Pioneering Prebble jumps at his chance
If you haven’t watched ski cross racing before, pencil in February 21 when Jamie Prebble becomes New Zealand’s first ski cross racer to compete in the heart-skipping discipline as an Olympian.
The 26-year-old says there is a certain thrill about racing against three other people at 80kmh, just millimetres apart.
Prebble has been in stellar form for the past two seasons leading in to his first Winter Olympic Games at Pyeongchang 2018. His 2017 Northern Hemisphere season ended on a high with winning a silver medal finish at the world championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain.
The Cantabrian first burst onto the international scene in 2015 when he finished sixth at the Ski Cross World Cup in Sweden. One year later he beat his personal best and came one place better at fifth at the World Cup in Switzerland.
While Kiwis are mad about sport in general, Prebble would like to see a bigger following for snowsports, especially for the games. He says while his sport is massive in Europe, Kiwis struggle to understand what it actually is as they are not as exposed.
‘‘I often have people confusing it with cross-country skiing but the two sports are worlds apart in terms of similarities.’’
Ski cross is a timed event that Wednesday, February 21, 3.30pm and 5.15pm (NZT) incorporates terrain features traditionally found in freestyle, such as rocks and banks, as well as artificial features including big-air jumps and high-banked turns.
The former Christchurch Boys’ High School student studied a business degree at the University of Canterbury, but chose a life on the skis because it provides a fast rush.
Prebble believes ski cross is the most entertaining of all the snow sports because it has combined elements from other disciplines such as jumps, speed and obstacles.
The Winter Olympics has been the main goal for Prebble and he is determined to bring home a medal for New Zealand. While most of us were in jandals enjoying the Kiwi summer, his preparation has been competing in the World Cup circuit across Europe in temperatures well below zero.
His final training preparation was a camp in Austria where he will fly direct to Pyeongchang a week in to the Games in time for his event, the ski cross and freestyle skiing.
Prebble is sure the Games will be more intense than what he has already experienced as a snow sports athlete.
‘‘I am expecting it to be a different beast than any other event. I think everyone goes into the games wanting to win so to say that is my goal is a bit generic.
‘‘I know what I am capable of and I proved that at world champs last year but for me – I’m just focusing on that first heat and executing my process and skills which will set me in motion.’’
Prebble rates his second place last year at the world championships his best achievement to date and is hoping he can build on that as his career is at an early stage.
‘‘That was a day I will never forget. I gave that race every last ounce of physical and mental energy while fighting a stomach bug and to have everything come together and end up on the podium was very special.
‘‘First Olympics and I am pumped for it. Ever since my childhood I wanted to compete at the Olympics, so to have it come true after such a long journey of hard work is a lifetime dream turning into reality. I can’t wait to represent New Zealand and make the country proud.’’