5 minutes with Katie Summerhayes

Team GB, Snowsport England’s ambassador, recent gold medal winner at the 2014 Junior World Championships, and now silver medallist at the 2015 World Freestyle Ski Championships, Katie Summerhayes gives us the lowdown on what it means to be a top freestyle skier.

EB: Hi Katie, thanks for joining us. You’ve had a great year with fantastic results at Sochi and a gold from the Junior World champs. But let’s take it back to your early beginnings, how long have you been skiing for?
KS: I have been skiing for 12 years and I started freestyle skiing at the age of 8.

EB: A lot of people consider the UK to be a tough learning ground for the young budding professional skier, having learnt to ski in Sheffield, what’s your take on dry slopes?
KS: Skiing on artificial surfaces mean that you can deal with anything! It definitely makes you a better skier!

EB: And when the snow arrives in Europe, where would we find you?
KS: We spend a lot of the winter in Breckenridge, and then later in the season we use Mayrhofen as a base.

EB: I’m sure you try and make as much of the ski season as possible, but do you still ski your local spots when you’re back home?
KS: Yes! I go whenever I am back in the UK. Quite often with my sister Molly who has just got on the GB Halfpipe Ski team.

EB: We all know how land training is an essential part of race fitness, how much time do you dedicate to it?
KS: I spend about 3 hours a day in the gym – it is so important!

EB: If you had just one all-important tip you could pass on to skiers wishing to push their progression in the sport, what advice would you give?
KS: Have fun! You learn the most when you are having fun and you improve without realizing it!

EB: Who’s your best pal out on the slopes and helps you push yourself?
KS: Aimee Fuller is really fun, in fact any of the girls! I hang out a lot with Ro Cheshire and Katie Ormerod.

EB: What has been your proudest moment to date in your career?
KS: Representing my country and Team GB

EB: What would be your chocolate bar partner in crime?
KS: Dairy Milk and Oreos!