| Mike Wakefield - GB Freestyle Ski Champion |
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| Written by Mark | |||||||
| Monday, 12 March 2007 | |||||||
| Last Updated ( Monday, 26 March 2007 ) | |||||||
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Mike Wakefield - GB Freestyle Ski Champion
We caught up with Mike Wakefield after the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show to get an insight into his life as a professional skier and his plans for the future. Career Highlights
British Half-pipe Champion 2004, 2005
Mike started life in skiing through a different sport, inline skating. He started at the age of 8 and competed for nearly 5 years and even considered turning pro. Despite being British Champion he found that interest in the sport had died down and confessed to feeling a bit bored. A friend introduced him to snow blading and in his first year he also made British Champion at Snow Blading as well. He spent time using the artificial slopes and also used the slopes at Castleford Xscape and the Sheffield Ski Village to give him real snow to perfect his techniques. His background in skating meant that scoring points for manoeuvres and tricks was second nature and he kept improving quickly. Pat Sharple introduced him to skis and within 15 minutes he was able to put the tricks from blades and skates into practice with full length skis. (we reckon that is more about his nerve, skill and experience). In his first year he won the British Champs and in fact has won the title for 4 years out of 5. The year he didn’t win he was out injured with a broken collar bone. He has suffered this injury twice and had to have it pinned the second time. The future Mike says is about learning news skills and pushing the limits with new tricks.
Mike getting airborne (Photo courtesy of Alan Green) How is your training structured? His basic fitness levels are maintained through Skiing on a regular basis. He supplements this with gym sessions to enhance his cardio and also leg strength and upper body. We asked him if he works on core stability but he says that has not really been necessary as he believes good natural balance and many years of competing in similar sports has given him good natural reserves. Which other sportsmen and sports women do you admire or that inspire you? Mike enjoys competing with his friends on the circuit and for fun and finds that they push and inspire each other. Who are your sponsors that you would like to thanks?
Gym - A local gym called The Lab Any other companies wanting to get involved and sponsor Mike then please contact us on This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and we will make the introductions If you could be a superhero, which one would you be? Spiderman Quick Fire Round:
Favourite Film: The best film ever made….Top Gun of course or a close second is Footloose What about the Future? Mike says that his ambition has always been the same to represent Great Britain. He is passionate about seeing his discipline as an Olympic Sport. He also aims to stand on the podium at the X Games one day. Mike is off to Les Des Alps for the winter season to polish up his skills and move things forward. If you are out there in that resort we think he will be difficult to miss. On his radar screen for the season is to compete in the World Half Pipe Champs in January and then the European Open in Laax in Switzerland in March. Given his natural talent and progress so far this vision seems achievable with hard work. We wish him well and of course Big Air!!
(Photo of Mike provided by Andy Green)  Add as favourites (0) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 687 | Print | E-mail
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