Interview with slopestyle rising star Johanna Nussbaumer: “Just listen to yourself”

Slopestyle cycling has long been a male-dominated sport. You can see just how progressive the sport is by looking at an event from ten years ago – and comparing it with today. Simple backflips and tailwhips no longer impress the judges enough to earn high scores.

Another new trend: more and more women are taking up sport, often at a very young age. One of them is Johanna Nussbaumer (17) from Bad Saulgau in Upper Swabia.

Interview: Rachel Pechholz

​Johanna, it’s lovely to see you again in Sölden. How are you finding it? This year, the Nines are part of the Bike Republik Sölden Festival – what have you made of it so far?

Yes, it’s brilliant to be back at Bike Republik Sölden. I love being in the mountains, and it’s great to be able to spend another week cycling here. We went to the Expo yesterday and to the party in the evening, which was great fun.

A year ago, you said that, above all, you wanted to have fun and gain experience. What has changed the most for you as an athlete since then?

I’ve learnt a great deal about myself. Especially in situations where you do end up stressing yourself out every now and then. I’ve certainly become much more self-aware – if there’s something I don’t want to do at the moment, that’s OK too.

There’s a lot more going on at the Nines course this year – so many spectators. Does that make any difference to you?

Of course, it feels different when you’re under a lot more scrutiny, but as soon as I set off, I hardly notice it anymore. To a certain extent, the spectators are really great too – that makes you even more keen to perhaps push yourself a bit further and try out some new tricks. The great atmosphere makes it easier to overcome your fears.

The Nines are a huge playground for you, which you can enjoy for five days without any competition – is there a difference between the Nines here and an event like Crankworx Rotorua?

Yes, it’s definitely a big difference. The atmosphere amongst the riders, in particular, is even more relaxed than usual. You don’t have to focus so much on yourself; instead, you ride together much more and push each other on.

You won Crankworx Rotorua this year – your first Diamond Event. How did it feel to win in such challenging conditions?

Yes, I’m really relieved. I’d actually had a massive amount of fun all week, and then to win as well – being able to cycle in New Zealand is something very special. The win was actually more of a bonus, because I’d simply enjoyed the whole trip so much and was able to carry that good mood over onto the bike. My run didn’t quite go the way I’d hoped, but I was still glad to have managed a good run.

Question: You scored 92.5 points and said, “It wasn’t the run you wanted to do.” What else did you want to add to that?

Well, of course you’ve got a few more tricks in mind that you practise at home. But it’s a different matter altogether to do it all in one go. All in all, it was fine as it was.

You’ve now become a role model for many young female riders yourself. How does it feel to suddenly be on the other side?

I don’t really notice it that much and I still feel the same as I did a year or two ago. But I think it’s cool to be able to motivate others – that really does feel great.

Women’s slopestyle is currently developing at a tremendous pace. Where do you see the discipline in five years’ time, and what contribution would you like to make to it yourself? (More and more spectators, even more spectacular tricks and, generally speaking, greater attention)

I think the difference in five years’ time will be quite different again – you can see for yourself that the women’s runs are getting better from contest to contest. I believe we’ll make real progress over the next few years, and I hope to be able to show that I, too, am continuing to develop.

Which trick or combination of tricks are you currently working on the hardest – and is there a trick that still really intimidates you?

I’m currently practising tail whip combos a lot – straight tail whips, to be precise. I try to do them regularly. And I’m also trying to make the 360 tail whip a bit safer. It does hurt a lot if you fall, but it’s definitely worth it and I’m going to keep at it.

When you look back on your biggest events to date, which moment was the most emotional or significant for you?

In Rotorua, I didn’t manage to complete the first run, which felt absolutely rubbish, but managing to complete the second run afterwards was a huge relief.

What was the craziest situation you’ve ever found yourself in whilst travelling to a competition?

To be honest, I’ve no idea – I really enjoy travelling, as it’s a great privilege; after all, not everyone can just fly off to New Zealand on a whim. That’s why I actually savour every moment, no matter what happens, and try to make the most of it all.

On social media, everything often looks like fun and success. What does a typical week of training really look like for you? Can you give us a glimpse ‘behind the scenes’?

As I’m still at school and have lunchtime lessons three times a week, I still try to train at least once a week. At the weekend, I go riding with my friends. I don’t always have a specific plan; I just see how the session goes and what’s possible that day.

How do you manage to juggle school/training, travelling and competitive sport?

It’s getting harder and harder, because, naturally, my motivation is gradually waning. When you go back to school after a competition, it feels a bit as if time has been turned back. I try my best to balance both.

And what about your classmates? Is it all normal, or do they notice when you come back from a trip like that?

I reckon more than half of them don’t actually care at all – but that doesn’t matter to me either. I’ve got my friends, and they think what I do is cool. I also like coming back to somewhere where everything’s a bit more normal after events like that. It helps me to wind down and refocus.

What advice would you give to a 12-year-old girl who’s taking a dirt jump or slopestyle course for the first time today?

“Trust yourself,” I always say when I’m doing something I’m afraid of. Just listen to yourself – you can usually rely on your own instincts.

The Red Bull District Ride is coming up soon – what are your plans for it?

I haven’t got anything specific in mind. I’ll turn up, do the training session and see how it goes.