outsidesports · 7 years ago
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An interview with Nico Porteous
New Zealand seems to breed talented skiers and snowboarders from a young age and Nico Porteous is on the right track to becoming a household name in freestyle skiing. This local Wanaka boy who has been picked up by big brands such as Redbull, GoPro, and Atomic Skis is blowing into the scene and achieving some amazing things. Last season he became the youngest skier to ever land a triple cork 1440 which really put him on the map and with more big goals he has a bright future ahead. We are very excited to bring Nico on as an Outside Sports ambassador as a very talented and friendly young man. Have a read of our interview with Nico below…
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interviewed by Elmo Cotter
Name:   Nico Porteous
Age:  15
Home:  Wanaka NZ
School:  Te Kura Correspondence School
What do you do for fun?  Skiing, Snowboarding, MTB, and Skateboarding
 Your killing it with your skiing, tell us a bit about how you got into it and where it has taken you.
Oh gee thanks. I had my first taste of skiing on a family holiday when I was 4, and I was hooked, but it was pretty hard not to be when I have an older brother to try and keep up with. I really got into it about 6 years ago and started to spend time in the Northern Hemisphere competeing in the American Competitions.  This year was my first year competing at World Cup level in Ski Half Pipe.
 Where do you ski mostly and what are your favourite runs?
Cardrona is my home mountain and it’s where I spend most of my winter days.
 You were the youngest person to land the triple cork 1440 last season, that’s pretty huge! What are your goals for the season?
The Winter Games are happening this year with the Half Pipe event taking place up at Cardrona. It’s my first Winter Games and the 1st WC for the 2017/18 season. I’d really like to just come out skiing well and put in a couple of new tricks that I’ve learnt over the last couple of months.
 What’s your ultimate goal, where do you want to be one day?
The ultimate goal would be to win a medal at the 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics and podium at X Games.
Do you spend much time in NZ during summer too or just chasing winters now?
Unfortunately I don’t get to see any of the NZ summer at the moment but that is something I can look forward to later on.
 I see you have got yourself a new Specialized Enduro, what made you interested in mountain riding?
I’ve always liked biking and when I was young and lived in Chch we used to regularly go to Bottle Lake for a ride. One year I was at a summer ski camp in Whistler and after skiing I used to watch the guys biking and always thought it looked so much fun.
 How’s the new bike?
I’m absolutely stoked with it – it’s sooo cool.
 Where is your favourite place to ride and do you have a favourite trail?
Sticky Forest and my favourite trails would be Dizzy Turns or Bilantis
 Who are your biggest role models?
My brother Miguel, James “Woodsy” Woods (a British Slopestyle skier, and another avid MTB’er) and the Wells brothers.
 What are the Top 3 things on your Bucket List right now?
Going to watch a Summer X Games
Being in Whistler when Crankworx is on and experiencing powder skiing in Japan.
 Thanks to/shout outs?
It goes without saying that my Mum and Dad have to be at the top of the list – they’re always supporting me and make big sacrifices so I can do what I do.  Tommy Pyatt my coach has been with me since the beginning and of course my great team of sponsors : Redbull, GoPro, Atomic, Planks Clothing, Giro Snow, Cardrona, SSNZ and of course Specialized NZ and the crew at Outside Sports Wanaka.
 Watch Nico land his triple cork 1440 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMk2XZWU2TY
 Nicos’ “Superunknown” video edit from 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMk2XZWU2TY
  Follow him on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nicoporteous/
 Follow him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Nico-Porteous-1497036130555585/
 #Whereadventuresbegin
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