For the first time in Girlylegs history, we have bagged an interview with an X-Games TRIPLE gold medalist!  There aren’t too many of those knocking about you know!  Jenny Jones is an international slopestyle superstar, but you wouldn’t guess it if you met her.  The Bristol born shredder and Relentless Energy team rider is as down to earth and normal as anyone who gets to travel the globe doing what they love.

After a slow start to her season due to an unfortunate skateboarding injury, Jenny headed across the Atlantic to the Winter X-Games in Aspen, where she proved herself again, taking yet another podium finish.

Congratulations on getting Silver at the US X Games, how did it feel to be on the podium again?

Thanks, it felt  great to make it to the podium as it was the first contest for me this year and I wasn’t to sure how my level of riding would be compared to the rest of the field. I was injured in November and so was not fully back riding until middle of January.

Is there now more or less pressure to take Gold at the European X Games?

I am not really sure, I have not been thinking about this as I have been focusing on other goals, tricks, trips and contests this year. I think I will maybe feel a little pressure to do well as I won gold last year at euro x but every year is new and I try to approach it with fresh eyes and enthusiasm.

You are currently in Oslo having been invited to compete at this years Arctic Challenge,  how does it feel to be one of the first women invited to such a prestigious competition?

It feels brilliant and I am honoured to ride at the Arctic Challenge. I just hope I ride well and don’t let the side down for the girls, oh and I hope I get a photo with Terje!

You had a late start to the season due to injury, how do you cope with the down time?

I was just rehabing and focusing on staying fit and adapting my training programme around the injury issues. I also watch tv, hung out with my boyfriend and got all domesticated with my new flat, ha.

We have heard that you have been landing 9′s in training, how close are you to stomping them in your run?

Not going to lie, not that close.

We hear you are a keen surfer, would you ever switch focus from snowboarding to surfing?

I love surfing but only as a hobby, it would be arrogant of me to ever think I could be a competitve surfer.  It takes years of practice and I am definitely not as confident in water as I am on snow. I am happy to stick to the smaller waves, enjoy the sunshine and wear less bulky clothes all day.

A lot of UK Groms say that you are the person they look up to in snowboarding, how does that make you feel?

Really ? I think thats rad, especially as I am not much of a rail rider and will be the first to admit that. I feel alot of grom indoor riders could kick my ass on techy rail tricks, ha. I guess jumping wise I am glad I am inspiring groms to get out there and hit kickers. British riders can be as good as any rider; put the hard work in aim high and things can be achieved.

Who do you look upto?

People who have found true love and it works.

It is inspiring to see your riding get more technical and solid as you got older, and in a sport with more and more up and comers, do you ever feel age related pressure?

Not yet. Every year there are new kids on the block and thats great to see and I guess it keeps the sport moving and developing. I feel happy with my age and realise I am one of the older ones now but I like to try and stay fit and healthy and the rest is in your mind.

How much, if at all, do you feel age effects performance in snowboarding?

I feel it is down to staying fit and healthy, this can be a real draw back if you get tons of injuries. I think as you go through the years you gain more experience and its more to do with your own personal goals as to whether you keep progressing at the high level.  If your goals and desires in life begin to change, I think that is when your riding can start to mellow out. Not necessarily because you physically are not able, but more because mentally you are deciding to choose another path and the drive for snowboarding is no longer near the top of the list. I think this is completely different for each person.

Do you have any advice for the girls who want to follow in your footsteps?

Practice, just ride lots but ride with goals whether it be powder slashes, street rails, going fast, hitting jumps.  Have mellow days, but have days with an aim, set yourself small bite size goals and be honest as to whether your achieving them.  If your struggling with tricks or confidence, ask mates with experience for advice, watch videos, look at things from different angles.  Try to be clear of when you are too scared to try something because you are genuinely not ready, and when you are scared to try something but need to just go ahead and do it anyway to get over or through it.

Has it ever been awkward being a better snowboarder than a boyfriend?  Would you ever try and teach a complete beginner to ride if he was unbelievably hot?

My boyfriend is unbelievably hot to me and he can’t snowboard, I am taking him snowboarding in a few weeks time so will just have to wait and see how that goes, ha.

How do you stay healthy?

Eat smaller amounts four or five times a day. Mixed diet, sometimes extra protein shakes to keep my muscles going during contests. Lots of water. All the usual stuff really. Maybe a few extra vitamins here and there. Berocca when I think I might be getting sick.

Jenny rides for Relentless Energy Drink and last year made this video with filmer Johannes Östergard for the Relentless ‘Short Stories’ project.

What are your plans for the future? Working in the industry, coaching?

Who knows. I really enjoy coaching and try to give advice when I am asked from younger folk, so maybe this is something I would like to explore in the future. I get a genuine feeling of satisfaction when I see someone progress well with their riding and so I am sure this area of work will be something I’d like to get involved in, in the future.

Jenny Jones is sponsored by Billabong, Salomon, Oakley, Nixon,  Les Ettes and Relentless Energy Drink