Red Bull: Alex! You just finished up at Winter X-Games. Probably not the result you're after but we've got some good news for you, you're one of the favourites to take out Cleo Bachelor of the Year. Take that Shaun White!
So firstly, tell us about what went wrong in Aspen and then tell us a little about the whole Cleo situation...
Alex: I had such a fun week of snowboarding and getting to race that track all week is always really good for my riding. After qualifying through in third for finals and having really strong starts on lock down, I went hard from the start and made a big gap between myself and the pack, but with a solid heat of some of the best riders and not enough rambling for position in the pack, they were able to ride clean and reel me in. We went into the bottom section in a tight pack. I fought hard, made back a few positions with some aggressive moves and it was only due to error of another rider in the last turn that my momentum was effected and I was unable to make it through in the top two. This is where X Games is different to the rest of our boardercross tour. There is an element of luck, which I normally never aim to rely on, but it is a part of the game at X. As for the Cleo BOTY, I haven't heard too much over here. That’s maybe another contest where it’s out of my hands a bit… Haha. Keep me posted!
Red Bull: How much of a factor does luck play in results? The field is pretty packed at X Games.
Alex: When you train for something so much, perfect a technique and ability to adapt in all conditions I find it hard to use luck as a reason for winning. But like I just spoke about, X is a different course layout to what we usually race on. It still takes a great racer to win that event of course, but you also need some things to fall into place on the day. Other courses I've raced on that have more features to work with, allow power and accuracy to break free of the luck element by putting one rider out in front and away from the others. I’m already working on my board for X Games next year that sets off a red smoke flare half-way down the course so that the pack behind loses visibility and find it harder to draft. Haha. I’m joking, but not really…
Red Bull: With the boardercross title under your belt did you feel your rivals gave you a little more attention than normal?
Alex: There’s a lot of respect as well as rivalry amongst the top riders on the boardercross tour. Like most Aussies, I love getting amongst the scene and having fun with the competitive vibe between all of us. There’s always plenty of time around the start gate to fire up a few conversations with other riders and create a bit of healthy banter before racing. It keeps it fun as well as gets me amped to ride my hardest. I really feed off riding well and I sometimes gauge that off other rivals’ reactions. When I get the cold shoulder from a few of them, I usually see it as a sign that my riding is on. That’s competition and I love it.
Red Bull: You can't fault a bloke with nine X-Games medals but was it just us or did Nate Holland have a Steven Bradbury moment in the final?
Alex: Nate has been riding solid all season and he holds up well in traffic. He's had a lot of success at X in the past, but I'm with you guys on this one. He scored a lucky break. That final was ridden best by Pierre Vaultier, I would say. The whole day, Pierre rode through traffic well and negotiated his way to the lead. Stian had also held the lead for the majority of the course and both were looking the goods for a 1-2 finish. Stian went down in the last bank and took Pierre with him. Nate was there to take the goods.
Red Bull: With the boardercross title under your belt did you feel your rivals gave you a little more attention than normal?
Alex: There’s a lot of respect as well as rivalry amongst the top riders on the boardercross tour. Like most Aussies, I love getting amongst the scene and having fun with the competitive vibe between all of us. There’s always plenty of time around the start gate to fire up a few conversations with other riders and create a bit of healthy banter before racing. It keeps it fun as well as gets me amped to ride my hardest. I really feed off riding well and I sometimes gauge that off other rivals’ reactions. When I get the cold shoulder from a few of them, I usually see it as a sign that my riding is on. That’s competition and I love it.
Red Bull: Shaun White get any kudos for his cameo in Friends with Benefits with Mila Kunis?
Alex: They love Shaun at the X Games. It was kinda funny. People were so tied up with the tight pants he was rocking. I think it might have been his own little game - just to prove how caught up with fashion people can get in snowboarding these days. But in the end it doesn't matter what you wear, it’s whose name is on the top of the podium. He dominates pipe competition and as always, put on a wicked show. There’s always the crew who would like to see others win, but he's untouchable in half pipe. And if you can end up in movies with that, then I think you have the green light to wear whatever pants you want… Right?
Red Bull: On a serious note, where are you at with the boardercross tour? What can we look forward to this year?
Alex: We have a lot more to go. I’m on the way to Canada for the next stop of the World Cup tour in Blue Mountain. Then back down to Park City for the US Grand Prix, followed by a World Cup in Quebec. I then head back to Europe to work on some boards for next season, before the last two World Cups in Italy. All the Europe World Cups are live on Eurosport – so watch it! I will keep you guys posted about the others. But I’m feeling really strong and ready to enjoy my racing in the rest of the season.
Red Bull: On a less serious note, how the hell did you end up with the nickname "Chumpy" and why have you taken it to it with such vigor...
Alex: Haha! OK, so here’s the thing. I grew up in a small town. Everyone had a handle growing up. Me especially, as my name is Alex and I was a bit serious when I was little. It came from my parents mostly, but it stuck with friends and then older crew I was snowboarding with. It was fitting as a snowboard grommet and I probably should of grown out of it at some stage. The meaning of where it all started was lost and has now just become my name. Haha. I’m a real fan on having nicknames and even making new ones for people after hanging out for a while.
Red Bull: Other than celebrities and time share, Aspen is known for one thing and one thing only - Dumb and Dumber. Lick any steel poles, steal any snow owls or stumble upon any cash and bad dudes?
Alex: Aspen has that vibe like the place to be and some Dumb and Dumber quotes are dropped every year we're in town. Believe it or not, I have witnessed someone licking a frozen lift bar. It’s legit, a tongue will stick to it like glue. Not pretty. This kid got a bit freaked and almost tore his tongue off trying to pull away. Of course, I didn't know he was planning on it and the next minute, I have a panicking kid trying to tell me to help release him from his sticky situation. With very little chance of proper pronunciation it was hard to make out a single word. He managed to break free after a dribbly struggle and with about another minute on the lift we both sat pretty silent. I did my best to make him feel better by assuring him he wasn't the first to have tried it and recommended he check out the classic movie for himself. He then confessed with his first words after the incident, to tell me that’s why he tried it. I wonder if they had stunt tongues for that movie?
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