How did you get involved in snowsports?
I’ve been skiing and snowboarding since I was really small – I learned to ski as soon as I could walk, basically! And I started snowboarding when I was 9 years old so I’ve always done it. Because I come from Austria it’s my natural sport, so I was always into it. I already knew about YUsnow and I emailed them before I came; I was really keen!
How do you train?
[YUsnow offers] different kinds of training – dry slope is an hour-and-a-half away; it’s indoor and plastic – it’s like snowboarding and skiing on toothbrushes! We go there once a week for two hours.
Does YUsnow enter competitions?
It’s not the same as a football team or something, but we do have two races a year for BUCS. At the Dry Slope Championships in Edinburgh I just had a bad day, which really frustrated me. At the British University Snowsports Championships in France I got two gold medals, one for boarder-cross and one of them was the parallel slalom. At the British University Indoor Championships I got two gold medals for giant slalom, one in the regionals and one in the finals, which I was really happy with.
Do you compete for any other clubs?
At the moment I only compete for the University of York but this Easter I tried out for the British national team for snowboard cross-discipline. I have a provisional offer, but am waiting to hear back for an official offer. I want to scream the news from the rooftops, but can’t just yet!
Do you want to be a professional snowboarder?
Last year I did my snowboard instructor qualification, but I’m a bit scared that I might not be a good teacher, even though I’m a good snowboarder! But if I get in I’ll be racing for the British team as well. I would like, obviously, to be a professional snowboarder, but realistically I have to have a plan B – to become a sports psychologist.
Snowboarding is said to be inspired by skateboarding, skiing, surfing and sledging. Have you tried any of these?
Well, yes, I ski but I’m really bad at skateboarding! I’ve done a bit of sledging and I’ve had one surf lesson but I wasn’t that great! You’d think I’d be good at it but it was so different to snowboarding!
Can you do tricks and jumps?
I’m really bad at freestyle! I attempt, but no I can’t! I’m all about racing and slalom.
Apparently, the risk of head injury is six times greater for snowboarders than skiers…
I did not know that! Well, I always wear a helmet. Normally I wear my back protector. The only injury I’ve had was when I was hit by a skier.
Where’s the most impressive place you’ve snowboarded?
I’ve done all my snowboarding mainly in Austria, France and Switzerland really. For me it’s not exotic because I’m from Austria but some people might think it is. I want to take a gap year in New Zealand to go snowboarding.
Snowsports are so popular but there are still so many people who’ve never tried! Is it easy to learn?
Oh yes, definitely. If they’re committed to it and come to the lessons then sure! It’s good fun!