Tim Kevin Ravnjak.A young rider, only 17 years old, he won the XNUMXth place at the Sochi Olympics with his unique smooth style.He won the World Junior Championships Halfpipe after the Sochi Olympics, and his activities are not limited to pipes, but he has been proven to have the skills to compete on the world stage from big air to slopestyle.
And to my surprise, YONEX and Tim Kevin Ravnjak (TK) recently signed a gear contract.
At SBN, I've always wanted to know what's inside him and want to do an interview, but I finally got the chance.This time we have an interview with Tim Kevin Ravnjak.
Q: Then, please feel free to answer the question.What made you start snowboarding?
A: Yeah, I think I was about XNUMX years old, but my dad bought me a skateboard.... Is it XNUMX years ago?So in the winter, I took the track off the skateboard and started skating on the slopes.It's a snowboard made of wood.When I saw it, my dad thought, "I think I want to start snowboarding." He bought me a short snowboard about two and a half years later.I still remember. It's XNUMX centimeters!
Then, every winter, I started to go out with my family and snowboard.I've never worn skis since then.That's the reason why I started snowboarding.
Q: At that time, was it still a weekend play?
A: Yes, I got hooked as soon as I started snowboarding.After that, I always thought, "I want to go skiing! I want to go skiing!", But it wasn't easy.My parents were working and there wasn't a ski resort near my hometown.I had to wait until the weekend.
Q: TK is from Slovenia, right?I don't think there are many Japanese people who know Slovenia, so can you tell me what Slovenia is?
A: It's a really small country, but it has seas, rivers, lakes and even big mountains.But with a population of only XNUMX million, it is a small country between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.There are few parks.Looking at the whole country, I wonder if there are only two parks.And it's just a small jump.
Q: Is there more skiers?
A: Most people ski.That's why there are many ski resorts, but few are focusing on the park.They don't seem to have the potential for snowboarding.
Q: When did you start thinking about becoming a professional?
A: When I was eight, I went to the first Border Cross Kids Tour tournament.Many kids from all over the country participated and I was really happy when I won the championship there.
Then, at the age of nine, I went on the Burton Amateur Tour for the first time at an international tournament, and I think I was able to skate quite well at that time as well.
But even though it was a slopestyle tournament, only nine snowboarders participated. The names were called XNUMXth and XNUMXth, but until the XNUMXnd player was called, my name wasn't called easily, and I was like, "What? My name? Did I forget it?" I thought.
So I was very happy when I was called Tim Kevin for the victory!Before that, there was no sponsor anywhere, but then the manufacturer got to know me and got gear support and it was easier to go on a trip.
At first I didn't think of becoming a professional, but the more I went to the tournament, the better I was, and that motivated me to grow.
Q: Your parents would be happy, right?
A: Yeah, it looks happy!
Q: What kind of work do your parents do?
A: Both my dad and my mom work for one of the largest companies in Slovenia that sells refrigerator and kitchen parts.Mom is in the design department, and dad is in the buying department.
Q: When did you start aiming for the Olympics?
A: I think I decided to aim for it when I was XNUMX years old.I never thought about the Olympics before, and I thought that the athlete I was aiming for was in a completely different world.
But as I was improving my tricks, I knew that I was in a realistic place, so I focused on it while trying not to put too much pressure on myself, saying, "If it doesn't work, I should connect again." I decided to try it.But actually, the year before the Olympics, I broke my wrists, transplanted my hip bones to my wrists, and had two surgeries to insert a screw.
Then, in the summer, I did my best and concentrated on getting good results while recovering my physical condition, and after returning to New Zealand, I was XNUMXth in the tournament, and I was able to regain my confidence.
Q: How was it when you knew you could go to the Olympics?
A: That was the best moment!
In order to qualify, you must first be in the Top XNUMX in international competitions, and you must be in the top of Mochiron in Japan.
You have to be in the Top XNUMX twice to be selected as an Olympic candidate.But I was convinced that I could go to the Olympics with a prize in New Zealand and Luka in Finland three months later.I was really happy when it was decided.My friends were happy too.
After that, in order to strengthen my riding, I participated only in the Burton European Open in January without participating in the World Cup, and I got a good result at the Sochi Olympics.
Q: How was it when you fought against the top snowboarders?
