PROFILE: CAMERON MARSHALL
Fifteen year old Cameron Marshall from The Remarkables, has been skiing since he was 5 years old. Sponsored by Elan, we caught up with Cam (as he likes to be called) for a quick chat...
WHY CHOOSE SKIING OVER SNOWBOARDING ?
My Mum and Dad encouraged me to ski when I first started at age 5. I wanted to snowboard because I thought it was cooler, but I was hooked on skiing and haven’t looked back. I love the feeling of carving the ski on ground runs and floating through ‘pow’.
WHEN DID YOU START COMPETING ?
I started competing in ski racing in 2012 which gave me the foundations I have now. I raced up until 2016, then found my love for Freeride skiing. I did my first Freeride comp in 2018.
FAVOURITE EVENT
Junior Freeride Tour, Verbier.
FAVOURITE TRICK
A big floaty 360 with a safety.
TRICK YOU WISH YOU COULD DO
Double backflip.
BEST RESULT SO FAR
3rd in the Junior Freeride Tour, Verbier.
WHAT ARE YOU GOALS FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS ?
I would just like to focus on the next 3 of my junior years and try to get some solid results. I’m hopeful to be able to compete in the Junior World Champs. Then following that I would like to possibly go over to Europe and compete in some of the world Freeride qualifiers.
IF YOU WERE NOT SKIING WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING ?
I probably would be biking, I do a lot of biking in the off-season to keep my fitness up. Also because I enjoy biking and I did some downhill racing for a season or two, but found skiing more enjoyable.
A LOT OF SKIERS GET HURT – ANY INJURIES?
I haven’t had a single injury while doing Freeride skiing, touch wood. That doesn’t mean I hold back though the off-snow training really helps to keep me strong so injuries can be prevented. That’s so I can get out on the snow and feel solid on my skis while I am trying new tricks and lines out on the mountain.
WHAT SORT OF TRAINING DO YOU DO IN THE OFF SEASON ?
In the summer I do a lot of strengthening with my trainer and follow a program which he sets for me which I complete at home or at the gym. I do this so I can ski to the best of my ability in my competitions with little mistakes. I also like to do a fair amount of mountain biking as it is great fitness and a great way to strengthen.
WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT SCHOOL?
I don’t have too much of a problem with school, I usually ski 3 times a week and one of those days is a school day. This year I am thinking of doing an after school program where I would ski all day. Then after school has ended catch up with the subjects I had missed that day.
WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO IN NZ AND OVERSEAS
In NZ I look up to my coach Sam Lee who has been competing in the world Freeride tour but is out with an injury so was unable to compete on the tour this year. I look up to him because he is a rad dude who has such a unique way of skiing down faces, they call him the ‘ibex’ because he gets into such exposed areas and skis them with ease. He just inspires me to get out there and hopefully one day be at his level. Another skier who I look up to is Markus Eder who is so amazing to watch, he makes skiing look so effortless, with his huge corked out threes and the crazy lines he chooses. He is such a consistent skier when it comes to competitions and is always on the podium.
BIGGEST WINS SO FAR
I haven’t had any big wins in Freeride but my biggest win in skiing would have been when I claimed top spot at the South Island Slalom Champs for racing. I won the mini pump Freeride comp at Treble Cone which I was stoked on as I put down a solid run. That got me recognised and I was able to ski with the NZ Freeride team for the day.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHOUT OUT TO?
I would like to shout out my Mum and Dad as they have done so much for me and have got me to where I am today. They are such cool parents as they drive me to my comps and take me on awesome trips where I get to ski in places I can only dream of. They are very supportive and are also great mentors. I would also like to shout out Sam Lee who has coached me over the 2018 season and has helped me improve my skiing to where I was able to get some great results. Without these people I wouldn’t be able to be at the level I am today.