Best female MTB freeriders visit the Dome Adrenline Zone
It is precisely this movement that Sandler, Verbeeck, Corbera and Heap are part of. Grows, learns and paves the way for a larger, more inclusive – and exciting – scene. Part of that development obviously involves expanding their trick repertoire and what better way to do that than with a group of like-minded riders in a place like the Dome.
“I have a lot of tricks that I want to start learning and it’s perfect to do this in a safe environment and then take it home with me and continue working on them.Says Sandler, adding that being here for a whole week is a great way to give you a solid foundation, instead of rushing in and out.
The perfect place to learn
The Dome Adrenlien Zone jumps are quite special and the riders are impressed: “This place is sick. It’s the best place to learn tricks,” says Corbera.The ramp is super wide and safe and there are lots of different lips so we can learn tricks on different kinds of jumps”. The girls explain that it is rare to find lips that are high enough for the jumps they make and that they also have matching lips in the foam pit and the airbag.
“Usually you learn a trick to foam pit and then you have to jump a completely different jump into the airbag, which makes it much more difficult.”
The crew is here to learn a bunch of new tricks and get ready for the new season. It is both individual work and group sessions together with Söderström and Ferry, which provides tips and tricks to help them get started on their next dream trick. Söderström, who only lives two hours away in Falun, is excited about being part of the camp and is excited to see the entire freeride movement grow:
“It’s amazing – there’s so much talent and it’s amazing to see. I feel that the sport really needs this and it is almost strange that it has not happened before. It’s good for sports and athletes: I know how important it was for me to be surrounded by a crew when I was younger and cycling. It is important for development to have like-minded people around them ”.
It’s amazing – there’s so much talent and it’s amazing to see. I feel that the sport really needs this and it is almost strange that it has not happened before.
The four riders themselves are just as happy to have Söderström and Ferry on the tour. Having two trainers with different driving styles and backgrounds – Söderström comes from slopestyle and Ferry from freeride – is helpful for their progression and understanding of tricks:
“Söderström and Ferry approach tricks in a different way and it is actually very useful because then we get several ways into a trick, which really helps to see which one resonates better with you to make it work“, Says Verbeeck.
The mental side of learning a new trick is also very important and frustrating. It can be hard to turn a bad day around, but if anyone knows the process, this is the coaching duo. “They have both gone through the same process when they can not do a trick – ups and downs. They know how to put a bad session behind them and do everything again, ”Corbea explains.
On the day of the interview, the crew seems to have had a somewhat frustrating day at the office with tricks that did not really go their way. But that is when it is important to be surrounded by a fun crew.
“We have a very inclusive environment here and everyone supports each other. It is really inspiring to see the others learn something new for their own journey”, they say and add with a laugh that it is also a little nice to get support when it is not go as you please. “I think we go through the same kind of emotions when we get frustrated, maybe more in this group compared to a mixed one. And it’s helpful“, says Sandler.
For them, it’s like: “just do it, it’s easy”.
Verbeeck advertises: “it’s a more relatable environment I would say. I love to go with guys too but they do not always understand my process. When you have ridden at a high level for a long time it is easy to forget what it is like when you start learning For them it is like: “just do it, it’s easy”. So having a group where we are on a similar level is very good for motivation. “
The future of female freestyle skiing
The riders all come from different riding backgrounds and do different things in their riding career, so of course they all have different tricks they want to learn. From bar pins to front flips and 360s. It is impressive to see these athletes develop and push their limits, as well as to see how quickly the female side of the sport is developing.
When asked what it’s like to be a part of this fast-growing movement, the girls are happy to get the most out of it to continue to inspire future female fragmentation machines: “It’s really motivating. It’s like it’s our moment and we must take full advantage of it. To actually have the support to do what we do is sick ”. When asked what they can do to keep this spark going, they agree that in addition to continuing to push themselves and each other, it is important to promote learning together as opposed to on their own – the learning curve is so much faster and more fun to ride with friends.
Verbeeck is excited to see the ripple effect the movement has: “It’s sick to see all the young girls out there messing around and having fun. At home in Canada there is this group of young girls who ride and have fun together and it makes me so excited for it is exactly what the sport needs to continue to grow ”.