CHINA INTRO TO 2022 | PART 1
RIDERS
THE ROAD TO BEIJING IS BECOMING SHORTER WITH EVERY PASSING WEEK.
CURRENTLY, THE PYEONGCHANG WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES ARE DOMINATING THE HEADLINES, AND RIGHTFULLY SO. SOON THOUGH, ALL IS SET TO “GO” FOR A FULL-ON FRENZY ON FOCUSING ON CHINA, IN PARTICULAR ON BEIJING AND ITS LOCAL PROTAGONISTS. THE CAPITAL OF THE MIDDLE KINGDOM IS SLATED TO BECOME THE FIRST CITY TO HOST BOTH SUMMER AND WINTER OLYMPICS, BUT....
What is the industry like?
Who are the players?
What are the expectations towards the 2018 Games in South Korea?
What is happening nationwide during the season?
The CHINA INTRO TO 2022 series is a five part “Who / What / Where / How” introduction to the tightly knit Chinese winter sports industry with a focus on snowboarding.
Contact Token Consulting to discuss opportunities to collaborate and tap into the largest remaining developing winter sports market!
Who are the Chinese shredders dominating national and international podiums and buzz?
Get to know the five most dominant, unique, driven and successful Chinese snowboarding talents.
THE FEMALE PARK RIPPER + MENTOR TO MANY
朱虹 Zhu Hong
NICKNAME
Hong Jie, Rainbow Sister
MOST CHERISHED TRIUMPH
„Ever day I teach is a triumph.“
FAVORITE TRICK
BS180
GEAR
HOLDEN, DRAGON, ARBOR, NITRO, JBMC
Zhu Hong has evolved in recent years from not only being a major female force in any competition she entered, but in becoming the most sought after female pro instructor of China.
She carries a unique set of precision, skill and style paired with a fun and outgoing character.
In short, she is the darling of any on-snow or social event. Day students and campers usually go home awe-struck by the friendly force that has been pushing their progression to unbeknown heights.
When we asked about her take on why kids in China should be inspired to learn snowboarding, she said this: „Snowboarding in China took off later than other countries. In the past, kids and parents didn’t have the chance to know about it. Now snowboarding is fast becoming a standard part in PE classes at school. There are no excuses to not let kids go snowboarding at an early age. It’s pretty cool for kids to snowboard!“
Zhu Hong follows the snow, and is loyal to her Beijing hills, and you can often find her ride at Nanshan, Dolomiti or Fulong. In regard to the pending Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she voices pragmatic thoughts: „Every Olympics will push winter sports forward. I hope to see all the Chinese athletes perform at top level.“
THE ROOKIE
è‹Â翊鸣 Su Yi-ming
NICKNAME
Xiao Ming, Ming Ge
MOST CHERISHED TRIUMPH
Landing a BS Double Cork
FAVORITE TRICKS
BS 720 Mute Grab, FS 720 Melon Grab
GEAR
BURTON
Su Yi-ming is an extremely driven young snowboarder. Yet despite his talent and skyrocketing popularity, he is humble and outgoing. He is a young gun full of questions for life, but he has got the snowboarding part mostly figured out. Su Yi-ming’s runs are extremely fun to watch, and there is great potential that he will shape snowboarding in China for decades to come.
He hopes that more kids can access safe and fun snowboarding lessons:
“Both skiing and snowboarding create a unique feeling. It is freedom and relaxation in one.”
Su Yi-ming has a calm approach to riding, and he does so happily in Japan or New Zealand with friends, aside from his training regimen that brings him to all four corners of the world.
So far, his best day this season was at the “Banana Open” where everything came together: enough rest & relaxation combined with a good practice run and good scored performance.
! Follow this series to learn more about popular Chinese events, coming up in Part 3 !
His take on Pyeongchang? “ I very much look forward to watching my favorite riders live and in top shape at the game venue.”
