SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE: Tess Coady is only 17 but the slopestyle snowboarder knows a good course when she sees one – and PyeongChang is shaping up to be a beauty.
Taking to the Winter Olympic course at Phoenix Snow Park for the first time today, Coady said the event would be ‘super exciting’ for spectators thanks to the make up of the course.
“The course is sweet – the jumps are really nice and the rails are pretty big but they all flow really well so it’s good,” she said.
“It takes a couple of runs (to know the course) but this course is really nice and they’ve done a really great job of building it… It’s going to be a good show.”
Officials met after training and discussed making the jumps slightly steeper, a move that Coady welcomed.
Coady has arrived in South Korea with a huge smile on her face and some extra confidence having won Australia’s first ever World Cup medal with bronze at the January Snowmass 2018 World Cup in Colorado, US, behind Christy Prior (NZL) and Reira Iwabuchi (JAP).
It’s just 12 months since Coady claimed the Junior World Championship title in Spindlruv Mlyn, Czech Republic – but she’s more than ready to mix it with the senior league.
“I definitely feel comfortable; Junior World’s was a good boost into the season for me so that’s super exciting, but it’s cool to know I can mix it with the big dogs out here.”
However the Winter Olympic Games are another level above anything Coady has experienced before.
She’s really pleased to have the support of the broader Australian team behind her for her Olympic debut, and that of St Michael’s Grammar in St Kilda where she will commence Year 12 on her return post PyeongChang.
“All the other Aussies are super amped to be here and everyone’s just really cheering each other on so it’s super cool,” Coady said.
“My school is super supportive of all this travelling (and) competing and it’s super great and it helps so much.
“It still feels surreal. I feel like I’m in a video game.”
Coady is Australia’s sole female competitor in snowboard slopestyle, but will be joined by Jess Rich in snowboard Big Air when the event makes it Winter Olympic debut at PyeongChang.
“Big Air is so much fun to watch because it’s one big jump and it’s quick.”
Women’s snowboard slopestyle qualifications will be held on Day 2 (Sunday 11 February) with finals on Day 3 (Monday 12 February).
Candice Keller
Olympics.com.au
