We caught up with the Swiss slopestyler following her rad podium spot at last weekend’s 6 star TTR O’Neill Evolution in Davos

Interview by Sam Haddad

Hey Sina. Congrats on your second place at the O’Neill Evolution last weekend, how was the contest for you?
Thanks a lot! The contest was super fun. The competition in Davos is only an hour’s drive a way from my hometown. When I was younger I rode a lot in Davos, so I really like it there and it’s nice to get supported from Swiss people during the event. I enjoyed the three training days and had a lot of fun just riding the kicker with out any pressure. The weather wasn’t that good but I was super stoked to get so much snow during the week and in the end every rider had the same conditions.
My semi final run went super well and I was super stoked to win it. In the final I landed my run again and was super happy, but Spencer just rode better than I! It was a super nice battle and I enjoyed it!

We hear you were unlucky on your final run, talk us through that?
No, I wasn’t unlucky! I landed my run and I got 87.3 points, just a little bit less than in the semi finals. Spencer O’Brien just stepped it up with a super nice seven and a hard rail trick. In the final run I tried to do a seven and a harder rail trick but came short on the kicker, because it started to snow again and the snow got slower! I didn’t get hurt!

Is it tough to knuckle down for a contest when the powder is so good?
We had a lot of practice days and a lot of time before the practice started to do some powder laps in Davos. For me it was super fun to ride the kicker and the nice rail set up, I enjoyed every run! And right now we have the best conditions to ride powder, why would I want more?

Who else impressed you with their riding at the event?
As I mentioned before, Spencer just killed it! She rode super cool; clean fs 7 and a hard rail trick! As well I was super stoked seeing my Swiss friend Isabel Derung stomping the bs rodeo! The level of the whole contest was super cool and a lot of different tricks were shown.

Why was it called a big air contest when it also had a slopestyle obstacle in it? We’re confused!
It’s called a big air contest because it’s only one jump. In the end you just have a rail set up! The jump counts for 70% and the rail set up 30%! This is the same format as the guys have it at the Air & Style, or something like that!

What have been the highlights of your season so far?
Highlights from this season? Hmm, the season just started. I had a really nice trip to Colorado last November/December. I was there with the Swiss team. When we arrived, the park at Keystone was already massive; tons of different rails and a medium kicker line. After 10 days riding, they shaped the big kicker line. The kickers were super smooth and perfect to get ready for the season.
At Christmas time I shredded a lot back home in Laax! We already had a lot of snow! I just went out with my friends and had a lot of fun!

And what contests are you looking forward to next?
In 10 days I will go to the X Games in Aspen. Right now I’m only on the waiting list but I hope I can ride the contest. If not it will be a perfect training for the World Championships in Oslo. After the X Games I’ll go to the Canadian Open in Calgary.

Do you have any plans to film this year and if so what and with who?
Yes I do. I’m filming with Lipstick productions for the second year. You can watch the first movie 5 more minutes…please?! here.

Which girls’ movie parts have impressed you the most this year?
It is hard to say but I liked the impressive riding from Jenny Jones and the shots from Cheryl Maas. It’s super hard to pick a name, because there are many good girls out there killing it!

Who are your heroes?
I would say I look up to many different people! On the snowboarding side I looking up to Marco Widmer, a friend of mine from back home. He is one of the best backcountry riders and knows tons of spots! His riding is smooth and stylish! A drop is never to big for him and he loves the air time! I learned a lot from him! Sometimes I would love to be as heavy as he is!

You grew up near Laax, how was that and is it still your favourite place to shred?
I grew up in Flims, that’s the village next to Laax. Growing up in Laax was perfect for me. I could spend a lot of hours on the snow every week. I got in touch with people, which helped me a lot to get better in the sport. I love to ride back home, I ride here with the closest friends and I know exactly were the best powder runs are!

You’ve bagged a place at the World Snowboard Championships, why is that contest so important to the sport?
It is nice to have a World Championships, every sport has one and a lot of people watch the World Championships on TV, even if they’re not super interested in the sport. To make snowboarding more famous we have to do these kind of events. All of the riders should show up there and give their best!
I hope the slopestyle is going to be nice and push a high level of snowboarding!

What is your biggest goal in snowboarding?
My biggest goal is to ride every day with a smile! It’s not about a trick it’s not about a powder line it’s about the happy feeling!

Are there any other burning issues you’d like to raise?
Respect nature!

Thanks a lot Sina, and good luck!
Thanks a lot for the interview I hope it was interesting reading it! Keep on riding!

Sina is sponsored by Burton