Meet Russ Henshaw. 

Russ was Australia's only male competitor in Ski Slopestyle when the sport made its Olympic debut at the Sochi 2014 Games in Russia, at the age of 23. Russ was an accomplished Alpine Skier before he switched to Freestyle Skiing and joined the international circuit at the age of just 15. He really made a name for himself when he grabbed the silver at the X Games and bronze in the World Championships in Park City, USA. 

We sat down with Russ to learn more about this sport, and also his journey... 

Tell us about your 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games experience

It was definitely a challenging experience to say the least. I had torn my right ACL just over a year out from the Olympics and decided to try and ski without an ACL so that I didn’t have to take any time off from skiing, and so I was able to work on tricks I needed for the event. I ended up having a crash a week out from the Olympics and I tore my left ACL as well.

As you can imagine it was a pretty stressful time for me. In saying all of that it was a blast and I am so grateful I was able to represent my country and show the world what freesking is.

How did you get into the sport

It actually all started with the Winter Sports Club at Perisher. I had done quite a bit of racing before I started freeskiing but I went straight into the freeski program and never looked back.

What are some of the best memories you’ve got from Winter Sports Club

I think it was when we called ourselves the "doo crew" and just ripped around Perisher. It was basically just skiing with all of my mates and having a really good time.

What are the most unexpected things involved with this sport?

Injuries. You plan out a full season of travel and events and things can get cut short relatively quickly with an injury.

What goes through your head in the lead up to a competition?

I obviously spend a fair bit of time visualizing but other than that I just try to take it easy and relax. 

Boosting the big 80ft jumps must create some butterflies. How do you manage that much adrenaline on a regular basis?

It's definitely a little intimidating but it's also very rewarding. I think the reward, more often then not, outways the risk and that’s why I keep hurling myself of the jumps

What was your breakout moment when you realised you wanted to ski Slopestyle for a living?

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a professional skier, but it wasn’t until I got my first ever international podium that I realised my dream could become a reality.

How do you handle wanting to win but also wanting to be inventive with new tricks and styles; and when push comes to shove, which is more important to you?

I think winning and being inventive go hand in hand. I don’t see either of them as being more important. I go out there at every event to put down the best run I possibly can. If that run wins, well that is just a bonus.

Who else keeps you on your game?

Definitely my Partner Laura. If it wasn’t for her I would 100% struggle to try and manage everything that comes along with being a professional athlete haha.

While there’s definitely strong competition, we've seen some awesome friendships within the Slopestyle world. Who’s your partner in crime?

I'd say we are pretty much just one big family. We all love skiing together and we get to travel the world with each other to these epic locations. Of course we have rivalries and we want to win but at the end of the day we are all mates. 

Recovering from injury is a long process, how do you stay focused on the big goal?

It’s a huge process but at the end of the day I just want to ski. I put all my time and effort into getting healthy again for the simple fact that skiing is what I love and I don’t want to live without it.

Who did you look up to when you were just starting out?

I looked up to Jon Olsson quite a bit when I was younger.

In the summer months, how do you maintain the focus and motivation for a winter sport?

By skiing haha. I have maybe a month and a half off between the Australian season and the northern hemisphere season and I usually skateboard, play guitar and I try to squeeze in a summer holiday for a few weeks, and then I’m skiing again!

Leaving your family and friends to train and compete overseas, tell us what that’s like…

It definitely takes a toll and I miss home quite a bit, but I love skiing and it’s a sacrifice you just have to make. I wish all my friends and family could just travel with me.

When you’ve got mates from overseas visiting here in Perisher, what’s the first place you take them to and why?

Front Valley! We all love riding park and the park at Perisher is hands down the best in the world!

When there’s a big dump of snow and the park doesn’t have ideal conditions, where’s the first place you go?

I either go to Eyre or over to Rock Garden in Blue Cow.

Where do you see the sport of Slopestyle headed in the future?

To be honest I haven’t really thought about it. I just hope as many people get to enjoy the same sport I love.

Is the lifestyle of an Olympic Slopestyle Skier what people think?

It’s definitely a lot of fun haha

You’ve traveled a fair bit as a result of your career, where’s your favourite location and why?

To be honest, I cherish being home because I travel so much. So I’d definitely say Jindabyne. 

When you look back on your career, what do you want people to remember you for?

I want to be remember as the guy who had the most fun doing what I love.

What’s some advice you can give young athletes who want to be where you are now?  

Have fun and let it all fall into place. Don’t force things because it never works like that.

What was the best advice you were given, and who was it from?

My mum told me to have fun with everything you do and it has stuck with me since then.