Beijing Olympic Gold Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis On A Possible Book, Movie, About Her Life

In Half 1 of this interview collection with Snowboard Cross legend Lindsey Jacobellis, we lined her Gold Medal run within the Particular person occasion on the Beijing Olympics. Right here, we focus on her second Beijing Gold, within the Combined with teammate Nick Baumgartner. At 40 years of age, this was seemingly Baumgartner’s final shot at standing atop the rostrum. The stress was on Jacobellis to convey it house for him. Jacobellis additionally reveals curiosity in a possible ebook about her life – perhaps even a film. Following are edited excerpts from an extended cellphone dialog.

Jim Conflict: You had already received Gold earlier within the Particular person Snowboard Cross at Beijing, bought that Olympic monkey off of your again. However then you definitely had one other closing, the Combined, with U.S. teammate Nick Baumgartner. Your ideas earlier than that run?

Lindsey Jacobellis: Going into that day, I felt no stress, as a result of I used to be like, “I already received [the Individual], that is simply going to be a enjoyable occasion.” Then, rapidly I believed, “Oh wait. Nick goes to desire a good probability at a medal, too.” I wanted to utterly change my pondering and return to how I usually function, how I break down heats, how I give attention to the duty at hand. I needed to do away with the “that is only for enjoyable” perspective.

Conflict: Effectively, surprisingly Nick did win his closing, so the stress fell to you to get the second half of it executed.

Jacobellis: Nick gave me a two-tenths-of-a-second head begin. It was good to not should make up an enormous deficit. The course had utterly modified, although. It had snowed and was very windy, so we couldn’t run it the best way we had in heats two days prior. I didn’t get the hole-shot firstly like I did in my Particular person. I used to be in third place, and needed to search out the pack. I had this different vitality take over as a result of I used to be extra used to that kind of state of affairs. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t get as many hole-shots because the youthful ones do.

Conflict: Effectively, certainly you made the passes and received Gold. What have been the primary phrases Nick stated to you?

Jacobellis: When Nick got here and hugged me, he was saying a lot so quick, hugging me in a choke-hold. I believe the very first thing I stated was, “Let me go. You’re choking me [laughs].” I believe I posted a kind of photos on Instagram. It was a fairly thrilling second. He had been down there recovering from his personal run and cheering me on. While you first cross the end line, it’s so arduous to breathe. You could have your mouth-guard in, and it’s very dry and chilly. I simply wanted somewhat little bit of area. However I used to be so joyful that I might convey it house for him. Profitable the Particular person did assist me achieve momentum for that second one, helped me consider in myself once more that I’m the most effective all-around rider, whether or not I’m profitable the begins or combating by means of the pack, or studying people. We don’t at all times get programs on tour the place you utilize your entire expertise, as a result of they aren’t usually as lengthy. This one had that X-games really feel, the model in fact I grew up on. People who find themselves older, like Nick and me, have a bonus over youthful riders who don’t have that have.

Conflict: What alternatives are you pursuing now that you’ve got received two Olympic Golds?

Jacobellis: Profitable has helped, however it hasn’t introduced the Wheaties Marketing campaign [laughs]. We reached out, and so they handed. I don’t know what different sponsors are pondering. “Is she going for an additional Olympics? We don’t know. She’ll be older, can we put money into that?” One factor good is that I used to be approached by a ebook agent who actually desires me to put in writing an autobiography. I believe it might be enjoyable. I’ve additionally been approached to do some tv exhibits. So we’ll see what comes about over the following six months or so.

Conflict: I used to be pondering perhaps a film, too, due to your perseverance by means of 5 straight Olympics.

Jacobellis: That might be great. However I haven’t been doing the game to chase down cash. I simply adore it. After I was youthful, it was simpler to accumulate the larger sponsors, with greater paychecks. Me saving and investing my cash has helped maintain me over time. It’s great that Paul Mitchell has been with me your entire time. JP [DeJoria] launched himself after I was racing at simply 12 years of age. BRN Helmets has been a long-time sponsor, as properly.

Conflict: In the event that they did do a film, who would you need to play you?

Jacobellis: I’m actually unhealthy with names [laughs]. With snowboarding, it’s arduous. Do you decide somebody who’s 36, my age, or do you want a few totally different actresses since you’ll be exhibiting a timeline. However I’d be honored to have actually cool casting with some bad-ass ladies.