Janne Korpi
THE SEASON
Janne Korpi stormed into the 2008/09 season. Sitting second on the TTR World Tour Rankings after the first few events, he was putting pressure on the lead at the O'Neill Evolution in January - winning the slopestyle. But just as he looked to follow that with a quarterpipe result, he came down hard on the flat in the quarterfinals, breaking his shinbone and putting him out for the rest of the season.
Now as the 2009/10 season gets ready to kick off, Janne is making his first steps back into a snowboard in eight months when he heads to New Zealand in August.
THE START
Growing up in a village in Finland, the son of a horse trainer, Janne didn't think too much about becoming a professional snowboarder. He spent a fair share of time tending to, and racing, the family's 30 horses. He started snowboarding when his older brother decided that he wanted a board for himself. Janne was eight at the time. The day they went shopping for his brother's new board, there was a two-for-one sale - and Janne got his first snowboard.
For Janne, professional snowboarding wasn't his first choice. "First snowboarding was only my hobby. I just realized a couple of years ago that I could earn some money with my hobby."
In the beginning it was enough that his parents gave him the opportunities to practice: "My mom drove me every day to the ski center and my dad paid for my trips abroad so that I was able to ride if we did not have snow in Finland."
There was also the influences of other riders that helped him get to where he is today. Swayed mostly by fellow Finns, Janne looks to Sami and Jari Tuoriniemi, Eero Ettala, Heikki Sorsa, and Markku Koski for inspiration.
It's no surprise to hear Janne say that style is more important than tricks, and that the most important and hardest thing is to do is 'hard tricks with good style'. My style has become a little bit more smooth, because my hands don't move that much anymore; but I'm still working on it," he says.
Janne wins the FIS Stockholm Big Air
Janne Korpi repeats feat in Stockholm big air
In Stockholm on Saturday, it was Janne Korpi, who was unbeatable; despite the fact that he had just sneaked into the final of the best twelve riders. The 22-year-old winner of the Saas-Fee half-pipe and 2005 Junior World Champion (HP) got back to business and celebrated his fifth World Cup triumph and second back-to-back win at the 1912 Olympic Stadion in Stockholm.
Korpi's victory was even more impressive as the Finn missed the on-site training: "While doing some rails, I broke my bindings and wasn't able to practice at all. I was pretty disappointed." In the competition, however, he threw an outstanding "Frontside 1080" and a stylish "Cab 900" beating the international competition including his team mates Antti Autti, Risto Mattila and Peetu Piiroinen.
How did you become a snowboarder?
My dad works training horses and my mom does the accounts. I grew up with horses. It was a funny thing. My brother wanted to buy a snowboard. There was a two-for-one sale so my dad got another one for me. I was about eight years old at the time. My brother is two years older than me.
When did you turn pro?
I was 16 when I tried to go professional.
How easy was it to go pro?
Quite easy, but I was helped by my family. They fully supported my aim to be pro. At first my parents paid for my trips. Then if I got money for competitions I would help out. After a few years I got my first sponsors.
Did sponsorship change everything for you?
It didn't change my life – I guess I just didn't have to ask for money any more from my parents.
Competing vs. filming?
I like competing. Competitions don't feel like work. I will think about filming one day but for now I'm still enjoying competitions.
How much travelling do you get to do?
I travel 70 percent of the year. Sometimes I feel like I would like it to stop especially at the end of the year. I have friends back home who all have normal jobs so that's hard.
Where is top of your 'to go' list?
China. Beijing would be an incredible place to check out.
Favourite trip?
Japan – the snow is incredible, the people are so nice, it's a safe country and the food is so so good.
The worst thing about snowboarding for a living?
The downside is that you don't get to see your friends and family. Sometimes I would like to live a normal life and stay in one place and for more than two weeks. And sometimes I get homesick – friends and family are the best thing.
When you win a comp?
I go drinking
When you loose a comp?
I go drinking.
When not snowboarding?
Tennis, golf, beach volleyball (in a city beach made of sand)
What annoys you?
When people stress too much
What do you listen to when snowboarding?
Nothing... if I do, I can't hear the snow.
What's your most embarrassing moment?
Something I am not going to share
What keeps you from snowboarding?
The Finnish summer
What is snowboarding to you?
The best way to live your life
Best place in the world and why?
Sydney because it's got a mix of chilled life and city life mixed together.