Three months on from competing at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, slopestyle snowboarder Aimee Fuller is still enjoying the post-Olympic buzz, but is looking forward to switching her snowboard for a surfboard and enjoying a well-deserved break…
Aimee, how is life as an Olympian?
It’s been a crazy whirlwind. I’ve done a lot more snowboarding and learnt a new trick – cab double 9, but I’ve also been doing the most random things I never imagined I’d end up doing. I was even invited onto the rugby pitch at the England vs Ireland Six Nations game! I’ve met some really interesting people and had so many new opportunities; I’ve been enjoying that post-Olympic buzz.
What was it like taking part in your first Olympic Games?
Being part of Team GB was a huge honour. The fact that you’re part of such a big, strong team and wearing your country’s flag is so unique and incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced.
Do you think Sochi has inspired more people in the UK to try snow sports?
I went to the Snow Centre straight after the Games with [fellow GB snowboarder] Jamie Nicholls and I’ve never seen a snow dome so busy in my life! I went back 10 days ago and it was jammed full of people, loads of them snowboarding for the first time. The fact that people on the street now know what we do and can access the sport in the UK is incredible. Just hearing people’s stories about how we inspired them to take up snowboarding, or return to the sport, is amazing and exactly what we wanted to create from the Olympic Games.
How does being a National Lottery funded athlete help your career?
National Lottery funding was something I never, ever expected to get. It’s been such a huge help to completely focus on my sport, and have the opportunity to access of a physio who travels with the team, full time coaches and wax technicians. Everything’s so much more professional now. It’s awesome to have that backing; it makes our lives so much easier and it’s great to be part of such a strong programme.
Finally, how does an athlete who competes on snow spend the summer?
Summer months normally mean you spend a lot of time working really hard in the gym and getting as fit as possible, working on both cardio and explosive strength. Snowboarding really requires a mix of agility and endurance; we compete all day, but you also need to be really fast, agile and flexible to take the impact. I’ve also been trying to get some down time and recover from all the travelling and competing. I’ll hopefully get in a sneaky holiday at some point too and do some surfing.
You can follow Aimee Fuller on Twitter and Facebook.
For updates on the British Ski and Snowboard team visit their website.