Whatever they may be, Sean Pettit has all the elements needed to be the best extreme freeskier in the world. He’s a two-time Red Bull Cold Rush champion, and evidently that’s a good thing — otherwise he would be a dolphin.
Our interview was short and sweet, probably because he’s too busy winning championships. But here’s what he had to say.
Josh: At first glance, Red Bull Cold Rush looks absolutely insane. What kind of safety precautions are there and just how dangerous is this?
SP: Well, to easily answer that, Cold Rush is insane. Not just by how it looks but what we as athletes have to do in order to take on the Cold Rush title. There is always the danger of avalanche when dealing with backcountry conditions, which we will have to be knowledgable about going into the event. But most importantly, it’s all about staying on your feet, cause if you go down, it can be ugly.
Josh: I read when Red Bull signed you at age 13 you were their youngest athlete ever. How did that happen? Were you born and bred on the slopes?
SP: I was 13. I had no idea what was happening. Or how it happened. I guess I was good at skiing when I was 13. You can say I was born in a snowbank.
Josh: Seems to me you have to be fearless for this job. Is there anything that actually scares you?
SP: Overcoming fear can be the hardest part, but I believe that I have had the skill to overcome that fear in order to feel comfortable on skis. I’ve been living quite comfortably.
Josh: What does it take to be a great skier, specifically?
SP: Confidence.
Related: Red Bull Frozen Rush: The Next Revolution of Off Road?
Josh: What does a typical calendar year look like for you?
SP: Follow the snow. Yes, I know, rough life.
Josh: You’ve won Cold Rush twice. How did you do it? What separated you from the pack?
SP: I’ll let the judges take care of that part. I just ski down the hill.
Josh: I’ve never been to Canada. What would I find to be the most obscure thing about the ‘great white north?’ Anything about the United States that flips you out?
SP: Well, we all actually live in igloos and wish we had Mexican food like you do in the US.
Josh: If Sean Pettit weren’t a skier, he would be __(fill in the blank)___?
SP: A Dolphin.
Due to weather conditions, Red Bull Cold Rush has been postponed until March 23-26, 2015.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
