Podium spot within sight
Moguls skier says she has to be more consistent
Moguls skier Andi Naude of Penticton turns 19 next week and is in her third full season on the World Cup circuit. She has collected eight top 10 finishes in 25 starts entering today’s World Cup event in Calgary, where she was sixth in 2013 and a career-best fourth last season. She spoke to The Sun on Friday from Canada Olympic Park:
Q You’re close to making that podium breakthrough. Is Calgary the place where it will happen?
A I really hope so. I’ve been close here in the past with that fourth last year and the sixth two years ago. Both times if was my best result to date, so I hope I can push it a little further and make the podium. That’s the ultimate goal. I love this course here and it’s looking amazing. The weather’s changed quite dramatically. It was just -2C this morning, now it’s -12C and snowing and it’s supposed to be a lot colder (today). We’ll see how it goes.
Q What do you have to improve on to start getting on the podium on a regular basis?
A I think I really have to work on just being consistent and consistently putting down my best run in the turns and speed. And just the cleanliness and the whole esthetic have to be improved. I’m really happy with the start (a sixth in Ruka, Finland three weeks ago in the season opener). It was definitely one of my better results. Q Besides the ‘home hill’ at Calgary, do you have another favourite stop on the World Cup circuit?
A I’m not sure, I enjoy them all a lot. I really do love this event. And all the different places have challenges they present. Deer Valley (Utah) where we are next week, the crowd is amazing there, the biggest we get. It’s really neat to see all the people watching. And Inawashiro (Japan) is great. I have a couple of things from Japan. I’m a big fan of Japanese culture.
Q You just missed qualifying for the Sochi Olympics, then saw teammates Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe take gold and silver, respectively, with the third sister, Maxime, finishing 12th. Where did you watch that event from and how motivating was it to see Canadians go 1-2?
A I was devastated when I didn’t make the team, but I learned so much from the experience and I’m a better person and skier having gone through that. Yeah, I was definitely the No. 1 fan (of the Dufour-Lapointes and Audrey Robichaud (who was 10th in Sochi). I was watching from home and cheering full on. I was so excited to see them do so well.
Q The Dufour- Lapointes were obviously a big story at Sochi. But is there something about the sisters that isn’t well known that you can share with us?
A ( Laughing) Oh, I don’t know. They’re just really great people. They ski so well and represent Canada to the fullest. It’s just really cool to be able to ski on the same team as them. I’m honoured.
Q Christmas just passed and your birthday is on Jan. 10. What was the best present you got at Christmas and what would make a great birthday gift?
A I recently purchased a Kitchen-Aid mixer and my mom and dad got me all the attachments and a spaghetti cutter. That was pretty cool. I was able to make some nice fresh fettuccine. My birthday falls on the same day as the dual moguls at Deer Valley, so it would be pretty special to be on the podium for that one, that’s for sure.