The Chillfactor Q&A – Watkin McLennan

August 2nd, 2010

Watkin McLennan. Image:: Harro

Chillfactor | Profile – Watkin McLennan

Buller skier Watkin McLennan has taken the state of Victorian freeride competition into his own hands, creating the State of Origin AirTime (SoO AirTime) event with his brother Oscar, mate Joey Corcoran and a team of Buller buddies.

The competition promises to push Aussie freeride competition in a new and interesting direction – but anything dreamed up by Watkin would be different and interesting. On and off the snow, this guy is getting creative.

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Watkin, Overseas Edit 2009/10

Name: Watkin McLennan

Age: 22

Home town: Melbourne
Home resort: Mt Buller
When I’m not skiing I’m: dancing my way through life.
I got into skiing because…: my mum didn’t want my brother to play football, so she got him into skiing and I followed. Little did she know that mountains can be way more gnarly than a hard arse footy bloke.
The highlights of my career thus far are: competing in the World Heli Challenge was pretty special, but I hope to top that later this season at SoO AirTime.
I like freeride because: it’s all about having the most fun on any given day with skis, snow and nothing else.
What you need to get into freeride is: twin-tips, bacon and a can-do attitude.
The scariest thing I’ve done on skis is: skiing Puker Face in Jackson Hole. It’s awfully steep.
The skiing challenges still on my bucket list are: I want to get more into ski mountaineering. I’m planning a trip to Mt Feathertop with a few friends this season, hopefully it’s the first of many similar trips in years to come.

Image:: Harro

If I was making my ideal ski movie it would be: heaps of friends travel to AK and live it up for however long it takes to get some serious snow in the face.
When I need a change from the park you’ll find me: on my straight skis working on making meaning of every turn.
I started SoO because: I get bored when there’s no snow around and think about skiing. This was a crazy idea that actually happened thanks to My brother Oscar, Joe Corcoran and others.
In five years I hope SoO is: The most respected snowsports competition in Australia and internationally recognised.
The thing that’s sure to impress me if I see it in any of the Open Edit entries is: Big smiles and heaps of tree skiing.

Visit www.sooairtime.com for more about SoO AirTime

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