The Will to Fly is a 2016 feature documentary film about the Australian Olympic freestyle skier gold medalist Lydia Lassila.
The film was produced by Katie Bender Wynn who co-directed with Leo Baker. The film made its Australian premiere in Melbourne on International Women's Day (8 March), 2016 followed by a theatrical release where it was positively received by critics.
The Will to Fly is the story of Olympic Champion Lydia Lassila who, as a young mum and against all the odds competing in one of the world's most dangerous sports, dares to reach for an almost impossible dream.
The film takes us on a journey through the genesis of LydiaâÂÂs tenacity; from the missed opportunities with her first love, gymnastics, to her transition into an aerial skiing career of extreme highs and lows in the worldâÂÂs most competitive and decorated team. After winning the gold medal at her third Olympic games in 2010, Lydia became a mother. She then returned to aerial skiing with the intent of becoming the first woman to perform the sport's most complex acrobatic manoeuvre; an ambitious benchmark she set for herself when she first discovered the sport, and one that had only ever been achieved by male aerialists before her.
The film chronicles LydiaâÂÂs lifelong pursuit to reach personal fulfilment by achieving her true potential, on the world stage at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
In October 2015, before the release of The Will To Fly, the film was used as a catalyst in convincing NSW (Australian) parliament to invest in a $10 million Olympic training facility so that the Australian Winter Olympic team could train on home soil.
"It has been 10 years in the making, but AustraliaâÂÂs Winter Olympic leaders finally have the green light to build a water ramp facility they believe will underpin future international success".
NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres announced in June 2016 that the $10 million facility will be built at the Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre at Lennox Head in subtropical northern NSW.
"The godfather of Australian winter sport, Olympic Winter Institute chairman Geoff Henke, believes a screening of a documentary on LassilaâÂÂs preparation for the Sochi Winter Olympics, The Will to Fly, in the NSW parliament house this year achieved the breakthrough. Ayres and his office staff all attended, as did Treasury staff".
âÂÂThatâÂÂs when they understood what it was all about. Henke said."
In August 2017, Olympic champion hurdler Sally Pearson made headlines worldwide after coming out of retirement to win the 2017 world championship title. Pearson told the media that her comeback to sport was motivated after watching The Will To Fly film on a plane in 2016.
"The acclaimed movie âÂÂThe Will to Flyâ struck a chord with Pearson and triggered a series of events that ultimately led to her triumphant return in London." âÂÂI was on a plane going from the Gold Coast,â Pearson said. âÂÂI was scrolling through the movies on the TV and came across it.
âÂÂHer resilience to get back and get to the top again was truly inspirational.âÂÂ
The Rio Olympics were about to start but Pearson wasnâÂÂt there to defend her crown because injuries had forced her withdrawal just a few weeks earlier.
âÂÂI was in such a horrible dark place, more so because IâÂÂm such a harsh critic of myself,â Pearson told the BBC.
âÂÂWhen I missed the Olympics, I hated everything, I hated everyone and I didnâÂÂt want to be anywhere.
âÂÂI wanted to run away but there was a voice in the back of my head saying, âÂÂBut what if, what if, what ifâÂÂ.
âÂÂI watched her movie and she had those what ifs and she still did it, Lydia came out better for it.âÂÂ
By the time sheâÂÂd left Gold Coast airport, the 2012 Olympic champion had decided she would not only return to her sport but would also coach herself.
âÂÂI was on a bit of a downer at that moment, IâÂÂd been let down by a few people,â Pearson said.
âÂÂMy injuries have been a result of maybe bad coaching, bad choices as well.
âÂÂI didnâÂÂt really know what I wanted and whether to stay in the sport, whether to retire.
âÂÂThen I thought, âÂÂWhat the hell am I going to do? I donâÂÂt really have anything else but my sportâÂÂ.
âÂÂI walked off the plane and still had the movie stuck in my head.
âÂÂAs soon as I walked out the door of the airport, I was like, âÂÂRight I am coaching myself, IâÂÂm going stay in sport and weâÂÂll see what happens.âÂÂ
Pearson, 30, went back to training and within 12 months was the champion of the world again.
âÂÂAs soon as I made that decision everything seemed light again and easy and I made choices, I made the right choices,â she said.
âÂÂThe main thing you have to have is resilience. I found that in me after watched I that movie, I found the resilience I needed to come back.
âÂÂSo I want to send huge thanks (to Lydia) for her putting that movie out which I choose to watch.âÂÂ