InTheSnow’s Ben Clatworthy spent 10 minutes with Jennifer Osborne, a member of the British Snowboard Cross Team. Jennifer is one of the smallest members of the team, measuring in at 155cm. Jennifer has successfully qualified as both a BASI Ski and Snowboard Instructor and has taught Snowboarding at the Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Centre for the past two years part time. At the British Universities Snowsports Championships in Saalback and Hinterglem last season she won gold in all three events, beating the male competitors by five seconds in the Giant Slalom. This season Jennifer hopes to compete in her first Europa Cup event. At InTheSnow we wish her the best of luck.
- Jennifer, it’s November, the snow is falling in the Alps, what’s on your agenda for the coming season?
JO> I’m hoping to be doing between three and four International Ski Federation (FIS) races a month, building my experience and moving up the international rankings. Then, there’s the British Snowboard Cross Championships at the Brits, where I’m hoping to improve on this year’s placing of sixth and reach the final. That’s my biggest goal for the season. I’m also aiming to qualify for the World University Championships in December 2013.
- And you’re hoping to make your Europa Cup debut as well this season?
JO> That’s the plan. I was hoping to take part in a couple of races last year, but my coaches and I decided I wasn’t quite ready for that level yet, and I’d be better to learn by watching the races rather than risk seriously injuring myself. I feel I’m more prepared for them this year, so will be giving competing in them my best shot.
- Given snowboard cross has been dropped from the 2013 Winter X Games programme, do you still think the future is bright for the sport?
JO> I believe so. Obviously it’s a big loss for the sport, but there’s now a chance for other races to step up and fill the gap. It must have been an amazing feeling for those who were invited to compete, but saying that, there are plenty of other competitions out there, and at the end of the day, the X Games are not the be-all and end-all of our sport.
- You dominated at the University Snowboard Championships last season; that must have been a great end to the season?
JO> The Championships were a brilliant way to end the season. Finishing first in all three disciplines (Snowboardercross, Dual Slalom and Giant Slalom) really made me feel like my training had been worth it, and that I can do it. Given that I had been training harder than ever before, I would have been worried if I hadn’t been able to improve on previous results.
- How did you end up competing as a snowboard cross racer?
JO> The short answer is through University. I didn’t start to compete until I went to Strathclyde University [in Glasgow] and started to race for them. It was this that made me realise how much I did enjoy competing. Then I was lucky enough to be racing at the University Championships when the British coaches were scouting for new talent. I had a trial, ended up being selected, and haven’t looked back since! It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
- Finally, I noticed on your blog you competed in Tough Mudder this summer – are you mad?
JO> Ha, I think so. My friend made me agree to it before I really knew what it was all about. I enjoyed the thrill of doing it, and I’m glad I completed the challenge, but I’m yet to decide if I’ll be returning again next year. It takes a lot of mental strength to run through electric wires!
