The upload before Ruben Rosenfors, Riksgränsen snowboard and ski club, first World Cup competition of the season got a real thorn already on the way to the USA. Both Ruben and national team captain Niklas Mattsson suffered delays, and once in Denver it was clear that the bags – including Ruben’s snowboard equipment – had not arrived.
– It wasn’t quite what we had hoped for. We ran out of bags when we arrived in Denver, and still haven’t gotten any clarity on where our bags are at the moment, says Niklas.
The messy trip also meant that Ruben missed the first official on-site training in Aspen. In order to make the best of the situation and still be able to get out on the hill, he had to rent equipment.
– This didn’t quite go as planned, but we did the best we could by renting equipment and buying clothes to be able to get out and inspect the “course”. So I’ve got a slightly better picture of what you have to work with before the qualifier on Thursday. But it’s difficult to perform something special when you don’t have your own stuff on your feet, says Ruben.
“A pair of Sorels in comparison”
Just like for all elite athletes, the equipment is both personal and a crucial part of the performance – therefore it cannot be compared to riding on rental equipment. It’s not just about comfort, but about feeling, precision and security.
– We have tried to make the best of the situation, but it is obviously difficult for Ruben to ride at his absolute highest level as boots are an extremely essential part of the equipment. Rental boots are not known for being particularly stiff, so we got boots that were like a pair of Sorels in comparison, says Niklas.
Ruben makes his season premiere at the World Cup – after all
Despite the controversy, the competition in Aspen is the season’s first World Cup in slopestyle – and Ruben’s season premiere at this level. He comes into the competition with a strong result behind him after being third – and the best Swede – in the Swedish Snowboard Series (SSS) at home in Kiruna earlier in the season.
Qualifiers await in Aspen on Thursday, where Ruben, despite the conditions, aims to make the best of the situation.
Swedish skiers World Cup, slopestyle (Aspen, USA)
Ruben Rosenfors, Riksgränsen snowboard and ski club (RISK)
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