Peter Makrides is an Australian skeleton athlete who began his career in 2015. Since then, he has progressed through the international ranks to represent Australia on the world stage, making his World Cup debut in the United States in 2022. In 2023, Peter competed at the World Championships in Switzerland, continuing to establish himself as a presence in elite skeleton racing and aspiring Olympian.
We sat down with Peter during the filming of our LIVE HARD campaign to get to know him more and the heart-pumping sport of Skeleton.
1. For the uninitiated: how do you explain the sport of skeleton to someone without sounding completely unhinged?
We drive a heavy sled/boogie board on our stomachs down essentially an iced-over water slide.
2. At what point in your life did you decide, “yeah, headfirst down an ice track at 140km/h feels like a solid plan?
I grew up karting, then in my early 20s did a bit of speedriding so I was always drawn to speed. So feeling that speed and the G forces sounded very cool. Having a huge, ridiculous goal like the Olympics was also very exciting.
3. What’s the very last thought you have before you launch yourself down the track?
My intentions for the session are usually a cue for my first leg drive.
4. What’s the biggest lie people believe about skeleton?
That it's easy, and you can just lie on the sled.
5. What’s the toughest thing about being an Aussie in a winter sport that mostly lives on the other side of the world?
The massive amount of time and money flying, just to get to the tracks and not being able to go home for a few days or a week, like most other nations can if there’s a little break in training.
6. How wrecked is your body after a full training week and what hurts that people wouldn’t expect?
Honestly, you just want to lie on a couch the rest of the afternoon. You’re absolutely drained. It’s not uncommon for people to have heavily bruised arms.
7. Be honest: worst crash, biggest scare, or “I might rethink my life choices” moment?
Never had any big crashes, thankfully, but a significant concussion with a 6-month recovery was very scary on my health.
8. What separates a good run from a great one; skill, courage, chaos, or blind commitment?
It feels effortless and free-flowing.
9. Why do you keep coming back to a sport that is objectively terrifying?
The constant pursuit of working to get a little bit better.
10. Final one - what does living hard mean to you?
Relentlessly pushing yourself to your limit and sometimes past it.
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