Eyes On: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott
In February 2018, all eyes were on 16-year-old Zoi Sadowski-Synnott as she became New Zealand’s first Winter Olympic medallist in 26 years, claiming a bronze medal in women’s big air.
We had a chat to the young Cardrona team rider about her career so far, & her hopes for the future.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott
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Started snowboarding age: 8 or 9
Regular/goofy: Regular
Disciplines: Slopestyle & Big Air
Sponsors: Red Bull, Von Zipper, Nitro, Union, Rad Gloves, Cardrona Alpine Resort
Favourite trick: Front 3 or back 1
Tell us about your earliest childhood memories of snowboarding in Wanaka:
I went for a lesson up Snow Park NZ with my sister during night riding & that was probably my earliest memory.
What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you on the snow?
I caught toes on the take-off of a front 7 on the third jump at Cardrona (so a really big jump), & pretty much superman front flipped over & landed on my shoulder which was really scary!
How’d you get into competitive snowboarding?:
My first competition was in Whistler, Canada. I won a phone at the comp because I was the only girl & it was a spot prize, so that was really cool.
What was the craziest thing about winning a bronze medal for New Zealand?
Probably not realising it was the first medal for New Zealand in 26 years, & how much of a big deal that was. I wasn’t expecting the reaction.
How do you deal with the pressure of high-level competition?
I don’t feel any pressure when I’m snowboarding – I just do me. When I’m snowboarding I don’t worry about anyone else. I’m just focused on snowboarding so I don’t feel any pressure.
Who do you look up to – in snowboarding/outside of snowboarding?
In snowboarding I look up to my coach, Mitch Brown. Firstly he’s got the best style, & then he just knows what to do in every situation – in competition & out of competition, he just knows what it’s like. He’s a good role model & I’m really lucky to have him as a coach. Outside of snowboarding, I look up to my parents & my siblings.
Which of your achievements outside of snowboarding are you most proud of & why?:
I don’t have much of a life outside of snowboarding! I’m proud that I’ve made it this far in school – I didn’t really expect to still be in school. It’s really hard to get through it all so I’m proud of that.
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What are your goals from here?
I’m definitely looking at China in 2022. Then my goal is just to keep having fun & staying healthy so hopefully I have a long career.
This interview was first published in our 2018 Heart of Gold magazine – pick up your copy on the mountain next time you're up!
Author's note: Since this was published last year, Zoi's career has exploded! At X Games Aspen in 2019, she claimed a silver medal in Big Air & a Gold medal in Slopestyle. She also claimed the World Champion slopestyle title at Park City, Utah!