Dirt jump super talent Patricia Druwen shows her tricks in Zurich
She flies through the air and performs tricks that make us dizzy just watching. She takes her hands off the steering wheel or turns it once or twice in the air. It is not for nothing that she is considered the greatest super talent in the dirt jump scene: 15-year-old Patricia Druwen.
The German from Bergisch Gladbach knows about the hype, but is not always aware of it: “You don’t even notice that you’re called that everywhere. But I’m really happy when I read something like that,” says the general student in an interview with Blick. It gives her an extra portion of motivation to work even more meticulously on her tricks.
From street bike to dirt bike
But how does a teenager get into slopestyle, as the sport is also called, at such a young age? It all started on the street: “I used to just ride my street bike around and try a few tricks with it.” Until her bike broke. She bought a real dirt bike at the end of 2019 and “practiced every day from then on”.
This is Patricia Druwen
Patricia Druwen was born on January 20, 2007 in Bergisch Gladbach. She does not spend her childhood on the bike, but mainly in the gym. Her mother Ludmila Prince was a successful Latvian gymnast and took part in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA). Her father was also a gymnast himself, but later worked exclusively as a coach. At the age of eleven, Patricia tried her first tricks, such as wheelies, on her road bike. A year later she got her first dirt bike and couldn’t let it go. In addition to her competitions, the 15-year-old also goes to comprehensive school in her hometown of Bergisch Gladbach.
Patricia Druwen was born on January 20, 2007 in Bergisch Gladbach. She does not spend her childhood on the bike, but mainly in the gym. Her mother Ludmila Prince was a successful Latvian gymnast and took part in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA). Her father was also a gymnast himself, but later worked exclusively as a coach. At the age of eleven, Patricia tried her first tricks, such as wheelies, on her road bike. A year later she got her first dirt bike and couldn’t let it go. In addition to her competitions, the 15-year-old also goes to comprehensive school in her hometown of Bergisch Gladbach.
The daughter of the former Olympic gymnast Ludmila Prince (47) had to take a few falls. Last winter, for example, a 15-year-old injured her foot – after a three-month break.
“I lost a lot of time as a result and now I have to make up for it.” They don’t find dirt jumping dangerous in itself, as long as you don’t overestimate yourself. But she knows: “Injuries are part of sport.”
That’s how dirt jumping works
Dirt jump, also called slopestyle, is done on a specially made bike, but can also be done on a BMX or mountain bike. A bike weighs around ten kilograms, there are no upper or lower limits. The athletes compete in so-called contests and complete various courses. The “Lines”, as the courses are called, have between three and eight jumps, depending on the competition. The vaulting tables are made of clay, and wooden ramps are also used.
The contests are divided into four categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Bronze is the lowest category, diamond the highest. The fewest points are awarded for winning a bronze competition, and the most for winning a diamond contest. In addition to the number of points you receive for your placement, the tricks are evaluated and rewarded with points.
There are various contests over a year, through which the athletes can collect points. There are no one-off events like a European or World Championship. Since 2022 there has been a separate contest for women for the first time, in Zurich four female dirt jumpers are at the start. Although there is prize money at the contests, including in Zurich, most professional dirt jumpers make a living from their sponsors, who enable them to travel to the competitions.
Dirt jump, also called slopestyle, is done on a specially made bike, but can also be done on a BMX or mountain bike. A bike weighs around ten kilograms, there are no upper or lower limits. The athletes compete in so-called contests and complete various courses. The “Lines”, as the courses are called, have between three and eight jumps, depending on the competition. The vaulting tables are made of clay, and wooden ramps are also used.
The contests are divided into four categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Bronze is the lowest category, diamond the highest. The fewest points are awarded for winning a bronze competition, and the most for winning a diamond contest. In addition to the number of points you receive for your placement, the tricks are evaluated and rewarded with points.
There are various contests over a year, through which the athletes can collect points. There are no one-off events like a European or World Championship. Since 2022 there has been a separate contest for women for the first time, in Zurich four female dirt jumpers are at the start. Although there is prize money at the contests, including in Zurich, most professional dirt jumpers make a living from their sponsors, who enable them to travel to the competitions.
“I want to go home safe”
Since this year there has been a separate competition series for women for the first time ever. “It’s the first big contest for women here in Zurich,” says Druwen. However, there are only four women at the start who will compete at the end of the cycling week on Sunday, and there are 46 men.
Your goal is of course victory. But not only: “But I also just want to do my tricks that I have planned and come back home healthy. And above all, have fun.”