FWT couple: Cody Townsend & Elyse Saugstad

Their beginnings in skiing/freeriding…
Elyse: It is not as though there was a congruent transition from ski racing to extreme competition for me. It was in college that I decided I was done ski racing, I wasn’t enjoying it anymore and I wanted to focus my attention on new things. During college I rekindled my passion for just freeskiing. After I graduated I spent a few years traveling and then moved back to the Tahoe area. It was during this period that my skiing talent was noticed and I was given the chance to pursue freeskiing professionally. Then, I felt the next logical step towards becoming a successful professional skier was to compete in the Extreme competitions. In doing so, I would challenge myself in new ways and ultimately prove my abilities to my sponsors that I indeed have what it takes to film.
Cody: I grew up in Santa Cruz, California and began skiing when I was 2 years old. My parents were diehard skiers and would drive up to Tahoe (5 hours drive, each way) every weekend. I fell in love with skiing from a very young age and never looked back. It’s been my focus, my passion and my life since the first day I put on skis. I think the only reason I’ve had successes in ski racing and freeriding is because I love skiing so damn much.

Elyse talks about the mental aspect of extreme competitions… I like to compete in the contests because it challenges me mentally and physically. I feel like the risks aren’t any greater for the women than the men and I handle it the same way they do. As an athlete you need to bring it all together for a specific moment, and push your mind and body to its maximum potential. The risk factor will always be there, but focusing on the positives of what and how you plan to execute your run versus the negatives of what not to do is a much better way to approach it. To put any ideas in you head that doesn’t reinforce your confidence in your abilities can and will undermine your goals

Their take on the FWT…
Elyse: The organizers of the FWT have a great vision that is going to help our sport, so being a part of it all amounted for an amazing experience. One cool aspect of the FWT is competing alongside the snowboarders who have a different take on how to ride the mountain. Another great thing about the tour is that it is a limited, small number of competitors from all over the world traveling together, so we become really close and have tons of fun together on or off the snow. Finally, the venues that we compete at are some of the most iconic in the ski world, which makes for some great riding.
Cody: This year was my first year competing in Freeride skiing. So I had a lot to learn while stepping it up against the best in the world. There were many challenges and the successes I had made a lot of it worthwhile. I plan to come back on tour next year with all of my focus going into winning the world title.

Their life together on the FWT…
Cody: Traveling and competing with Elyse has been great. It makes the highs that much higher because you have your girlfriend there to celebrate along with. The only downside is it was the first time in my life I’ve gotten nervous for someone else before their competition runs.
Elyse: Being able to travel with Cody makes life on the road so much more bearable. By the end of the season when everyone else just wants to do nothing but get home to spend time with their significant other, Cody and I have no problem sticking it out. I feel pretty lucky being able to ski with him at all these amazing places; it’s something that we get to experience together versus trying to relate it to one another afterwards. Plus, I think he is such an amazing skier so being able to see him ski on a regular basis allows me to take something from it and hopefully improve my skiing.

Life outside skiing and the FWT…
Elyse: I live in Olympic Valley, California in the winter and Santa Cruz, California during the summer. I am infatuated with the beach/ocean and would live there year round if I didn’t have this crazy passion for skiing. I love food and wine, and have taken several sommelier classes. Besides that, I love to be active, try new things, and be surrounded by interesting, happy people.
Cody: Well I’m a very active person. If I don’t do some sort of sport or physical activity, I don’t feel like the day is complete. I’m also really into organic food and good wine. I also love to be on the river fly fishing, play poker until the sun comes up and ride my motorcycle around the hills of Santa Cruz. But most of all I just want to see, taste, and experience the many different things this world has to offer.