It is predictable considering this is the first Olympic inclusion of slopestyle, but the Canadian snowboarding team is both very young and highly inexperienced. So while this could be the best team the country has ever sent on paper, there will be a sizable Olympic learning curve. Considering the especially intimidating atmosphere present in Sochi this curve becomes exponentially steeper. Canada will need immense mental fortitude to be able to succeed under such intense circumstances.
What they will also benefit from is leadership, the experience and savvy of some of the veteran members of the team now becomes paramount to success. One of the boarders who possesses that level of experience is Mercedes Nicoll of North Vancouver, BC, a two time Olympian in half pipe. She is also coming off a statement Olympic performance after finishing sixth in Vancouver, the second best half pipe performance ever by a Canadian. So while many of her teammates are in for a surprise, Nicoll echoes a different narrative.
“I know what to expect,” she tells Last Word On Sports, “I’m [also] thankful that I’ve had a European Olympic experience because nothing will compare to the experience competing at home for the Vancouver games.”
So while most of the athletes around her will be feeling the pressure that is always associated with massive global events Nicoll will be relaxed. The stressful part for her, qualifying, is now completed and the Olympics for her mean it’s time to “have fun again”.
But the high placement at the last Olympics mean the fun will mingle with expectations. However, as with everything else Nicoll’s experience shines through with how she plans to deal with the competition:
“I want to be riding my personal best so I don’t come away from the games with any regrets,” she explains. “Being in the finals again would be great as well, but concentrating on one run at a time will be my focus.”
In other words, it is not worth it for her to think about another high placement until it is right in front of her. She also insists that any pressure being placed on her is self-created, which comes with the territory of being a competitor.
As for how the Canadian snowboarding team can achieve the success that the nation expects of them in Sochi, Nicholl says it just comes down to “doing what we doing best”. Despite the individuality of the sport her leadership could be key to assuring her teammates carry out that goal.
“We know what we’re doing,” she tells Last Word On Sports. “Now we’re doing it with the world watching.”
Nicoll will begin competing in halfpipe on February 12th.
