Aline Bock, Freestyler now Freerider to look out for...

Scared is not a term found in Aline Bock’s vocabulary. The taste of a World Championship makes her hungry for success. The former Freestyle Snowboarder has had a great deal of success in Halfpipe and Slopestyle competition and this success continued to follow her. Aline entered the Freeride World Tour through a wildcard spot, after placing first in the Freeride World Qualifier Event in Schruns/Montafon and second in The Stimorol Engadin Snow competition, in which she competed in a combination of a Freestyle-Freeride event. Aline made a grand entrance into the Freeride World Tour when she won first place in Russia, combining Freestyle and Freeride elements to cross the finish line in style. Aline also ranked in the top three at other competitions, which led Aline in her very first season of Freeride competition, to be ranked second place overall. This earned her the title of Vice World Champion in total points for the Freeride World Ranking 2009.

When and how did you start snowboarding?
"1994 was the first time I stood on a snowboard. That Christmas my father put a snowboard under the tree for my brother, sister, and me. My whole family skied and my dad thought it would be fun for us to try something new. We had no idea about snowboarding. We didn't know how to stand on the board. The words goofy or regular were foreign terms. My first time on the snowboard was pretty difficult, my usual good coordination and excitement weren't enough, and I could only go a few meters at a time. Finally, it became clear to me that as a left handed person, it might makes sense to put my other foot in front. When I did that I finally got down the hill."

How did you move from Freestyle to Freeriding?
"At the age of 15 I started participating in Halfpipe contests. Also during school and in college I would compete in slopestyle events. At some point I realized that I was one of the oldest in the competitions and I asked myself what's next? I was ready to get a "real job" and keep snowboarding as a hobby. But last season was the best season I've ever had. The inspiration to participate in the Freeride competition came from one of my friends who is a skier. I had often been in the deep snow with friends but had never taken part in these sort of competitions. Freeriding is a lot about experience, how to evaluate the mountain, the snow, the wind, and your own abilities. The Freeride competition is also creative and allows me to incorporate tricks from Freestyle. It just seemed like I could incorporate all of my experiences.”

What do you take with you on the mountain?
“For the backcountry an absolute MUST: Avalanche tranceiver, shovel, avalanche probe, and you should get lots of practice using these instruments!!! Helmet, cell phone, drinks, and last but not least, I always have some chocolate with me.”

What was your favorite experience last winter?
"As a novice to the Freeride World, I naturally didn't have any big expectations at my first big event at Sochi in Russia. I just wanted to participate and allow myself to form an impression of this "new world" of snowboarding. When at the end of the event, I was standing on the podium, holding the first place trophy, it became clear that I had made the right decision to participate in freeride competitions. Another great moment was when my parents surprised me by coming to the final event in Verbier, Switzerland."

How are you preparing yourself for the Freeride World Tour?
"You learn how to free ride by freeriding. A lot of things happen in your head, and so I find mentally preparing myself to be very helpful. In the fall, I start my condition to make sure I have the strength and stamina to be able to compete. I've got to be in great shape to avoid getting injuries."

What are you most looking forward to on the Freeride World Tour 2010?
"Participating in a freeride competition, for me, isn't just about having the perfect descent down the mountain. The freeride competition has taught me a lot about the environment of totally different places, all of which have the best freeriding conditions in the world. I've also met a lot of interested people in foreign countries and loved learning about their cultures and traditions. I am very excited to meet new people and explore these beautiful places in 2010."

What are your goals for the Freeride World Tour 2010?
"To have fun, excitement, and of course win the Title! Without getting an injuries,that would be nice ;-)“

Do you have any other projects planned for this winter?
"Besides participating in the Freeride World Tour I have some other projects planed. I am intensively preparing for my first time to go down the Mount Olympus in Greece. I am also going to be working for my sponsors like coaching younger talents at a Roxy Night Session or participating in an Ortovox Freeride Avalanche camp. I am also excited about taking part in the new Völkl Team Movie and being in a bunch of other photo and film shoots."

What do you do when you are not riding your snowboard?
"Besides snowboarding I also love surfing. I love the ocean as much as the mountains and I need the sun, beach, and the waves to tank up energy for the next winter."

Do Freeriding and environmental protection fit together? What are your thoughts on saving the environment?
"Our winter sports areas are easily reachable by public transportation. There are enough ski lifts and courses. I don't think we should support the opening of any more ski/snowboard areas and especially not ones that are on glaciers. Of course it is possible that when we are freeriding we might come across some animals living on the mountain and scare them. Keeping distance from animals and trees and staying on the route is also very important. I've seen first hand how the glacier areas have been negatively impacted from the summer crowds."

What is your message to snowboarders?
"Please watch out for each other, especially at the end of the route, or when fresh snow has fallen. Be careful--remember that exploring amazing powder can easily become the worst day in your life. It's better to do less and have an amazing time with friends then to have to be transported out by a helicopter. Bring the correct supplies, avalanche tranceiver, shovel, and avalanche probe. Practice using the equipment for yourself and your friends. Too many people have been seriously hurt and died because they weren't prepared. THANKS!"


What’s your message to the world?
"Think Green!!!"

More Information about Aline Bock at www.alinebock.de

*Photos: Daniel Zangerl & Marcel Laemmerhirt