Antti Autti Interview

Jan 29 2007 / LAAX, Switzerland
Lat34 caught up with Finland's snowboarding superstar Antti Autti, who launched into the limelight when he won the 2005 Winter X Games Superpipe. Autti is the first non-American to do so against the likes of Shaun White, Danny Kass and Andy Finch. Autti is looking for another dominating season this year and has his sights set on gold.

Lat34: Hi Antti, you've been here at the BEO for two days now, how do you think the slopestyle course is looking?
AA: I think it looks good. Everyone is saying that the kickers look really poppy but I think it's cool. I rode the whole course like three times today and the jumps aren't super big, but I think you can definitely do some sick stuff off them. They put you pretty high in the air and that's a good thing. We'll see tomorrow!

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Lat34: Who have you seen who's looking good? Who would you say was the biggest threat maybe?
AA: Well I think Travis (Rice) and Shaun (White) are always strong, so they're going to be the ones to get past, but then I saw Scotty Lago and he was looking really good, and I think that Peetu Piiroinen could win it again. He won it last year and I've been riding with him for the last two weeks in Switzerland and he's riding so well at the moment.

Lat34: Have you got your line decided for tomorrow? Or is it something you make up as you go along?
AA: (Laughs) I still have to figure that one out! I was cruising today and I've got a few things that I want to try but I didn't really do much today. I think tomorrow if I want to win this I'll just have to go for it. I really want to stay in the top three for the TTR so if that's possible I have to ride pretty well so we'll see!

Lat34: You're going into the BEO as the current TTR leader. Is that on your mind?
AA: No, not really. I always want to go for it in any contest. Either do really well or come last! You just have to try as hard as you can, and this will be the same as always. But as I said, It would be nice to stay in the top three, so I have to do well enough to stay there.

Lat34: As well as the TTR ranking, are you going to do all the Open series and go for the $100,000 cash prize for the overall winner?
AA: Actually this is my first Open this year so I don't think I'll be able to win that. But I'm going to the Nippon Open and I'll be at the US Open. I'd really like to do the whole series, maybe next year? But even this one I've got to leave early as I have to skip the pipe here so I can make it to the X Games next week.

Lat34: You've just come from the O'Neill comp in Davos - is your confidence high after that win?
AA: Yeah that was good and the contest was amazing. But it was quarterpipe so this is going to be different so I'm not sure how much confidence I can take from that contest to this one. I took a little break from riding kickers recently, so going into this is going to be fresh for me at least, which could be fun. We have to see tomorrow but I'm thinking positively.

Lat34: You've been unveiling new tricks this season, have you got anything new lined up for the BEO?
AA: (Laughts) - Yeah that's funny because I have. I've been practicing some new stuff. I haven't tried anything off these kickers yet so I'm not sure if I can do it, but I'll try and pull it off. For sure all the riders here have to do at least 1080's and 90's to be in the top three.

Lat34: Who are you here with? How do you relax at a contests like this? Do you have a good crew with you?
AA: Yeah, I'm here with Andrew Mutty from Flow. He's the team manager but he's also my good friend and helps out with everything from filming to waxing boards. He's a big help for sure and it's cool to have him here.

Lat34: Thanks for taking time to talk to us Antti. So where are you going after the BEO?
AA: I leave for the X Games as soon as the Slopestyle is done here, then I'm going to the Toyota Big Air in Japan, and then I guess the Nippon Open too? I think there's only one more 6-star TTR event left which is the US Open so if I want to do well at the TTR Championships this year then I have to be at that for sure.