Я настолько расстроен, что даже переводить не стал… Самый яркий лыжник, после выигранного в прошлом году Вербье, решил закончить свои выступления в мировом фрирайд туре…
Kaj Zackrisson Announces Retirement from Freeride World Tour
After finishing second overall on the 2010 Freeride World that was cemented with his win at the Nissan Xtreme by Swatch, Kaj Zackrisson has announced his retirement from the tour.
FWT: You were on top of your game last year with a huge win in Verbier and a second place overall finish in the 2010 Nissan FWT. How can you leave us like this?
Kaj: (laughs). I love to ski and I’ve been competing for the last 32 years and I’ve been competing on the Freeride World Tour since the beginning. So next year I really want to freeride and film for a change. I put a lot of pressure on myself when I compete and last year my goal was to win Verbier—it’s been one of my dreams—so after winning Verbier it seems like a good time to do some of the other things I’ve also dreamed about.
FWT: When a top rider retires there’s a system in place to replace him. Who do you think should fill your vacancy?
Kaj: Torgrim Vole should take my place. He won the Freeride Qualifier Series event in Scandinavia and competed in a few FWT events and I think he has the skills to reach the top.
FWT: Who else do you expect to see do well next year?
Kaj: Henrik Winstedt has a really good chance to win again. He wasn’t satisfied with his finish last year and will push harder and give 100% next year. He’s got good skills and is very experienced in a lot of ways, which should be the perfect combination. And, of course, I hope to see Seb Michaud on top again. And my friend Sverre Liliequist who has been injured but he’s coming back.
FWT: What’s the next step for you?
Kaj: Sverre and I are organizing a Rider’s Cup, similar to the Ryder’s Cup in golf, where Team America competes against Team Europe. Riders will compete one-on-one with a point going to each winner. The contest will be in September 2011 in Chile and will be organized by Nicolas [Hale-Woods] and the crew from the Freeride World Tour so it’s going to be good.
I’m also filming for Sverre’s and my new movie Très Bonne Equipe which will be out in Fall 2011. It’s about what skiing means for us and what we’ve done throughout our careers. Check out
Tr?s Bonne ?quipe to find out more.
And I’m working hard along with Sverre on Kask -
Kask : Welcome. The company is growing and it takes more time but it’s still cool. It’s still about skiing so it’s still a passion.