XAVIER DE LE RUE - SNOWBOARD
PRESENTATION
INTERVIEW
How did you get into snowboarding and what drew you to the freeride scene?
I started skiing fairly early, around the age of two and a half. I got involved in competitions and ski club. Then, one day, my brother decided he'd had enough of the rigid side of skiing and we decided to try our hand at snowboarding. That led us to see our environment in a totally new light and get to grips with a fast-growing sport. I went through every stage of the snowboarding process, trying out nearly every event and winning four boarder-cross championships. For a few years now, I've been focusing on my long-standing passion for freeride. I've won the Freeride World Tour these past two years.
Didn't you find it hard to switch from boarder-cross to freeride?
I started out by trying to keep my speed in check because everyone said I was going too fast! You need to slow down in freeride because there are a huge number of risks - if you're going too fast, you can get hurt. That said, l gradually let myself go and found that, in the end, by going quickly, I was more at ease, I could take the jumps in my stride, read the ground more easily and the terrain was more forgiving. I was in my element.
What are your memories of the Freeride World Tour?
This year was the first year on the Freeride World Tour that I really felt I could up the ante and fully express myself in a freeride competition. My experience gave me that extra edge, letting me relax into my riding. It's the first time I've reached the end of the season thinking: "Wow, I really showed what I could do."
Do you think you've seen everything the sport has to offer now?
I'm lucky in that I really feel like I'm learning a lot. I feel like I still have a lot to learn and have a long way to go. I'm learning more about myself, learning how to surpass myself little by little and learning how to know my limits, even though I sometimes push things a bit too far, especially since it's a relatively dangerous environment.
What was your experience at the 2006 Olympics and what is your approach to this year's Games?
I was really the favourite in the event and it was the first time boarder-cross had featured in the Olympics. I thought I was above all the pressure. I thought it was something that couldn't really affect me but it ended up hitting me hard. I don't think you get injured by accident. One month before the competition, I broke my ankle and I shouldn't even have taken part. My performance sort of reflected the shape I was in. Luckily my younger brother was on hand: out of the blue, he just came up to me and said "What? You've done yourself in? Hang on, I'll do it for you." He really excelled and got himself a medal. But the Olympics is a one-off event and I really aim to give it my all this year.
What are your goals for the coming season?
The fact that the Olympics take place this year adds another dimension to my season. I'll be taking part in the Freeride World Tour, with four competitions around the world, as well as in the Olympics in Vancouver. In each case, of course, I won't just be there to enjoy the scenery!