This year New Zealand is hosting season two of the Snow League World Challenge competition. The global event is run by renowned World Champion snowboarder Shaun White, as a revolutionary international competition that celebrates the league’s top snowboarder and freeskiing athletes on the halfpipe.
“It is the future of winter sports competition.” – Shaun White.
The event kicks off this September in Cardrona’s Alpine Resort, with 16 Snow League athletes divided into teams that represent four regions: North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe and The Challengers. Each team is made up of a one female and male snowboarder along with a female and male freeskier, competing individually to contribute to their teams final score.
It’s the pipeline of underdogs, medalists and stars, rallying together in the one league.
The inaugural challenge is the first ever team based competition that showcases the complexity of the sport, inviting selected athletes to compete as a way that propels the talent of rising athletes.
Athletes
New Zealand freeskier Luke Harrold is currently top of the leaderboard after his win in season one’s LAAX competition in Switzerland and is excited to bring the profession into his hometown.
“With the start of season two there’s a little bit less pressure coming into this event, but being in a team I just want to do my best as I can help the team as much as I can and we can all have fun.”
Mischa Thomas found the half pipe only four years ago after dedicating her training to freeskiing slope, making her way through a natural born talent in the pipe.
“That’s a funny story actually. It wasn’t until I got the opportunity to ride with a group I really liked that I gave it a go, and then it just kind of stuck. It gave me more of a sense of freedom that didn’t feel as serious.”
Both kiwis have a respect for the sport that extends beyond the medal, hoping to bring the community together in a way which allows the excitement of their experience to be one that can be shared.
Going into competition
Putting on a jersey to compete in an event can send your heart rate into a BPM of 120. (adrenaline) But for an athlete whose lifestyle is grounded in this adrenaline, they get used to routes that redirect their nerves into landing double into triple corks. For some a routine of visualisation practices is the structure that keeps composure before the beep goes off and for others, substituting pressure with play is what reminds them why they are there.
“I try not to take myself too seriously, and be light hearted with everything, mucking around a bit more before warming up and joking with my coach.”
The nature of competing at a professional level can cause pressure to become a pervasive part of the environment. Fun can tend to be subconsciously disregarded when results are at stake but Mischa has said that ultimately it’s about “doing what you love and giving things a go, because you can’t fail or succeed if you don’t try.”
Where to next?
The Challenger Snow League will continue to follow some of the best snow in the world, finishing Cardrona with a flight to the USA for Aspen and Park City in January.
“I would love to one day be an olympic medalist, but for now I just think [it’s important to focus on] progressing the sport, encouraging more girls to give it a go, and just being happy with myself.” – Mischa Thomas
Without any closing point yet in sight, the League has ignited a chance for competition to be excelled in an entirely new realm.
Words: Millie Black
Photo Credits: Snow League
