10 years in business. Sonya Fedorova: from her first snowboard to the Olympics

This year, from March 29 to April 7, one of the largest snowboarding festivals Quiksilver New Star Camp will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the Rosa Khutor resort in Sochi. In its honor “Championship” launches a series of materials “10 years in business”. Each material is a story of a pro rider’s formation, a memory of “how it was then” and what to do to make snowboarding even more popular and in demand today.

The heroine of today’s story is Sonya Fedorova, the young hope of Russia in the disciplines of slopestyle and big air, rider of Roxy team.

Pro rider’s profile

Age: 20 years.
Skating experience: 6 years.
Location: Moscow
Favorite places to ride: Rosa Khutor, Russia; Laax, Switzerland.
Favorite trick: Cab Underflip
Rider who inspires: Anna Gasser
Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/sonia_fedorova/

First time on a board: how was it?

The story is pretty simple, as a kid I used to ski with my dad and one day he decided to start snowboarding. He bought himself a snowboard, which I then safely took away from him.

What was it like before?

To be honest, I haven’t skied for 10 years, my memory from those times is the park at Snezhkom, a big party at Kant and train rides to Tyagachev. There was also a party wagon if anyone remembers.

Where can snowboarding take you?

Everywhere it can take me, already one passport has run out because of the number of visas. Been everywhere I could, mostly because of the World Cups. I really liked it in New Zealand and, of course, a lot of memories from the Olympics in Korea.

Scariest moment

It’s scary to watch others fall, and especially your friends. I was scared for my boyfriend (now husband) when, during a training session in Italy, he lost control in the air and landed off a huge ski jump right on his head! I was filming at that moment and when he fell and didn’t even move, I went into a stupor. That’s something you don’t forget.

Coolest achievement

Winning the overall World Cup title in 2018.

On how to develop snowboarding in Russia

I would build more snowboard parks in Russia, I think this is the main problem now why snowboarding is not as popular as it used to be.

Dream ride

I really want to go to Kamchatka! I think if you look at photos and videos from there – it becomes clear why it is there.

Just one piece of advice

Remember that in addition to riding in the mountains, there is also warm-up and training on the trampoline, they will help pump up the technique. Also, don’t forget your helmet and try to bend your knees more when riding.

What’s better than the mountains?

The only thing better than mountains is… spring in the mountains.