The Interview: Katie Ormerod

In the lead-up to the 2020/21 FIS Snowboard World Cup season we'll be interviewing some of last season's crystal gloibe winners to find out what they've been up to in the off-season, what they're looking forward as we head into winter, and hopefully a little bit about what makes one of snowboarding's top riders tick...

Coming off of the better part of two years of recovery following a broken heel suffered at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Great Britain's Katie Ormerod made a big statement in her comeback season in 2019/20, earning five podiums in seven events entered - including four-out-of-four podiums in slopestyle competitions - while going on to win the slopestyle crystal globe.

Ormerod's crystal globe win was a historic one, as it was the first-ever for a snowboarder from GBR, and we recently caught up with the trail-blazing 23 year-old for a few questions before she jetted off to Stelvio (ITA) for her pre-season training at Prinoth's X Camp...

FIS - Last season you became the first rider representing Great Britain to win a FIS Snowboard crystal globe. What did it mean to you to win the slopestyle globe, and not only that but to make some history as the first GBR rider to do so?

Katie - It felt amazing to be the first British snowboarder to win a crystal globe! Winning the globe meant so much to me - as I've always wanted to win one and doing it in my comeback season from injury was the best feeling ever! I'm hoping that I will have inspired other British snowboarders, as I've proved that it is possible to win through hard work and passion, even though I come from England where we don't have any snow resorts.

FIS - You came back from an extended injury recovery to earn podiums in four out of four slopestyle World Cup competitions in 2019/20 (as well as one in big air) - does that change your expectations for yourself as we move towards the Zhangjiakuo 2021 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships and Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games?

Katie - I had 18 months off competing after breaking my heel, but I worked really hard to come back stronger and ended up having the best season of my career so far. Getting on the podium at all 4 slopestyle competitions and a big air was the most amazing feeling! Leading up to Beijing 2022, I'm going to have the same mindset I had last season, by working as hard as I can whilst having as much fun as possible. I didn't have the opportunity to actually compete in PyeongChang, so I'm really looking forward to the Beijing Olympic Games to show the world what I can do.

FIS - How have you handled the whole lockdown situation and the ongoing uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic since the season ended so abruptly?

Katie - During lockdown I focused on my training and converted the garage into a home gym so I could keep up with my strength work. I also did a lot of gymnastics once lockdown eased, so I would be ready for the World Cups once they began. I had a very positive and optimistic mindset throughout the last seven months and I'm finally able to leave the country to go snowboarding again, so I'm very excited!

FIS - It was just over a year ago that you made your World Cup return with a podium in Cardrona. Since then you had your history-making globe winning season, but also seen the world gripped by the pandemic. What's the biggest thing that you’ve learned, personally, in the past year?

Katie -  I'm very thankful to myself that I took every opportunity given to me last season and made the most of being in the mountains. I appreciated every moment and I realise how important that was, as it was impossible to know that we would end up in a global pandemic in March and end up having months off snow.

FIS - Putting all the uncertainty in the world aside, what are your goals for the upcoming season?

Katie - My main goals are qualifying for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. I also want to progress my snowboarding, so will be focusing on doing as much riding as possible whilst also competing in the World Cups.

FIS - What do you love most about snowboarding?

Katie - I love the freedom, the adrenaline and the creativity that snowboarding brings, as well as the competitive side of competitions. I love challenging my own snowboarding and putting my tricks together to do the best runs I can do in World Cups.