We discuss the Olympics, injury recovery, travelling and gymnastics with pro snowboarder Katie Ormerod.
Katie is a British pro snowboarder who was selected to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics, and is an X Games Medallist and World Cup Gold Medallist.
When did you start snowboarding, and when did you realise this was a sport you wanted to pursue seriously?
I started Snowboarding from the age of 5 and fell in love with the sport straight away. I knew I always wanted to snowboard but when I was around 12 I realised that I had the ability to become pro and so that became my goal.
How did it feel to be the first female snowboarder to land a backside double cork 1080 when you were just 16?
It felt amazing! I had just missed out on the 2014 Olympics by 2 spots and so I turned my upset into something positive and decided to become the first woman in the world to do a backside double cork 1080. When I landed it, I felt so proud of myself as I had proved all the people wrong that said women weren't capable of doing that trick and also progressed women's snowboarding. It was an amazing feeling!
Can you describe what a typical day of training looked like leading up to the Winter Olympics?
I'd wake up early, go Snowboarding from around 9am to 3/4pm. Then I'd come home and either go to the gym or Gymnastics for an hour before stretching in the evening.
Following your injury earlier this year, we can't wait to see you back on the slopes — how do you feel about competing again and what's your plan moving forward?
I was gutted when I got injured at the Olympics. I'm feeling really excited to get back on my board and start training and competing again...Right now I'm in the gym 4- 5 times a week so I can get back to the mountains sooner rather than later. I really miss it!
Do you have any tips for injury recovery, how do you maintain such a positive mindset?
From my experience I've learnt to just take things as they come, work hard in the gym and stay as positive as possible. It's so easy to feel down after a big injury, so looking at the bigger picture and focusing on getting stronger so I can get back to doing what I love is the thing that really keeps me motivated. I've also set myself some mini goals to achieve whilst recovering, such as writing again and doing more public speaking. This helps to keep me focused on something now, which keeps me positive and excited.
What are your gym bag must-haves?
Water, Red Bull, hairbrush, lifting gloves & shoes, and Pretty Athletic Workout Glow.
With the nature of your sport and competing you have to travel a lot — how do you cope with being away from home so much and staying on top form when travelling?
Travelling is the best as I get to visit new countries and have so many new experiences, but it can be also very tough on my body with lots of jet lag. I'm used to being away from home as I've been traveling since I was 12, but throughout the season, there are times when I just need to come home for a week or even just a few days to properly recover. I always try to listen to my body so if I've been training/ competing/ travelling and my body needs a break, I give it one so I can stay on top form.
When you're not training for snowboarding, what's your favourite way to keep active?
I love doing Gymnastics. I competed and trained 5x a week up until I was 16, so I'm still really into it and do it as much as I can. I also like climbing and have just started to try yoga.
What's your favourite mountain/ resort and why?
I love Perisher in Australia because it has an amazing park with quick laps and it has a strong Spring like feel to it which is great, as Spring is one of my favourite times of the year to ride.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to get serious about snowboarding?
Have fun! The main thing that I have learnt is that when you are enjoying it, you're more likely to progress and learn than if you're pushing yourself too hard.
