Pat Burgener: “I wouldn't mind winning the Crystal Globe.”

With the qualifiers for this season's second Halfpipe World Cup going down today at the Copper Mountain Toyota Grand Prix, it's about time to put one of the riders in the spotlight who not only had a great showing at the World Cup Opener last September but also won last year's event in Colorado.

Patrick Burgener (SUI) has had his ups and downs with Copper Mountain but now, the 23-year-old Bronze medallist of the 2017 FIS Snowboard World Championships is back stronger than ever and ready to step up his game as he told us in an interview quite a while ago.

FISSnowboard.com: Pat, you have had a great last season and very good start to the new winter. How does that come?

Pat Burgener: We have a very strong team in Switzerland and we do push each other. When I see someone doing something totally crazy I have to keep up the pace. It's motivating as you train together.

I have learned a lot of new tricks which help me making it on the podium. That's why last season and the World Cup Opener in New Zealand went so well.

I just have to make sure to keep that competition mood, have some more good trainings, and compete in two or three more World Cups before everything is set for the Olympics.

PyeongChang 2018 will be your first Olympic experience. How come?

I did miss the Vancouver trials due to injury and couldn't compete in Sochi as I broke my hand in the Copper World Cup a few months before.

And after Sochi you also tore your ACL and did play with the idea of retiring. Are you happy you didn't do so?

I'm so glad that I decided not to retire. For two years now, I constantly earn some podium finishes.

The music helped me a lot to find me again in this sport. And music is also the reason why I got mentally stronger. And being mentally strong is the most important thing when fighting for a comeback.

I guess I'm on the right path to South Korea, and of course I do hope to grab a medal there.

With the Olympics being your main goal, anything else you want to achieve this season?

I wouldn't mind winning the Crystal Globe. Eight years ago I was close to make it. Maybe it works out this time.

We have some great events coming up in Copper and China, so why not.