things healthy with a heavy focus on ‘SAY NO’ to alcohol, petrol sniffing and smoking.

Jacqui is the author of two books – Frozen Hope for couples undergoing or embarking on the sometimes very long and emotional IVF journey, and It Took Three to Make Me an illustrated book that explains the IVF process to children. She is the founder of Food For Me, a range of gluten free foods manufactured in a fully gluten free facility in Langwarrin, Victoria and sold in IGA stores in VIC, QLD and NSW.

Jacqui has won many awards in recognition for her achievements in sport and for her involvement in the community. During her career she was honoured as the Victorian ‘Young Australian of the Year’ for Sport, Victorian Sports Woman of the year and Ski and Snowboard Athlete of the year. In 2008 she was presented with the ‘Governor’s Award’ at the Vic Sports Awards for being a role model, a champion, and a woman who is successful in sport and life. Since 2010, she has been La Trobe Financial’ s Company Ambassador.