Sadowski-Synnott heads to Canada

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott heads to the backcountry to celebrate remarkable Olympic medal haul

Wānaka local Zoi Sadowski-Synnott who won her second medal of the Beijing Winter Olympics with a big performance in the women’s snowboard Big Air final, says the enormity of her Olympic achievement is starting to sink in.

She will fly to America this week to compete in the Natural Selection Tour, a backcountry event in Canada’s mountains where the world’s best snowboarders attend the invite-only race. The event pits veterans against newcomers, Olympians and X Games champions against backcountry film icons.

The event calls on Sadowski-Synnott’s all-round skills on the mountain. There is plenty of freedom for snowboarders to roam around the mountain for longer periods of time, in contrast to the strict discipline of the Olympic Slopestyle and Big Air.

“I’m going to hit the mountains and enjoy being outside,” Sadowski-Synnott told RNZ.

There will be plenty of friends and competitors around to help the Wanaka sensation reflect on her stunning Olympic campaign. She rewrote the history books to become the first Kiwi to win Winter Olympic gold.

“It’s a powder competition and should be really fun and exciting to watch.”

“Snowboarding is one of those sports where you have to be mentally and physically strong as well as taking risks. All of that comes into being a snowboarder, so it attracts a certain kind of person. Really cool people…”

Sadowski-Synnott was thrilled to add silver to the gold medal she won in the Slopestyle. Just shy of her 21st birthday she incredibly holds a full set of Olympic medals, after winning bronze four years ago.

Once the racing is over in Canada, she’ll be returning home to Wānaka to see friends and family who she thanked after the race for supporting her Olympic campaign.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“I don’t really know what I’m doing when I get home, I’m just going to figure it out as I go, and hope to have some fun,” the 20-year-old said.

Sadowski-Synnott wants to be home in time to attend her oldest brother’s wedding, in her close-knit family.

“I might be in isolation for my 21st birthday which would be pretty sick,” she said.

She’s eyeing another Olympic campaign in four years time, but wants to let the experience settle in first.

“I hope I’ve inspired a lot of people to hit the mountains and enjoy being outside,” she said.

RNZ