A: Nobody expected me, and I thought it would be okay if I could reach the semi-finals, so I challenged without feeling any pressure.I landed the tricks firmly, and I thought I'd make it big and fascinating, so I said at a press conference of the Slovenian team, "Dream goal is to remain in the final."Immediately after that, I thought that if I had to stay in the final, I would be booed, so I realized, "Dangerous! I didn't say this out loud!"
But actually that day was relaxing and nice.I made a slight mistake in the first run at the Olympics, but I was in XNUMXth place.
I had to be in the top eight in the next run to stay in the semi-finals, so I decided to do it!
The halfpipe was getting softer and the shape was the worst.But the conditions were the same for everyone, and even other famous players screamed, so I thought about using it in reverse.So I focused on style and it led to success and I was able to stay in the final.
Q: How was the Japanese player?
A: I knew Ayumu and Taku, and I knew they were crazy, but I expected Ryo Aono to be on the podium.Ryo Aono was disappointed, but all the famous players were defeated in the qualifying.I'm sure it was tough, but I got a good inspiration from them.
Q: What is the best halfpipe routine?
A: Actually, there is no special routine.I wake up every morning to feel the condition of my body, do it if I want to do style-oriented tricks, and try new things if my body and mind are in good shape.Sometimes I challenge XNUMX to XNUMX like training.So I don't have a special routine, but I always feel and decide what kind of condition I am in.
Q: What trick are you practicing now?
A: Front side double cork XNUMX.I want to try this trick in a contest this year.Of course, there are other tricks that I haven't tried in the actual slip.
Q: Do you have any next goals or goals?
A: I would like to participate in three World Cups this year, as well as the DEW TOUR and TTR contests.Last year I was the most focused on the World Cup and couldn't play.Also, last year there were only competitions, so I'd like to shoot a little.
Q: Do you have any tips for enjoying snowboarding?
A: It's always a different grab, a spin, a more toe week, always trying new things and always being creative.With an open mind, you can enjoy powder turns and jumps are okay.It's great to have fun with your friends.The reason I personally like snowboarding is that it makes me creative.
Q: How can I improve my snowboarding skills?
A: In the last two years, the level around you has risen tremendously. Five years ago, everyone was just having fun, so it felt like they were slipping, but lately they've been training hard and doing strength training to avoid injury even in the summer.
As an athlete, it is important to train in the summer and prepare for the winter.I also try to do road bike and gym training, my tie, and boxing as physical training for XNUMX months in a year.
Q: Are you planning to come back to Japan this season?
A: Of course!Maybe an event in March?I also want to come back to Japan for practice.I went to Obuse Quest when I heard that I was in good shape in practice in Japan both last time and this time.It's a nice place and I enjoyed staying in Obuse, going to temples and sightseeing.
Q: Why did you choose YONEX?
A: Actually, I've been a good friend of Ryo Aono for the last five or six years.He's my ideal rider, and when I saw him using a YONEX board, I thought, "He's using it, so it's a good board!"
I've always wanted to try it for a couple of years.But it was difficult to contact Japan and it didn't work so I contacted Yonex's German branch.After a while, I was finally able to test it.
Q: What was your impression when you tried YONEX?
A; First of all, just putting my foot on the board made me feel great.
And what surprised me when I tested it was that when I slipped on a hard, frozen halfpipe, I couldn't bite at all with my old board, but the YONEX board was able to bite firmly into the line I wanted to go. That's it!
I quickly realized that YONEX boards could be carved with a hard burn, so I told my coach, "This guy is the best!"
Q: Which board of YONEX did you choose? Rev? Style?
A: Personally, Rev is in the best condition!It fits any terrain and I'm very happy with this flex and repulsion!
Q: You participated in the YONEX team video, how was your session with the YONEX team?
A: It was my first team trip, but it was a very fun week for all the riders to get together.I know Clart, Ryo, and Antoine very well.I knew Lee Kanki well because he was with me at the World Cup.
I've been skating for XNUMX days and the atmosphere during my stay was good, and I realized that it was a very good team and company.It was fun to run the pipe in the morning and try some small items and jumps if the weather was bad, and on the final day we had a little fresh snow and had a session with everyone!
Q: Do you have a message for Japanese snowboarders?
A: Japanese snowboarders are a good example for me.I like the style and I'm still very much influenced by it.My dad always told me to "follow them Japanese".The Japanese are training hard and know how to enjoy it.It's the best! You Guys Rock!
Click here for the 2014-2015 YONEX Digital Catalog
Transtaion by Kenji Kato
Interview by
