RIDER Q & A – Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin

Chumpy on the top step of the World Cup Podium, Valmalenco, Italy 2010. Image:: FIS

Interview By | Annabel Tudhope

Just weeks away from heading off for another round of World Cup and international competition, Australia’s World Number 2 Boardercross rider Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin sat down to answer some questions from Mountainwatch.com’s newest recruit Annabel Tudhope on X Games, competition and all the rest…

Are you excited to be competing in the upcoming X Games?
Yeah, it’s always such a rad event. A highlight on this season’s contest calendar for sure.

What are some of the things that you do to prepare for a big event like the X Games?
With around five months of northern winter coming up, my preparation is pretty huge. First there’s a lot of travel plans to sort out with my coach Ben. Then there is the fitness side of it, before leaving Aus. I’ve had several custom boards made by Apex for this season, one of which will be perfect for the Winter X course. Once I’m over there, it’s about setting up some good momentum coming into the X Games. Hopefully I’ll be able to land some solid results in the first few World Cups and world champs, before heading to Aspen ready to do some damage.

Chumpy at Winter X 2010

What are you doing during the Northern Hemisphere season? Like training? Where are you going?
The Northern Hemisphere season for me revolves around the contest tour, which keeps me moving each week to another country. There are around 8 – 9 stops on the World Cup tour, plus events like X Games and the Baker Banked Slalom. There are a few weeks where I’ll be spending the time freeriding and exploring some new mountains. I try to focus on getting some photos and filming done in this time, it’s a good breather from the contest scene and it keeps my snowboarding progressing.

 

What is it like to be able to compete in huge events like the X Games, being able to represent Australia?
Massive. It’s a great feeling to arrive there and feel the vibe of Aspen just buzzing for the event. So many people come out to watch it live, which creates a sick atmosphere to compete in. They do a great job at looking after all the riders and it’s fun to catch up with a lot of friends there too. To be one of the Aussies representing at Winter X is also a rad feeling. I’m hoping that this year I can do my bit for the Aussie medal tally, we’ll see. It’s truly an event like no other.

How did you come to compete at this level of snowboarding, what was the training like and how do you get known in the snowboarding world?
The journey of my career so far has been epic and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, since my first day riding through till now. I guess just my passion for snowboarding, getting a sense early on it could be something I could do well at. I love the challenge of competing, as well as how it can create a new way to enjoy my snowboarding. Boardercross never gets old and there’s always a new level of riding each year. I thrive on finding new ways to take boardercross riding to the next level. With that motive in the back of my mind, the training, working towards making a career out of it, just comes naturally.

 

What is your game plan for these Games, go hard or go home?
For sure, the X Games course is normally pretty large and fast. They always manage to build at least one feature that no one has ridden before, at least not as big or as fast. I’m aiming on peaking for that event, to get in there and throw down some solid runs. It’s the only way you can go into a course like that.

Before the race, what do you do to determine the fastest line through the course, repetition, visualising?
It’s a combination of visualising as well as feeling the line. For X, there’s a lot of features to take in, it’s critical to remember what’s coming next. I like to spend the training days messing around with other riders, trying different lines behind or in front of them as they do the same. I get a lot of feedback from watching the footage that my coach shoots also. As well as my own line, there’s five other riders to keep in mind. The X course has a fair amount of gliding involved and even when in the air you can gain a lot of speed by being behind someone, to slip stream and get a sling shot effect.

Do you ever get scared or nervous about the course set up like if the jumps are really big, or the speed you gain?
Sure, there’s a moment before you ride any course right through to the bottom at full speed where you feel some nerves. That’s where your true snowboard skills come into play. From freeriding, I gain a good sense of what speed is needed to clear features I haven’t yet ridden, as well as to recover from sticky situations. It’s the same in a BX course. During that first run where the snow, wind, jumps size and even shadows make a difference to the speed, it’s crucial to be really in tune with those senses.

 

Does it make a difference if some of the riders are goofy or natural, do you ever get a disadvantage because of what direction you ride?
It can play a part, but usually most courses have a balance of features that give advantages to both stances. The one thing is does create is passing opportunities. Being on your toe side can sometimes allow for a sneaky inside line to pass a goofy rider. Or a high line on your heel side to generate speed.

Who are your biggest rivals in this event; do you reckon you can beat them?
There’s a solid amount of riders on the tour. The one to look out for at X Games is Nate Holland – gold medalist five years in a row. I’ve raced Nate in heats before and had good battles with him, both of us taking our share of wins. I look forward to racing him and the rest of the guys at X this season. I never underestimate anyone, you never know when someone is going to have a good day in boardercross.

You won the World Cup in Valmalenco, Italy, what is the feeling you get knowing your have won such a big event for yourself and the rest of Australia?
That was an incredible feeling. The way the Olympics went for me, then to go on and win the very next event, the reward was great. I was also stoked to feel the Aussie supporters feel happy for me and to share that win was awesome. I learnt a lot last season and I’m aiming to make the most of that this season.

Racing in Hotham earlier this year. Image:: Jyothi Jaffray

After you have had such a great result from one event like the World Cup first place, how do you start preparing for the next one, do you have to change your attitude going into that next race?
Its a funny transition. You gain so much from a win, but mostly confidence in your riding. Then to pick up all your gear, head off to a new country aiming to get it done again, is a whole new challenge. It’s like hitting a reset button, then you just take it as it comes and be ready for anything. Knowing how much you want that win is most important. Not for money, a trophy or bragging rights, but for the feeling of kicking everyone’s ass and having a good time doing it. The pure thrill of snowboarding my best when the gate drops is what gives me the kick. There’s no better feeling than after two days of riding and learning a course, qualifying sessions, tough battles in heats all the way to the final, to then ride across the line with no one in front of you. Each time I find myself in that moment, is when I feel pure satisfaction.

Check out Chumpy’s blog