Flurina Baetschi and Tim Mastnak

• What originally got you into snowboarding and how has your passion developed over the years?

I learnt to snowboard with my parents as a child, albeit on a softboard. Later on, my father got involved in snowboard groups at the Rinderhorn ski club's JO, which meant I spent more time on the snowboard. However, I was originally a figure skater and only snowboarded on the side when I had time. My younger sister then started snowboarding in the alpine area, and at some point I tried that too. After I suffered a back injury in figure skating and had to stop, I switched to alpine snowboarding as it worked well with my back. I've always enjoyed snowboarding and so I decided to switch from figure skating to snowboarding at sports high school. So snowboarding became a real passion for me with ambitious goals.

• What does a typical training day in preparation for the Snowboard World Cup look like?

On a typical training day, we do morning exercise right after getting up, i.e. some movement and mobilisation. Then I have breakfast and get ready for the snow. Once I arrive at the ski resort, I put on my snowboard equipment and slip into my snowboard boots. Then it's time for pole training: First I inspect the run, familiarise myself a little and warm up at the start. Then we practise runs on the course. After training we have lunch, and I often take a short nap afterwards to recharge my batteries. A second training session follows in the afternoon, usually Pilates at the moment, sometimes something for the upper body, core or stretching as well as video analyses with the trainer. If I still have time afterwards, I do a bit of work for my studies. After dinner, I occasionally play a game with the team before going to bed early to be fit for the next training session.

• How are you preparing mentally for the race in Scuol? Are you already excited?

To be honest, my focus is still more on the races before Scuol - we're going to China, Italy and Davos before then. After Christmas, however, Scuol will definitely take centre stage. I'm really looking forward to it, because home races in Switzerland are always something very special. To prepare myself mentally, I will visualise the runs for Scuol. I'll certainly be excited before the race, but above all I'm really looking forward to it and will start with a lot of motivation.

• Your strong performances in the European Cup last season earned you a starting place in the World Cup. How big is the step from the European Cup to the World Cup?

For me, the step from the European Cup to the World Cup is a significant one. Last season I was able to achieve several podium places in the European Cup, including a victory. Now in the World Cup, the main thing will be to show good qualifying runs and get into the finals as often as possible. My goals for the future are podium places in the World Cup, but for the first few races it's all about doing my best and getting as far as possible.

• You've been training fully as part of the World Cup team since this season. What does it mean that you have a world-class athlete (2x world champion, 2x overall World Cup winner) as a training partner in Julie Zogg, for example?

The World Cup team has welcomed me very well and it's great to be able to train with them. Training with the fast athletes of the World Cup team motivates me a lot and spurs me on to give my best. The athletes in the national team - Julie Zogg, Ladina Jenni and Jessica Kaiser - are great role models for me. They have already achieved a lot of things that I would also like to achieve, which is why it is particularly motivating for me to be able to train with them.

• Hopefully many of your friends and family will be there in Scuol. Does that put you under extra pressure or does it give you wings?

When I know that family and friends are there, I naturally want them to see good runs from me. That might put a bit of pressure on me, but I think it's a positive pressure that brings out the best in me. Mostly I'm just really happy when I know that family and friends are there to see me and cheer me on. Of course, if I do well, it's even better that they're there to cheer me on.

• What originally got you into snowboarding and how has your passion developed over the years?

I was drawn to snowboarding from a young age. Initially, I was an alpine skier, but I switched to snowboarding after ski training. Snowboarding attracted me because of the sense of freedom, the feeling of carving on the edge, and the head-to-head races. Over the years, this passion has only grown. Competitions and successes have motivated me to always seek new challenges and to improve my technique.

• What has been your proudest moment in your snowboarding career so far?

The proudest moment in my career is undoubtedly winning the silver medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. It was something I had dreamed of since childhood, when I first started in sports. Standing on the podium on the biggest sports stage was an incredible feeling.

• What is your recipe for success in Scuol? What skills do you need to be successful in Scuol?

The course in Scuol isn’t the most difficult, but it requires focus and adapting to various conditions. Due to its undulating terrain, you need to be precise and use the transitions for acceleration. Excellent carving skills are essential, which suits me well. So, my recipe is to enjoy carving and accelerate from turn to turn.

• What does a typical training day in preparation for the Snowboard World Cup look like?

My training is quite varied. I spend a lot of time on the snow to adapt my technique to different terrains, improve my runs, and select the right equipment. When I’m not on the snow, I spend a lot of time in the gym and on the athletics track. I focus on explosiveness, strength, and endurance, as these elements are key for snowboarding. I also focus on mental preparation, so I can keep calm in crucial moments.

• How do you develop your technique to keep up with the constantly changing conditions and the competition in the World Cup

​​​​​​​I constantly strive to adapt and improve. Conditions at competitions vary, so it’s important to react quickly and adjust your technique. I learn a lot from past races and always look for new ways to get better. I experiment a lot with my equipment as well, using different boards for different venues throughout the season. Competing at this level requires constant progress, as the competition is always strong.

• What significance does the Snowboard World Cup in Scuol have for you?

​​​​​​​The World Cup in Scuol means a lot to me. It’s my most successful venue in the World Cup. It’s where I achieved my first victory, won my first small crystal globe, and won the qualifications four years in a row, never finishing worse than 9th. Every year I look forward to this competition, especially because of the excellent organization. The crowds are always great, the course is perfectly prepared, and I also love the mountains. Every year before the race, I take time to explore the whole resort and enjoy the “carver-paradise.”

• Will we be seeing you in Scuol again next year?​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Absolutely, as long as everything goes according to plan and I stay healthy! The Scuol competition is one of the highlights of the winter for me, and I always look forward to it. I hope to compete at the highest level again and fight for top results. I have no doubt that the organizers and spectators will once again create an amazing snowboarding spectacle.