Rich keeping it ‘safe’ and ‘stylish’ for Beijing Big Air

BIG AIR: With the 2018 Winter Games edging closer, PyeongChang hopeful Jessica Rich is aiming to keep things simple when she competes at the Big Air World Cup in Beijing this week.

The 27-year-old’s main focus as she heads into her first World Cup for the season has been to ensure she is fit and ready to compete after injuries reduced the amount of time spent training in the snow.

“I’ve had a tough run with injuries this past year so I haven’t had as much time on snow as I would have liked,” she said.

“I have spent the two weeks prior to China in Austria just getting used to being back on my board. It has been great conditions over there and I’m feeling strong and excited for this World Cup.”

The Port Macquarie native first began competing internationally in 2013 on the snowboard slopestyle circuit and the possibility of an Olympic Winter Games beckoned when she competed in FIS events over the 2016/17 season.

Rich placed eighth at the Jamboree Big Air in Quebec, Canada earlier this year, narrowly missing the top six women’s final.

Competing in Slopestyle, the young gun achieved her best result of the season when she finished ninth in the qualifying round, missing the top eight final by the slimmest of margins.

As for Beijing, the goal for Rich is simple: stick to what she knows and do it well.

“My main goal for this contest is to land both my runs.

“I’m not in a position just yet to try my biggest tricks so a safe and stylish trick is what I’ll be going for. The goal is to peak around the time of the Olympics!

“There is quite a lot of travelling coming up for me. I am heading back to Europe for the World Cup in Germany and then straight to Colorado for the Copper World Cup, a quick trip home for Christmas and then back to Colorado.”

The Big Air World Cup kicks off on 24 November in Beijing, China. You can follow the live results HERE.

David Barden
OWIA