“I HAD TO DO IT”

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“I had to do it.”

Snowboarder Chloe Kim is the first athlete under 16 to win two X Games golds and the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s in a contest. In advance of X Games Oslo (Feb. 24-28), she gives us her spin on her history-making moments.

INTERVIEW BY ALYSSA ROENIGK

How different was it coming into X Games Aspen in January as the defending gold medalist? It was funny because all I saw on Instagram and Twitter was, “If Chloe wins gold, she will be the youngest to get two gold medals before turning 16.” I thought it was fun, but I don’t go into a contest thinking I will defend my gold medal. I go with a run in mind that I want to land. It’s a fun story for everyone else, but it’s not something I’m concerned with. It’s more for the public.

You were 13 at your first X Games in 2014. You’re 15 now, and people were using the words “mature” and “veteran” to describe you in Aspen. You don’t even have a driver’s license yet. What is that like? I appreciate it, but I still have a lot to learn. I’m not a veteran. Kelly [Clark] has everything figured out. I don’t know when I am going to be like that. Hopefully soon. When people call me a veteran, it makes me sound old. But I saw a bowl of candy the other day—and I couldn’t resist.

Last year at X Games, you had a bad fall in practice, got up and won the event. This year the conditions were snowy, yet you seemed unfazed. Where does that strong-mindedness come from? I was touched when it was storming this year and people showed up to cheer us on. I thought, “I am going to put on a good show today.” It’s important to be able to ride in any condition. Except for wind; I cannot ride in wind. But if it snowed a foot or two, that is when control comes into play. Thankfully, I have been able to deal with the snow. It shows how much hard work pays off, by going back and working on the basics.

At the U.S. Grand Prix in Park City, Utah, just one week after Aspen, you became the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s in competition. When did you decide you wanted to attempt that run? That day. My 720s were easy and smooth and big, so I thought, “Let’s just send one.” It was crazy because I didn’t try a Cab 10 [1080] in that pipe at all before finals. But it was bluebird and super sunny: I had to do it.

Kim’s 95 was the top single-run score, men or women, in Aspen.

was so funny. It will show people women’s snowboarding isn’t a joke. I knew if I could get back-to-back 10s, it would be a huge step for women’s snowboarding.

Who were the riders you admired growing up? Kelly Clark and Torah Bright and Hannah Teter, because I watched the Olympics when I was younger and they stood out so much because they were going bigger and had so much style.

What does it mean to you to be the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s? When I learned my first 10, my friend was like, “You’re finally doing man tricks.” I thought that

TO READ THE EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH KIM, GO TO ESPNW.COM What is it like to hear those women say you are the rider to beat? I don’t like the word “beat.” It does feel all right, I guess. But at the end of the day, I am just happy to put down a run. Going into every contest, I don’t think about beating this person or that person. It would create unnecessary anxiety. If I think I stomped a solid run, then I’m stoked with myself no matter what.