Stefan Hausl: Everything and Nothing to Lose

We spoke to FWT’s men’s ski overall leader Stefan Hausl (AUT) to find out where his head is at going into the final event of the season.

FWT: How does it feel to be the overall leader going into the final event of the season, the Nissan Xtreme Verbier 2011 by Swatch?

Hausl: Of course, it feels very good to be in the lead. But to be realistic, I know there are five of us who can still win the whole thing. So for me, going into the last competition, I try to take the attitude that everything starts here, that we have zero points and anyone can take it. I only want to focus on the Verbier Xtreme right now and try to ski as well as possible.

FWT: How many times have you ridden the Bec des Rosses before?

Hausl: I’ve ridden it twice actually because on the first day of last year’s Xtreme we had to stop when bad weather came in. But I had bib #1 so I was able to ski the dogleg, looker’s left. On the second day I did looker’s right so I know both sides of the mountain now. In general, I like the mountain because it’s steep and difficult and that suits me.

 

FWT: What is the most challenging aspect of the Bec for you?

Hausl: I think the most difficult aspect is to manage the mountain. It takes a lot more than just skiing down; it’s managing the sluff, finding your way, staying calm and not getting scared about everything that’s happening around you. It’s not just skiing a powder field, it’s more about managing a project that started a few days ago – watching lines on the Internet, remembering all the rocks and cliffs – and ends by skiing the run.

FWT: What is the most exciting thing for you about skiing the Bec?

Hausl: Trying to push my own limits and ski as well as I can because the level is higher here. You really have to try to ski to the limit.

FWT: What is the thing you’re most scared about?

Hausl: To hit a shark where you don’t expect it, that’s perhaps the scariest thing. Especially with the fresh snow that came today, we might have some hidden surprises.

FWT: You mentioned watching videos of past years’ runs. Which runs are your favorites and why?

Hausl: One of the best runs ever was Xavier de Le Rue’s line from last year. Also Kaj Zackrisson, these guys inspire me. They have a similar way of riding: they ski and board fast and drop big cliffs and that’s what my own style is all about. It’s important to never lose your own style. I will keep my style of riding, that ‘s for sure.

FWT: How do you think the recent snow conditions will affect the face?

Hausl: I’ve got a photo of how the Bec des Rosses looked but it was before this latest snowfall. I was on the mountain today and there was about 20 cm of new snow. I think the snow will be good to ski on but the sluff management will be more of an issue and the landings will be better. Line planning is also a little bit different now, there are positive and negative things about the snow.

FWT: How will the current snow conditions affect your riding?

Hausl: I had a line in my mind, which I will not tell you, but I might change it to a different line, which I also will not tell you, ha ha ha! The snow affects the line choice, that’s for sure. It also depends on the bib number I draw tomorrow. There are different aspects that will always change your mind in the last minutes going into the competition. Nothing has been decided 100%. I will keep all options open until the competition starts.

FWT: Tell us how the bib number affects your line choice.

Hausl: Bib #1 means you’re starting all the sluff wherever you go, so sluff management is more difficult. If you start later, the landings will have bomb holes and that will affect your own landings and those are the main things that determine your line choice. Also if you have a later number you will need to do things the other guys didn’t do, maybe go to a different area.

 

FWT: Why do you compete on the Freeride World Tour?

Hausl: I like freeriding and also I like to compete so the best thing I can do as a freerider is to compete against the world’s best and I’m having fun doing it.

FWT: What does the Freeride World Champion title mean to you?

Hausl: It means a lot. For me, that’s the highest achievement you can reach as a freerider. When you are 50 years old, you will always be able to look back, and people will always remember that you were the Feeride World Champion. So that’s a big thing for me.

FWT: There are loads of French and Swedish skiers on the FWT, but not many Austrians. However, Austrians are leading in both men’s skiing and snowboarding right now. Why do you think there aren’t more Austrians on the FWT?

Hausl: Austria is a very race-oriented country and I think that there is more of a tradition of freeriding in France and in Sweden. They were steep skiing in Chamonix many years ago but in Austria we don’t have this tradition. I think we’re good skiers and we do well in competition. Because of events like Fieberbrunn, Austrian riders are getting much more attention in the media and now freeriding is beginning to grow. Now we’ve caught up with the others, reading the mountains and finding good lines. A few years ago there was a big gap between the countries but now we are neck and neck with them.

FWT: What has been the best thing about the 2011 FWT season for you?

Hausl: For me, of course, it was winning at home in Fieberbrunn and reaching my first podium in Sochi. My goals were to be in the top five at the end of the season and to reach two podiums, and now that I have those goals in my pocket everything else is a bonus.

 

 

FWT: What are the pros and cons of the six-event season?

Hausl: The good thing is that more contests mean that you have to ski consistently well and that’s a good thing. Not really anything bad. All good.

FWT: What do you have planned for the rest of the season?

Hausl: After this I’m going with Nordica on a road trip and after that I’m doing a film project with Mitch Toelderer, Bibi Pekarek and Björn Heregger. We’re going to do a film project like a next-level Hike2Ride either in Alaska or Norway at the end of the season. Then I stop skiing at the end of April and take a rest after a good season.

FWT: What is the one thing you most wish you could improve about your skiing?

Hausl: Doing more tricks off cliffs – ha ha ha!

FWT: What does skiing mean to you?

Hausl: That’s a question I’ve been asked a few times and every time it’s difficult. For me it’s on the same level as my family. Besides that skiing is what follows me all year round. It’s pretty much the center of my life.

FWT: Dream session?

Hausl: Two helis, Alaska, perfect conditions, no stress, no cameras – hahaha!

FWT: What’s important? 

Hausl: Stay healthy and enjoy life and be honest and fair to people.

FWT: Last words?

Hausl: We should have fun in our battle this weekend. Everybody wants to win but it’s just a game.