Worlds profiles: A few words with Emily Brydon

Canadian Emily Brydon loves skiing but can’t wait to get on her mountain bike in the summer time. The 28-year-old veteran who has seven World Cup podiums, including a super G victory last year in St. Moritz, loves the energy of Val d’Isere, especially when she has unexpected encounters with fellow Canadians. Brydon stopped to answer a few questions between downhill training runs at the 2009 world championships.

Val d’Isere, France – Canadian Emily Brydon loves skiing but can’t wait to get on her mountain bike in the summer time. The 28-year-old veteran who has seven World Cup podiums, including a super G victory last year in St. Moritz, loves the energy of Val d’Isere, especially when she has unexpected encounters with fellow Canadians. Brydon stopped to answer a few questions between downhill training runs at the 2009 world championships.

Why is Val d’Isere meaningful to you?

I’ve always really liked it here. I’ve podiumed on the other track (at the World Cup super G in 2005) and have fond memories. It’s a fun resort. It’s got good energy and a good feel and is pretty spectacular. I didn’t realize how how large of a ski area it is. It’s never-ending. People love ski racing here, so it’s always an honor to race for people who appreciate it. There are random Canadians that pop out – people that were at Lake Louise who have come here to work on the course. I think that’s the coolest thing … running into your fellow countrymen.

What’s the best thing to do after finishing a race?

It’s your decompression time, whether just chilling in your room or going to coffee. If the day’s gone well, I like to treat myself to some kind of little treat – a croissant or whatever the country’s specialty. We try to do team dinners and maybe have a glass of wine or a cocktail. There’s so much emotion and energy in racing that at the end of the day, you just need to decompress and chill out.

Is there anything special you tell yourself in the start gate?

It’s always changing depending on where you’re at mentally. Some races you have to pump yourself up more; others, it’s more of a confidence thing. I pretty much just tell myself that I’m here, I’ve done the work, it’s time to just let it go and race. All I can control is myself and not what anyone else does. I like to go to the start with a clear head. It’s like talk, talk talk, then right before I go, I just shut that door and go with a clear mind. You have to trust your abilities that you can do exactly what you need to do. That’s why we train. You have that muscle memory. You have the abilities. You have to rely on your instinct. There are courses [like in Val d’Isere] where you have to use your head more, but in general, it’s kind of  about releasing that and going into your extra gear. That extra gear doesn’t have room for what goes on in your head.

What other activities do you love besides ski racing?

I love mountain biking. I love cross-country riding and I think it’s the closest thing to ski racing out there. You have a line; it’s about looking ahead and adapting. You have the speed and balance. It’s so rewarding. You climb so hard and then get the sweetest downhills.