BRITISHFREESKI CAMPS - Dark Summer

ZACK WRAGG AS MARKED
Emily
Sarsfi eld
At the end of November 2006, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Executive Board decided that Skiercross would be officially included in
the programme of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In 2003, six years after
its birth at the X Games in the USA, Skiercross was recognised by the
International Ski Federation (FIS) and integrated into its freestyle category.
Over the course of its life, Skiercross has become increasingly popular with
spectators due to its fast-paced, high-adrenaline action.
The IOC is hoping that Skiercross will help to “modernise the Winter
Games, arouse great interest among young people and be able to stand
out thanks to its spectacular and competitive dimensions.”
Despite the lack of training facilities for Skiercross in the UK, there is one
young lady who is making her mark on the international scene. Emily
Sarsfield is one of only two skiers in the UK Skiercross team and she
looks set to break into the world’s top ten this coming season.
We caught up with Emily to find out a bit more about her and her
reaction to the inclusion of Skiercross in the Olympics.
WWW.DARKSUMMER.CO.UK
How did you start skiing?
My parents. I used to ride in a pack on my Dad’s back, so I’ve
never had a fear of speed. I then fi rst skied myself at the age of
3. I’m glad I started so young as you have no fear at that age
and you learn a lot more quickly.
You used to be a ski racer. Tell us a bit about that.
I represented Great Britain in Alpine racing from the age of 13 and
won many English titles. I had some great experiences and learnt
a lot, travelling all over Europe with the English team and my biggest
rival Victoria (elder sister). My last international competition was to
be the World University Games 2005. The plan was to enjoy my
fi nal race then hang up my racing boots and, after graduating, get
a real job, but then along came Skiercross!
What turned you on to Skiercross?
I hadn’t really heard of Skiercross, but a coach back in 2003
thought I would be good at it. I didn’t really know what it was
and didn’t think much of it so carried on with Alpine racing. Then
at the 2005 World Uni Games, Duncan (team coach) suggested
I give it a shot. I looked at the course and said “No chance”.
The jumps were huge, but I’m not one to hold back so I found
myself at the start gates. The next thing I knew, I’d qualifi ed for
the fi nals and was stood head to head with 3 other girls. The
race went well and I managed to fi nish 6th. I was delighted and
I was hooked. I did my fi rst full season focusing on Skiercross
last year based in Meribel. I travelled all over Europe in my little
Peugeot 106 competing on the World Cup circuit and the Saab
Salomon Series. The season went really well, I slashed my World
Ranking to 25 and maintained my British title.
What is it about Skiercross that attracts you?
Skiercross is crazy. It’s hard to describe what the courses are
like which I race down; they are totally unpredictable. You have
to negotiate jumps, bumps and berms whilst travelling at speed
racing against others. The extreme uncertainty of the event is
addictive and the adrenaline rush is unbelievable. Getting to the
bottom in one piece is a challenge in itself never mind battling it
out with 3 other riders on the way down!
What successes have you enjoyed in Skiercross so far?
My Skiercross career started well with my 6th place debut in the
World Uni Games and since then it’s just got better. I fi nished
15th in my second World Cup, qualifying for the fi nals, placed 4th
in a Europa Cup, 5th in the French Champs and have maintained
my British Indoor and Outdoor titles since 2005.
What was your reaction when you heard about Skiercross
being accepted into the Olympics?
I was ecstatic, there had been talk about it for a while and it really
needed this status to get the recognition it deserves. Boardercross
had its debut in Turin and Skiercross is such an exciting spectator
sport, people deserve to see as an Olympic event.
What are your goals now in the run up to the 2010 Olympics?
I’ve just started my second season, so it’s still very new. I’m planning
on competing in the World Cup circuit in Europe, with the World
Championships at the end of January in Italy. I am also hoping to
get to some commercial events and the Brits in Laax towards the
end of the season to gain more experience so I’m on top form for
the 2010 Olympics.
The season has started slowly because of the lack of snow, so
training has been limited and the fi rst World Cup event of the season
was cancelled. Weather permitting, my competition schedule will
kick off on the 8th Jan in Flaine.
Doing all of this isn’t cheap so I’m having to fund myself by doing
some coaching for Alpine racers. I’m also looking for sponsorship
to help me compete and train, to improve on last years results and
break in to the World top ten.
I’m also planning some Skiercross camps over the summer in the
UK to help young aspiring athletes progress in the sport.
The desire for Olympic success is great for some, but for others
it’s just another competition. How do you feel about it and will
you still value the other competitions as much?
Every athlete would love to be an Olympic champion, but whilst
every competition is great, the most important thing in life is to
enjoy it and live it to the max.
Without wanting to jinx it, if the Olympic gold were to land in
your lap, what would be your next big challenge?
Making my way through a magnum of Champagne [laughs]. Then,
I guess it would be passing the skills and techniques I’ve learnt
onto younger British riders, so they too would get the opportunity
to achieve the Olympic gold.
Which would you prefer: the bumps and berms of a Skiercross
course or a big, wide, open powder fi eld?
That’s a tricky one. It would depend on my mood. If I’m chilled out
then a peaceful powder fi eld; if I want an adrenaline rush then the
bumps and berms!
Up at 6am for training or on the dancefl oor ‘til 2am?
On the dance fl oor ‘til 6am then a nice jog home!
Full English or continental breakfast?
Full English!
Do you have any shout-outs?
To my family for funding me over the past years and my sponsors
Animal, Less Bounce, Futur-3 and Atomic. ✪
For more details about Emily’s Skiercross career, check out her
website: www.emilysarsfi eld.com
WWW.DARKSUMMER.CO.UK