New Zealand big air and slopestyle snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is preparing for her toughest ever competition as she heads to her second Winter Olympic Games.
“The state of women’s snowboarding is amazing right now, everyone’s progressed so much since the last Olympics, it’s going to be a crazy show,” says Sadowski-Synnott.
The 20-year-old Wānaka local won bronze at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games and is eyeing back-to-back Winter Olympic medals with just weeks until Beijing 2022.
"I want to win gold, but it's not just about the outcome, it's how you get there. Performance comes over outcome for me," she adds.
Sadowski-Synnott admits she does feel the expectation surrounding her but says she’s using it as motivation.
“I definitely feel a bit of pressure but it’s all good, I love the pressure. I’m working with people to make sure it doesn’t get too hectic and when it comes to performance time I can put it down when it counts.”
Sadowski-Synnott will arrive in Beijing off the back of her most successful Northern Hemisphere season in 2020/21, landing on the podium in every competition she dropped into.
She became the first snowboarder ever to defend a Slopestyle World Championship title in March 2021 and won the silver medal at the Big Air World Championships. She also claimed two X Games medals as well as a World Cup gold and silver.
“I’m super stoked with how I’ve done over the past few years and I guess I’m one to watch now. I’ve been working on some tricks that I’ve wanted to do for years and hopefully will be able to put them down at Games time.”
She says pulling on the fern and competing for New Zealand will never get old.
“I’m super excited. To wear the silver fern and represent New Zealand makes me really proud. I feel like I’m representing the whole country and I can’t wait to compete again on the biggest sporting stage in the world.”
Sadowski-Synnott begins her Winter Olympic campaign on February 5th. She’s coached by Sean Thompson.
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