Katie Blundell Interview

Tignes-Spirit rider Katie Blundell has had a whirlwind year. After unexpectedly swiping the top spot at the BRITS Big Air event last winter, this awesome, down to earth lady is hot stuff in the snowboarding world right now! Katie has established herself as a hard-riding chick with amazing technique and the guts to go with it, and we reckon that this lovely, laid back lady from Devon is destined to go far. Here, we get the lowdown from her and find out what makes her tick…

Where are you at the moment?

Perisher, Australia

What’s the terrain like there?

Kinda weird, funny trees, rocks and bushes everywhere! The runs aren’t that long or steep but there is a lot of jibbing everywhere. It’s just quite a fun mountain, a no pressure mountain! They have wombats and possums roaming around here too which is pretty cool.

Did you have a break after your Northern hemisphere winter?

Yes, three weeks back in the UK, in sunny Devon!

Do back to back winters take their toll?

Not so far, I find it easier to pick up where I left off if I don’t have a massive break in between seasons. As soon as I stop riding, all my injuries start to hurt more!!

Do you ever miss the summer?

Yeh, a lot. I love summer. But at the moment snowboarding is more important, summer will always be there! Even if I just get a week or 2 week fix of sunshine at some point it will be enough to keep me happy!

How does it feel to be current BRITS BIG AIR champ?

Haha, yeh still cant quite believe it, really really happy! Although I still feel that other riders deserved it more than me, think I was just mega lucky on the day!!

What did you do to train and prepare for the BRITS last year?

Pretty much didn’t drink till after the Brits, think that really helped!! We went to Tahoe and rode ALOT, pushing myself to try new things and hit things out of my normal comfort zone. I try to at least attempt something new everyday, no matter how small. I also entered a couple of smaller comps in the states to try and learn how to control my nerves! Still got so nervous at the Brits though, so it didn’t really work!

Has there been a lot of pressure to perform since the Brits?

No, not at all. Don’t think anyone in oz has heard of the Brits and definitely haven’t heard of me. So there is no pressure from anyone here, I’m just having fun! I think if I do some indoor comps when I get back to the UK I’ll get nervous and I’ll put the pressure on myself then.

Where’s your favourite place to ride?

Lots of places for different reasons. Falls Creek Australia! Such a good atmosphere in the park, everyone’s so friendly. And when I’m in a happy park, I progress more. Then Northstar in Tahoe, just because the park is epic. And of course Tignes, its where I learnt to ride and I have spent a lot of time there.

Apart from riding for Tignes-Spirit.com, are there any other sponsors in the pipeline?

Yeh Ride Snowboards really kindly hooked me up after the Brits, really stoked about it! I also got hook ups with Dalikfodda and Drop Googles and Gloves. And we will see what the future holds!!

What’s the trick that never sticks?

Lots of them! Front Nose or a true Front Board…what ever you want to call it! I think they look really styley when tweeked out on the nose, but I’ve always struggled with them as I tend to do them on my tail. Been working on them this season!

Who’s your favourite person to ride with and why?

Rich, because hes cool, hahaha! I like to ride with anyone that wants to have fun, try new things and doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

What’s on the cards for next winter?

I’m going back to Tahoe. Going to do some filming with Heel Edge Projects as there is a big girly crew heading out there. We are going to do lots of road trips, explore the states a bit more. Id also like to get more into my street riding next season, Tahoe’s the place to do it! I want to learn lots of new tricks in the park too and also want to concentrate on getting cooler style into my riding!!

Are there any projects/films you’re currently working on?

My boyfriend (Rich Jonas) and I are working on a mini edit from Perisher so far this season, should be out soon! And Lynsey Ashdown and Helen Fox are currently busy putting together this seasons Heel Edge Projects, an all girls UK snowboard movie which I’m involved in to be released autumn 2010.

The world is ending tomorrow. List 10 things you’ve got to do today!

Eat lots of chocolate/cake/ice cream because it wouldn’t matter if I turned into a whale

then maybe have a bath of chocolate

try and see all my friends and family to say goodbye

Throw myself off some big kickers and try stuff that would probably finish me off anyway

get all my money(which isnt much) and buy something really extravagant…..

maybe do a naked run on the mountain just to see what it feels like

quickly travel to a far off land for the day, maybe Timbuck 2

do a sky dive

oh and base jumping

go to a really good party

Skinnies or baggies. Where do you stand on that?

Skinnies, well, I would like to go skinnier but I have to wear knee braces on both legs from old injuries so I cant. But you should wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

Any other sports float your boat?

Gymnastics, dance (is that a sport?), trampolining, anything that’s kinda acrobatic and creative.

Do you think it’s difficult being a British snowboarder?

Never really thought about it so I guess not! Its maybe abit harder for us than people who have the mountains on there doorsteps. But we have snowdomes that have snow all year round!!!so haha!

Are there enough developmental projects available in the UK for snowboarding?

Yeh, there is heaps of stuff going on for snowboarding. Camps, lessons, competitions etc. There is a lot more girl specific stuff now too. I think Heel Edge Projects in particular has really motivated UK female snowboarders to get filming and to get involved in the girls snowboard scene. Its definitely helped push my riding this last season

Do you need to be a certain type of person to be a competitive snowboarder?

I think so. Reckon you need to be someone that likes to push themselves and has a drive to learn new things and better themselves and isn’t afraid to try things.

Anything else you’d like to say??!
Thank you, happy shredding!!

Thank you Katie!!

Check out Katie’s most recent edit right here or the HeelEdge Projects Teaser below and wet your appetite for the enslaught of winter!