"COW DAY 2018" where many top domestic competitors gathered.The FREERUN editorial department picked up the riders who were particularly interested in the hot battle.This time, let's have Ryo Aizawa, who won the fierce high-speed spin battle, appear.
Photo: Kentarou Fuchimoto
First, we asked Keiji Okamoto, who was the organizer of COWDAY, to talk about the charm of Ryo Aizawa.
"Ryo is one of the riders who has been rapidly gaining strength lately. Until now, I think I was moss when I was the best here, and I didn't know how to charm myself. However, this season has the strength of the game, and I feel like I learned how to score and win in the tournament. In fact, not only in COWDAY's big air, but also in KING OF KINGS etc. I'm winning. I have the ability to compete in the world's top class, and I'm really looking forward to the future. "
Then, please have an interview with yourself!
FREERUN editorial department (F): How old have you been snowboarding?
Ryo Aizawa (A): It was in the third grade of elementary school.At that time, it was about several times a year, but from the following year, I started going to the slopes almost every week.
F: Where do you usually slip?
A: When I'm in my hometown, there are many Takasu and Washigatake in Gifu.Also, in the off-season, I also go to KINGS and Hashima.
F: Who do you often slip with?
A: I'm slipping with people everywhere I go.Recently (Okubo) I'm on good terms with Yuri.I think it's because we're fighting the tournament together.
F: How did you acquire the jumping skill?
A: It's a repetitive practice at KINGS.In addition to that, I think it was a big thing that Mr. Sho Hansai taught me.Mr. Hansai has been teaching me since I was in junior high school, but I was taught in Hakuba in winter and in KINGS in the off-season.
F: Tell me the most difficult jumping tricks you can do right now.
A: It's the backside 1620.It is what we are working on now to raise the degree of perfection.
F: COWDAY's big air had a high make-up rate, but is there any secret?
A: Since I was in the mountains when I was in high school, maybe my legs and trunk were naturally trained there, and I was able to build a body that was less tiring than other riders.There was a place in high school where I could do rock climbing, and I did that too. Now I belong to the ski club at university and I do snowboarding.Also, I'm very thin.Therefore, because the weight is light, the impact at landing may be small (laughs).However, there are some disadvantages ...It's harder to get speed with the approach than other riders (bitter smile)
F: In the qualifying for the main race, why did you decide to advance to the next stage by first deciding two runs, but why did you attack the third run as well?
A: I was planning to stay from the beginning to the final, so I wanted to take steps gradually.I have a chicken part (bitter smile), so it's better to adjust the gear little by little, or to chop it up, rather than increasing the number of revolutions at once.
F: What was the tactic in the style game stage and the semi-final?
A: When I was in style, I released the cork on the front side 360, but I think I was able to adjust the moss on the second one because it flew too much on the first one.I'm glad I was fascinated not only by the high rpm but also by the style.Anyway, I thought that the semi-final would fly bigger than the other rider.I used to think that the lack of air size was a weak point, so this year I was strongly conscious of not only the number of revolutions but also the size and style of the jump.
F: Can you look back on the final?
A: Actually ... I've been aiming for the backside 1620 all the time.However, the moment I got out of it, I felt that it was a little short, so I immediately corrected the trajectory, all three.Also, since it will probably be a battle of 3 or 1440, I thought that I would have a trick with other riders, and I was also aware that it would fly bigger than anyone else.I think the reason I can fly bigger than before is because I can get on the board more.This season, I slipped in a free run.As a result, I felt that everything had evolved at once.
F: Last year you were runner-up in Big Air, but were you aiming for this year?
A: My goal since the last tournament was to win the COWDAY Big Air this season.I think it's the highest level of the tournaments I'm participating in right now.Isn't it the only tournament in Japan where you can fight Yuki Kadono?That's why I had a strong feeling this year.In the final, I thought it would be okay if I wasn't at the top, so I attacked.I couldn't make the 1620 I was aiming for, but I was able to correct the trajectory in the air and control the spin, and I am very satisfied with the result.
F: Not only COWDAY, but recently you're in good shape at the tournament, right?
A: Only recently have you figured out how to win the tournament?Before, I was on a par with riders of the same generation ... I thought it was far from the point, but now I think I can finally fight at the same level.I think the level of jumping in Japan is high even from a global perspective, and I'm pretty confident that I was able to win this COWDAY.
F: What are you going to use the winning prize money for?
A: Is it the cost of the university (laughs)?
F: What are your future goals?
A: I want to win the big air of COWDAY next year and win the championship in a row.And I also want to win the jib.After that, my goal is to be a cool rider.Cool isn't just about being able to do difficult tricks, it's also cool just because you're slipping, including your style.I will do my best to aim for that.
Ryo Aizawa
Born July 1999, 7.Born in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture.Sponsors are YONEX, OAKLEY, CALLA FACTORY, BERN, MORIYAMA SPORTS, Osaka Kings
Next week, we will upload an interview article with COWDAY 2018 Jib Champion Yuri Okubo.
looking forward to!
COWDAY 2018 highlight videos and report articlesplease use this form.
