Q&A: Ben Kilner

The Snowboarder set to stun in the winter Olympics

You’ve had an amazing 2009: what’s do you think was your biggest achievement and why?

The biggest achievement was meeting all the qualification criteria to make me eligible for selection for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Qualification this time was tougher than previous years and I am happy that I could fulfill the goal that I set myself.

Can you describe the feeling of representing your country?

It is an amazing feeling to represent your country in sport and the Olympics is the pinnacle for any athlete.

What are your current competitors like for the Olympics?

I am currently training in America and the level of riding is insane! The competition at the Olympic Games will be exceptionally high but this only makes me strive to be the best that I can be.

What are you most looking forward to seeing at the Winter Games?

The opening ceremony - if its anything like the previous Olympic Games, it will be awesome.

Tell us about your heroes, and why you got into snowboarding.

My sporting heroes are Sir Chris Hoy and US snowboarder Travis Rice – I also think Tiger Woods is an amazing golfer. Living in the Scottish Highlands I was exposed to the joy of the mountains very early in life. I was hooked from the first time I strapped into a snowboard at age nine!

What are your favourite events of the year?

The USA Grand Prix and the Burton European Open.

Do you practice other sports too? What are they?

I play golf whenever I can. If I wasn’t snowboarding then golf would be my chosen sport.

How do you think the competitive snowboard scene is developing in the UK?

There’s some great young talent in the UK, but to pursue a professional career as a snowboard athlete can be very expensive and I believe this is a barrier to a lot of the young hopefuls. That’s why I’m proud to be involved in the BA Great Britons Programme – which is helping British talent with supportive flights.

What are your plans for 2010?

To compete at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games and hopefully bring home Gold! After that, I plan to jet off somewhere for a well-earned rest!

What well-loved bit of kit do you never go without when snowboarding?

My steel Red Bull drinking bottle. Its battered now but withstands all the impacts I take on a daily basis in my backpack snowboarding.

Are you the New Year’s Resolution type, and if so what it it?

My New Years resolution this year is to fulfill a promise I made…. I will cycle from Aberdeen in Scotland to London to raise money for the 'Help Our Heroes' campaign. They have a group called 'Battle Back' which helps injured Servicemen and women get back into sport. It’s a brilliant cause which I’m proud to be supporting.
 
 
For ski and snowboarding holiday inspiration, visit – www.britishairways.com/travel/ski-holidays

Ben Kilner is supported by British Airways - the official airline partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. To find out more about how the airline is helping British talent to take off, please go to www.greatbritons.ba.com