THE MULTI-SPORT PHENOMENON
Lin Xiaojun aka AGui
NICKNAME
阿鬼 AGui
RIDING SINCE
2011
MOST CHERISHED TRIUMPHS
2017, NITRO Open Slopestyle Champion
2017, TOREAD Snow One BigAir Open Slopestyle, 3rd place
2016, 1st National Snowboarding Championships, Slopestyle 5th place, Big Air, 8th place
CURRENT FAVORITE TRICK
BS 720 Mute
GEAR
NITRO, DRAGON
AGui is a multi-sport athlete, garnering high accolades as one of China’s best wakeboarders before turning his interest and passion to snowboarding. The Guilin native takes contest preparation seriously and follows an intensified training regimen in advance of a competition. The funny, reggae loving man understands the power of the mind well, and inserts enough relaxation in preparation phases leading up to exhausting days on the hill.
“My favorite part is to share the joy snowboarding brings with people. With my friends, we go snowboarding everywhere, and it is always fun.” says AGui about his dedication and approach to the sport.
He experienced the best time as professional rider recently and comments on his success that despite making some mistakes, it’s been a smooth ride all of last year. AGui makes a solid case for snowboarding as positive, healthy and fun outdoor activity fir everyone and especially for kids:
“The earlier kids get efficient and safe training, the easier it is for them to learn and improve. Kids are our future!”
AGui is keen to watch the Slopestyle competitions at Pyeongchang, qualifiers and finals for men and women are taking place on February 10, 11 and 12 2018.
THE CONSISTENT ONE
龙笙 Andrew
RIDING SINCE
Age 14
MOST CHERISHED TRIUMPH
„Learning and growing through all the hard times and making my next move my best move.“
GEAR
686 Outerwear, Burton Freethinker Board, Garmin Cameras and Watch, Deeluxe Boots, JBMC gloves
STANCE
51 cm wide 12-12 angles
Andrew has been a fixture of the Chinese snowboard scene since for a good 15 seasons already, and his incredible focus and drive make him an outstanding athlete. His versatility and flexibility pay off, as he carefully runs through all trick options available when preparing for a competition.
Photos: Manoel Antunes Martins Neto
“On a day with a contest, I start the day by eating a healthy breakfast, trying to arrive early, stretch, consider the terrain and go ride with friends. My favorite trick changes every time I ride. It just depends on what’s going good that day and the terrain in front of me.” says Andrew about his approach.
His thoughts regarding kids learning snowboarding are the following: “It’s a sport where there is a lot more freedom and variations to how it can be done and practiced. There is not such a rigid “must do” way (although that is now changing), and there is a lifestyle attached to it, which is my favorite part. I’d say to kids give it a go and if you don’t like it try something else but its important to do some type of physical activity you like, as it will help grow you as a person and remember its not all about being the best, everyone has different strengths!”
Andrew is sure that Pyeongchang 2018 will help to spread snowboarding to a wider audience.
THE GRANDE DAME OF HALFPIPE
刘佳宇 Liu Jiayu
NICKNAME
Jiayu
RIDING SINCE
2003
MOST CHERISHED TRIUMPH
Dewtour Champion
GEAR
NIKE, BURTON
“Work hard, play hard, enjoy life!” is Liu Jiayu’s mantra.
Hailing from North Eastern China, the Kung-Fu whizz listens to music to calm her nerves before a competition. Her favorite riding places with friends are anywhere in the US, where she spends many weeks every season to train and compete at all major contests.
Beautiful inside and out, the seasoned Superstar recalls the World Cup in China end of 2017 as her best day on the slopes so far this season: “I was excited and the halfpipe was in great shape.”
Thinking of the next generation of riders, Liu Jiayu talks with ease about snowboarding as a sport that is foremost an enjoyable activity, and one to gain much experience and a sense of achievement.
Here is her take on the upcoming Games:
“Be myself, show my best, step by step, score the best.”
All images via Rider’s archives / credit as such if not stated otherwise.
This series has been developed with the support of the China SNOWboard Association, special thanks to the CSbA President and China’s Pioneer of Snowboarding Wang Lei.