Janette Hargin: Life Beyond The Gates

Former Olympic ski racer Janette Hargin (SWE) has transitioned from professional gate basher to leader of the women’s ski division of the Freeride World Tour 2011.

FWT: A lot of Freeride World Tour riders have race backgrounds but you actually competed in World Cup and the Olympics. What is your favorite discipline and why?

JH: Downhill was, and still is, my favorite. It’s complex and downhill racers need lots of skills and guts.

FWT: What was the biggest moment in your racing career?

JH: Participating in the Olympics is by far the biggest moment, especially in Salt Lake City with all the American enthusiasm.

FWT: What does a racing background give a rider that enables her to do so well in freeride contests?

JH: Everyone with an alpine background has learned the basic technique and position on the skis that for sure also helps their freeriding. In addition, a racing background also helps mentally in a contest situation. I, personally, am used to competition and know how to handle pressure and the big desire to succeed. I don’t get stressed at the start if I am nervous because I know I can overcome it mentally.

FWT: How does competing in the FWT compare to the FIS?

JH: So many differences! No red safety net along the ‘line’ anymore! Ski racing on a slope is more about making the perfect run in the best time. Freeriding is all new every time you ski down. You never know what to expect or how the snow will be. Compare that to a course with gates where you know every millimeter before start. Freeriding is more of a mental game.

FWT: The women’s FWT underwent some changes this year. How do you feel about them?

JH: It’s a lot of fun now that it is open to a lot more girls this year but I feel it turned out a bit wrong anyway. Now everyone expects to go straight into the FWT without even qualifying. For me, that shows a lack of respect for all the girls who have worked hard for many years to qualify. I think it’s great to open up the field and get more girls at the start but there has to be a limit of what’s ok. This season anyone could just come and participate and that does not push the level. It just makes it look worse. Some girls came and just skied the face on an open snowfield and that’s not the level of the Freeride World Tour in my eyes. I want to push the limit a bit higher than that and that’s what I want to be identified with.

FWT: How has your experience been on the FWT so far?

JH: It’s so much fun but it’s also hard. It’s a lot about being smart and finding the right level of risk taking. For me, the hardest thing to learn was how to find a smart line that I knew I could ski well. I am getting better at making ‘smart’ decisions and getting more and more comfortable in the whole setting.

FWT: It's a close contest for the overall lead. What’s your plan for the next few events?

JH: I will just continue and ski as many competitions as I can. I will continue trying to find the right balance between challenging myself without being too risky. I look forward to skiing a comp with perfect conditions that will make it possible to step it up a bit more. ;)

FWT: What do you most want to achieve by competing on the FWT11?

JH: I just want to get as many great days skiing as possible and to do it with similar people. That gives me inspiration and motivation!

FWT: Dream session?

JH:I still haven't been to Alaska yet and that is a dream for me. Heli-skiing in Alaska is something I have only heard about and I think it’s time to check that box soon. My Mom would have said you cannot do everything you want but this is something I think is necessary to do as a skier at my level. And especially because my life has been all about skiing since I was a kid! I know whom I want to do it with, but when? Still waiting!

FWT: What does skiing mean to you?

JH: I went to ski gymnasium when I was 15 years old and since then my life has been all about skiing. Skiing is what I love and it makes me a happy person. I am still happy every day I can ski and push myself the way I want to with nothing stopping me.

FWT: What’s important?

JH: To be happy and appreciate the people that are close to you. To take care of your body and stay healthy so that you will have a long life!

FWT: What’s the best way for your fans to follow you during the season?

JH: My website at www.janettehargin.com, Janette Hargin on Facebook, janettehargin on Twitter, and my blog at www.sweetprotection.com.