“With a snowboard, you can do anything”

In Eveliina’s words, her older brother Jussi had a significant influence on her choice of sport. About ten years ago, Jussi, who had also competed in boardercross at the Winter Olympics, took Eppu to the slopes, sparking her enthusiasm for snowboarding.

– There’s so much you can do in snowboarding. Almost my entire circle of friends consists of snowboarders. You can ride in the park, on slopes, in the mountains, on streets, or anything you like with a snowboard. There’s a lot of variety within the sport, and many skills to develop.

Currently, Eppu is most focused on park riding. The slope, featuring various jumps, rails, and shapes, serves as an arena for creative tricks. Slopestyle, composed of multiple jumps and rails, represents park riding the most among Olympic disciplines. In addition to Slopestyle, Eppu competes in Big Air, which involves a single large jump.

Eppu has been a part of the adult snowboarding national team for a few years. In the spring of 2021, she won her first international competitions, the European Cup Big Air in Absolut Park, Austria, and Götschen, Germany. In Slopestyle, Eppu secured junior world silver in 2019.

– Previously, there were second and third places, so winning was a pretty big deal, Eppu says.

In addition to significant results, Eppu also considers successfully landing a backside 720 trick as a milestone.

– After that, I noticed that things started to roll quite well in terms of snowboarding. I first got into the youth national team and then the adult national team a couple of years ago. That trick was a moment I remember being really excited about. It made it clear to me that these things are actually possible and added drive to move forward, Eppu recalls.

At the time of the interview, Eppu is preparing for the first World Cup competition of the season. The plan is to go there and show what she’s capable of. Outside of competitions, she intends to learn new tricks and further improve her snowboarding skills.

Creativity is an essential mental attribute

In freestyle snowboarding, successes depend not only on physics, body control, and technical skills but also significantly on the mental aspect. Eppu mentions feeling nervous in competition situations but being able to turn that tension into a positive source of energy. Another strength she emphasizes is completing tricks thoroughly, a quality usually appreciated by judges.

– If you grab (hold the board), you have to do it properly and complete every trick, Eppu explains her riding style.

Snowboarders train throughout the year. In the summer, Eppu focuses on developing strength and endurance. This involves time in the gym and on running trails. When the slopes open, specific training for the sport is incorporated. Eppu underscores the importance of mobility training for snowboarders as well.

Snowboarders also have access to a mental coach and sports psychologist.

– Snowboarders need a lot of courage to approach a big jump and perform a significant trick off it. On the other hand, perseverance is also required. Learning tricks is a long process. It takes perseverance to go through the steps from scratch to being able to perform a trick practically anywhere, anytime.

– The mental aspects were quite crucial in the European Cup victory, something we have practiced and developed in coaching. Understanding oneself better and feeling oneself as an athlete provides the opportunity to develop the skills that aid in competition performance or training, Eppu elaborates.

Creativity is also demanded in snowboarding. Eppu mentions that top riders find different approaches to the features found on slopestyle courses or execute tricks in a distinctive manner.

The snowboarder relaxes by snowboarding

Eppu draws inspiration from many snowboarders whose way of performing tricks elicits admiration. One name she highlights is Enni Rukajärvi, whose riding style and values, both within and beyond the sport, are commendable.

Nature holds a special place in Eppu’s heart. Free movement in clean air and snow is crucial. Her own family also plays a significant role.

When asked about a reliable person who has influenced her career, Eppu mentions Jussi Räsänen, who serves as a coach in the snowboarding national team.

– Jussi is involved in the training camps and travels with us to competitions. I’ve known Jussi for about six years now. In addition to helping me in snowboarding, Jussi has supported me in various life situations. He has been a pillar of support, pushing me forward and helping me realize things about myself that I might not have otherwise understood. It has been beneficial both in everyday life and on the snowboard.

When asked how she relaxes and disconnects from the sport, Eppu gives an answer that might sound paradoxical.

– It may sound strange, but you can relax from snowboarding by snowboarding. Perhaps it’s difficult for an outsider to understand, but riding in the park is where progress happens, where you do new tricks and refine the skills needed in competitions. If you go for freeriding, it offers a different kind of enjoyment. It’s the other side. Snowboarding is such a versatile sport that you can relax in one aspect while pushing yourself forward in another, Eppu explains.

– The support from sponsors enables me to go on competition trips or training camps. It allows me to do things at this level, but it’s one step closer to the possibility of being a professional snowboarder someday.