The Interview: Ruki Tobita

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 more about what it's like behind the scenes for some of snowboarding's top riders. Today we're catching up with 2019/20 slopestyle crystal globe-winner Ruki Tobita of Japan...

When the onset of the pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the final slopestyle World Cup event of the 2019/20 season that had been slated for Spindleruv Mlyn (CZE), it meant that 21 year-old Japanese ripper Ruki Tobita, riding in just his second season of World Cup action, was left standing atop the slopestyle rankings and (eventually, once the package made its way around the globe) holding the crystal globe.

In the shortened season, Ruki took two second-place finishes in three slopestyle competititions to edge second-overall finisher Tiarn Collins (NZL), while also earning a season-best fifth place finish at the Beijing Air + Style big air World Cup.

Oozing with style, boasting a deep and unpredicatble bag of tricks, and consistantly exhibiting the sort of unbridled enthusiasm that makes him a must-watch every time he drops in from pre-competition training right through to finals, Ruki Tobita earned his place amongst the best in the world in 2019/20.

Get to know a little bit more about the latest in the long line of Japanese slopestyle standouts below, and keep your eyes on this young man moving forward - you'll be glad you did.

FIS - In just your second full season of World Cup competition you were able to take back-to-back second-place finishes in Seiser Alm and Calgary and lock down the slopestyle crystal globe - how stoked were you to finish the season so strongly and win that trophy?

Ruki Tobita - I was planning to ride in the final slopestyle World Cup event at Spindleruv (CZE) and really cement my season’s results, but with that event cancelled, I was left on top of the ranking list all of a sudden. When I realised I'd ended up as the crystal globe winner, I was super surprised and so stoked.

FIS - You’re now the third Japanese man to win the slopestyle crystal globe after Yuki Kadono in 2012/13 and Tekaru Otsuka in 2018/19 - how do you feel to have your name alongside those riders in the history books?

RT - I’m really honoured to join that list of riders, super happy. Looking forward, I'm really keen to keep improving my riding and post a lot more solid results.

FIS - What riders inspired you when you were coming up in snowboarding, and who in snowboarding (or outside of snowboarding) inspires you now?

RT - When I was younger I was a pipe rider, so I really looked up to Shaun White. Nowadays, I look at Mark McMorris, his record of results and his constant improvement as a huge inspiration.

FIS - You always seem like one of the most stoked guys on the hill when I see you at the World Cups - what is it that keeps you smiling and pumped up at a competition?

RT - Thanks! I really like competing and the competition environment. Seeing so many good riders and the level of riding they’re doing really stokes my motivation. When I land my own runs, that adds another level of excitement!

RT - Obviously it was a strange end to the season and a strange off-season with the pandemic going on across the world. How did you handle those first few months when you went home after the season? What did you do to stay busy and have fun over the summer?

When the last competitions were cancelled and resorts were closed it was a huge shock. Suddenly not being able to snowboard was pretty stressful. To keep me busy I had a lot of online university study to handle, I did a lot of skateboarding around my house and spent a lot of time watching snowboard films. Towards the end of summer I got to do a bit of surfing and a little bit of snowboard training at the airbags and indoor facility. When I was allowed back in the gym I got back into training mode pretty heavily.

6. With the Zhangjiakuo 2021 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle & Freeski World Championships coming up in February and then the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games one year after that, what are your goals for the next year and a half of competition?

Heading into those two big events, I really want to put in a winning performance at this season’s World Cup events. I’ve been so close a few times, but still haven’t managed to take my first World Cup win. Being able to put on my absolute best performance in both the 2021 WSC and of course 2022 in Beijing is at the forefront for me now. With that in mind, I’m focusing on putting everything together in pre-season practice and through the World Cup events to lead in to strong performances at those two huge events.

With special thanks to Lee Ponzio for translation.