"The Big Air ramp is 55 meters tall, about the height of a 15 story building. Snowboarders launch off the ramp, performing flips and spins. "You always have a little bit of fear of injury, but when you're doing the bigger tricks, especially the first few times you do them, especially on a new jump, it's always like all right, let's do it," FitzSimons says, adding an expletive."
"By the time they get to the Olympics, elite U.S. snowboarders have spent years getting stronger, jumping higher, flipping faster and honing all of their competitive skills, which includes calming their nerves. Many have developed their own distinct pre-drop rituals, with specific songs and physical practices that block out the noise and help them lock in. For FitzSimons, his pump-up playlist starts with old school Metallica."
Snowboarders face significant fear when competing on Olympic Big Air and halfpipe courses, with Big Air ramps reaching about 55 meters. Athletes launch, flip and spin while managing the constant risk of injury. Years of training build strength, airtime and technical skill, but mental preparation remains crucial. Competitors use individual pre-run rituals and playlists to drown out distractions and dial in focus. Some athletes prefer heavy metal to pump up, while others receive coach pep talks or sing pop songs to psych themselves up. Simple physical cues, like claps or an ollie, help some athletes settle before dropping in.
Read at www.npr.org
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