Big fans of Dakine’s new video series ‘What Girls Want‘, we caught up with German mountainbiker Steffi Marth to find out even more about what she and other female mountainbikers want…

Interview by Anna Langer, photos by Corbin Crimmins / Dakine 

Hey Steffi, how was your season?
My season was awesome. It got better every season for the past 4 years and again in 2012, I was able to top all my results and experiences. I am also really happy I could finish this summer without any injuries and am now ready to relax a bit and start preparing for the 2013 summer soon.

Any particular highlights?
I had some highlights in 2012… two 4X Pro Tour Podiums, a great time during Crankworx in Whistler and a 3rd place on the Dual Slalom there, a win at the Dual Race in Saalbach, my 4th victory of the German National Titel in 4X …, lots and lots of riding in beautiful places with lovely people. Luckily I did not really have any downsides in 2012 but as every year, my most important race, the World Championships, did not go the way I wished and I could only finish 7th.

Are you gonna keep on riding during winter?
I used to spend my whole winters on La Palma, Canary Islands in one of the best Freeride Bike Stations on the planet (atlantic-cycling.de). This winter I have to finish my studies and can only stay on La Palma for 6 weeks, guiding two ladies camps and riding as much as I can. Back at home I’ve a normal training routine consisting of cycling, gym and motoX… maybe a bit of snow, we will see.

What do you do to stay fit over winter?
I do several things, I used to have a tight and serious training schedule but after many years I now only listen to my body and just follow what training is good for me at that time.

When do you start to get into shape again for the new season?
Usually I take a break in October and start again in the beginning of November. I will be fit and ready to rock the trails and race tracks in the middle of April. Maybe this year I will start later because I still want to be fit when it comes to the World Camps end of August. I guess some things will change for 2013 but we will see.

We loved your Dakine edit in the ‘What Girls Want’ series – did you enjoy making the clip?
Oh yes I love producing photo- and video footage to spread out in the mountainbike world. I always wish I can reach more and more young riders and of course girls to share my experiences and build up their own dreams. Of course it is not an easy job to find good spots, a good photo/videographer and the right time and weather conditions, but once you are done shooting great action and see the final product it gives me goose bumps all the time. Julien Mazard who made the Dakine videos is an awesome artist and I enjoy to work with him a lot.

Can you tell us a bit more about the whole series?
Dakine Europe’s idea was to feature one of their female athletes in every sport they work in and show the special passion in what every girl is doing. The key is that we all come from different sports but we have a huge thing in common: we love what we do and that’s why the main question was “What Girls Want”. After a great trailer of all the girls which was published this summer, a short video portrait featuring every single girl is published throughout this autumn [see link above].

Can you put in one sentence what it is, that female mountainbikers want?
Female Mountainbikers want to experience the nature and freedom on bikes with their friends, exploring new places and, most importantly, push their limits and proof that they can have just as much fun and style in bike as men have. It is not a male sport at all.

How long have you been riding MTB?
I started BMX with the age of 12, so I have been racing on Bikes for about 14 years now. I switched over to the bigger 26″ mountainbikes 4 years ago when I won my first MTB race. Since then I used my BMX bike less and less and at the same time got more and more travel (suspension) on my mountainbikes.

What makes you love it so much?
I love it so much because after all the years I still get butterflies in my stomach once I take a lap on my old BMX track or do a road bike ride at home after I’ve been traveling a lot. I still feel so nervous before races and am overwhelmed after I had a good race like on the first day. Everytime I really wanted to do a jump, a travel or get a good result, I was able to reach my goal because I wanted it so much. It feels good to realise ideas and dreams. I worked so much to live the lifestyle I do now and I love it that way. I am so happy my parents bought me a BMX on the right time and always supported me to go bigger.

Follow Steffi on steffimarth.com and trekgravitygirls.com