Always a Bridesmaid
Jan 14 2007 / Vail, CONorwegian ninja Andreas Wiig was heavily favored to win the Vail Session, after all, he’s taken second the past two years and the person who got first (Shaun White) didn’t show up. So it was no surprise when he secured the victory with his very first run of the night. But don’t think he only won because Shaun wasn’t there.
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Andreas’s winning run included a backside rodeo 1080 into a cab 1080, then a switch baskide nine to frontside 1080, all done with impeccable style. So clearly, Andreas is good at snowboarding, but he’s also a really nice guy.
The 25 year old is originally from Oslo, Norway, but now splits most of his downtime between Costa Mesa and South Lake Tahoe, CA. He is an official member of the Grenade Army, and even had his own pro model glove coming out for ’08. He is also one of the major players behind the rider owned O-matic Snowboards. Lat34 set out to find out more.
Lat34: How long have you been snowboarding?
Andreas: 14 years
Lat34: How long have you been competing?
Andreas: 10 years, 5 years in USA
Lat34: How is the Session different from other contests?
Andreas: First of all it’s at nighttime, so the atmosphere is really unique since it’s dark and the jumps really stand out in the nighttime lights. They also have a fire that explodes behind the riders on the last jump. It’s four good size jumps in a row, which I haven’t seen in any other contests. Since these jumps are really good the level of riding usually is really high and the level of jumping is pushed every year. It’s a jam format that goes on for 1,5 hours in the final and it makes you relax a little bit more when you ride. Only one run counts.
Lat34: What is Vail like? Do you like riding there?
Andreas: I haven’t actually explored to much of the mountain, since I’ve only been there for the contests. But I hear it’s a really good place for freeriding when it’s powder. I like riding the park here, but maybe it’s time to do some freeriding here to. The town is also rad with all the pedestrian roads and restaurants.
Lat34: Where is your favorite place to ride?
Andreas: Tahoe backcountry and Heavenly resort in South Lake Tahoe.
Lat34: What type of terrain do you ride the most?
Andreas: I think overall I ride the park most, but I almost spend the same amount of time in the backcountry during the main season.
Lat34: You are originally from Norway, but now live in Mammoth, right? Why do you choose to live in the States?
Andreas: I don’t really live anywhere when I’m here since I’ traveling all the time. I choose to live in the States so I can be able to do my job without traveling half way around the world all the time. Also the conditions are usually more stable and better than back home. And you got more sun! But I’m staying at my house in Norway during the summer, and that’s kind of where I live my normal life without living in a bag.
Lat34: What’s different about the US from Norway?
Andreas: Everything is bigger and more commercialized in the US. There are a lot of opportunities to make it big in the States, but you also don’t have the safety net for the people that aren’t as fortunate. For example we have free medical care back home, which would be really nice to have over here as well. You can say that the differences between people living situations are smaller back home.
Lat34: What do you like to do other than snowboarding?
Andreas: I surf whenever I get the chance, and that’s what I’m the most stoked on besides snowboarding. I also skate, play soccer and mountain bike. I got a guitar for Christmas from my girlfriend, so I started to play a little bit.
Lat34: I’ve heard you are a big myspace fan. What is your page (if you don’t mind giving it out) and do you approve everyone who requests you?
Andreas: Myspace.com/andreaswiig
Lat34: Do you focus mainly on competing or filming, or a good mix of both? Do you set goals for your season? If so, what are your goals for this season?
Andreas: I would say that I focus on both. In the beginning of the season I focus on contests and later on it’s all about filming. But I think doing contest is good for filming because you get to ride a lot more and hopefully learn some new moves.
My goals this season are to get a trick I’ve never had in my videopart before and win one or two of the big contests in the States. So I’ll hope for the best!
Lat34: What is the coolest thing you’ve gotten to do so far? Where is the best place you’ve been?
Andreas: I went to Bali for three weeks during the summer of 2005, and my buddies and me had so much fun. The waves were awesome, and we surfed every single day. It was just cool to go somewhere that different from the rest of the world and doesn’t live by the clock.
Lat34: What is the best part about being a pro snowboarder?
Andreas: You get to ride powder without worrying about going to work :)
