A Stronger, Faster Jess McMillan

Jess McMillan had a big summer. She started off in South America filming with the Warren Miller crew, took a little side trip over to the El Colorado Freeskiing Championships where she struck gold, and scored a new sponsorship with Spyder. Not a bad few months in the life of a competitive freeskier.

FWT: Hey Jess, congrats on the new sponsorship with Spyder. Nice one! Does that mean you'll be showing up in a lycra race suit at comps this year?
Jess: Haha! No lycra for me. I am really excited about my new Spyder line, Matrix, which I helped design. It is Spyder’s big mountain/freeride line. The line is really sleek and sexy with all of the technical aspects you would want for skiing. It will not be available until 2011/2012, but I will be wearing/testing it this winter. It is awesome!

 

FWT: So how are you preparing, physically and mentally, for the upcoming season? Doing anything differently than before?
Jess: I have been training really hard this fall. I am working with a new trainer Rob Shaul. His workouts are so hard. I feel stronger and faster than ever this year.

 

FWT: What do you feel will be your strengths and weaknesses this year?
Jess: I am one of the most experienced women on the tour. I have been competing for over six years. Every year I have progressed. Last year, I stepped up my airs and difficulty in line choice. This year I plan do the same. My biggest weakness is fear. I love competition, but do not think it is worth injury. I typically do not choose lines with huge consequences. I am 100% confident in all of my competition lines.

 

FWT: Who will be your biggest competition and what are their strengths and weaknesses?
Jess: My biggest competition on the tour is Ane Enderud, Jacqui Paaso, and Janina Kuzma. They all rip. Jacqui is not afraid to drop a 20-meter cliff on any given day. Ane has won the tour two years in a row. Janina is one of the most aggressive female skiers I have ever skied with. She’s definitely a threat.

FWT: Which event are you most looking forward to and why?
Jess: Verbier. Nothing compares to competing on the Bec. It is the epitome of extreme skiing.

 

FWT: Do you think that women's freeskiing deserves its own tour similar to pro tours in surfing, golf, tennis and other sports? What do you think would be the pros and cons?
Jess: Yes. I think it would be fantastic for women to have a pro tour. Do I think it is necessary? No. A women’s tour would open the door to many more athletes, but I’m not sure the industry is in a position to support another tour.

 

FWT: Is it possible that there could be potential sponsors for a women's only tour that could actually provide more benefits than have been available to women on the FWT? 
Jess: It is possible but the current sponsors of the tour are not male or female specific.

 

FWT: Describe your dream session: who, what, where?
Jess: Bluebird, stable, powder day in AK with friends and no boundaries.

 

FWT: Life is better when you ski. What does that mean to you?

Jess: Life makes sense when I’m skiing. When I’m riding, I’m not worrying about day-to-day life. I can enjoy the natural environment. Everything seems simple.

 

FWT: What’s important?
Jess: Health, friends, family, laughter, challenge, dreams, the environment

 

FWT: What’s not?
Jess: How “cool” you are.

 

To know more about Jess check out her website: jessmcmillan.com