Kari Opsal Maeland - an interview with the World Rookie Champion 2008 - Page 2
May 02, 2008 @ 8:15 AM
OB: Your season went pretty well in general, I think.
Kari: I started the snowboard school in Norway last autumn which has given me the opportunity to train and snowboard and still get the school part done. I’ve done some different competitions this year, both national and international. Besides the Volcom PBRJ in Switzerland and the Rookie Fest I’m pretty stoked about my 3rd place in the Burton European Open in January and now my 3rd place in the Volcom PBRJ world champs in Mammoth last week. I just got home yesterday. Riding there was sick!
OB: Were you more confident as you had just won the World Rookie Championships?
Kari: No. I’m very bad at believing in myself in competitions, I always keep dragging myself down. I really need to stop that! When I saw all the girls at registration I got scared! And than the riding level was totally crazy. I have never been to a competition which such a good level of rail riding! The girls especially impressed me.
OB: How did you get into snowboarding?
Kari: My older brother and his friends got me into snowboarding. They got so stoked when I tried and learned new tricks, so I found out snowboarding was a great way to get the boys’ attention. It sounds pretty stupid now, though. Ha ha! Luckily I found out that snowboarding was fun even when my brother’s friends weren’t there.
OB: Any plans for the summer?
Kari: Right now tons of schoolwork is waiting for me but I hope I get time to shred the last snow here in Norway a bit as well. I plan to go snowboarding on a glacier in Norway called Stryn, and on a surf trip to the west coast of Norway. Then I’m heading for Les 2 Alpes with Protest. Other than that I’ll hang out at the beach and barbecue with my boyfriend and all my friends. I’m already looking forward to next season! Hopefully I’ll travel even more and stay away from injuries.
OB: You are only 17 years old - what do you still want to achieve in snowboarding?
Kari: A lot! I feel like I’ve just started! I’ll take day by day and grab every opportunity I get, and then we’ll see what happens.
OB: Thanks Kari!
Kari is sponsored by Protest, 32, Etnies, Neff and Rome.
Kari (middle) winning the World Rookie Championships 2008 in Ischgl.
