Ask the Expert - Alain Baxter
Alain Baxter grew up on skis, with both parents having successful careers as British Ski Team members it was a natural progression for the young Scotsman. We’ve been lucky enough to catch him during a break from the slopes. Hear all about his latest challenge and how he became an elite athlete.
Q: Your parents were both British ski team members, was it the natural thing for you to take up skiing from an early age?
A: My parents and many other members of my family still make a living through skiing. I think with their involvement in skiing and growing up in Aviemore I didn’t have much of a choice. Whilst I didn’t compete as young as some kids do these days, I have always skied. If my mum bought me a season ticket, I was up on the hill as much as possible.
A: My parents and many other members of my family still make a living through skiing. I think with their involvement in skiing and growing up in Aviemore I didn’t have much of a choice. Whilst I didn’t compete as young as some kids do these days, I have always skied. If my mum bought me a season ticket, I was up on the hill as much as possible.
Q: Did any other sports take your interest?
A: I have always been interested in keeping active and like to play a variety of sports from ice hockey, shinty, tennis and squash to golf and cycling.
A: I have always been interested in keeping active and like to play a variety of sports from ice hockey, shinty, tennis and squash to golf and cycling.
Q: You have competed in three Olympics, which one was your favourite?
A: They all have very different memories for me, but I would have to say Salt Lake City. It was here that I came out of these games knowing I had skied well.
A: They all have very different memories for me, but I would have to say Salt Lake City. It was here that I came out of these games knowing I had skied well.
Q: How do you prepare yourself mentally for a competition?
A: As long as I know I have done all I can do to prepare, I know I am ready. All athletes are different. Now, I quietly try and psyche myself up and only preoccupy my thoughts with a couple of key points.
A: As long as I know I have done all I can do to prepare, I know I am ready. All athletes are different. Now, I quietly try and psyche myself up and only preoccupy my thoughts with a couple of key points.
Q: What kind of training is involved?
A: There is ‘on-snow’ training for around 8 weeks in the summer, which includes freeskiing, technical and in-the-course. Along side this there is physical training, weights, cycling, running, physio and core exercises. While I was at home, we trained from 3 to 6 hrs a day, 5 ½ days a week.
A: There is ‘on-snow’ training for around 8 weeks in the summer, which includes freeskiing, technical and in-the-course. Along side this there is physical training, weights, cycling, running, physio and core exercises. While I was at home, we trained from 3 to 6 hrs a day, 5 ½ days a week.
Q: In 2004 you competed in Superstars against some of the World’s best athletes and won! What was the experience like?
A: Superstars was a great experience for me and I was proud to be selected. Before entering the competition, I knew I could do quite well in the TV show with my background. One of the best things about the programme was meeting up with all the other athletes that otherwise I would only have met at certain Olympic events, functions or golf days. Superstars gave us a chance to spend 10 days or so playing sport and having great fun in the sunshine.
A: Superstars was a great experience for me and I was proud to be selected. Before entering the competition, I knew I could do quite well in the TV show with my background. One of the best things about the programme was meeting up with all the other athletes that otherwise I would only have met at certain Olympic events, functions or golf days. Superstars gave us a chance to spend 10 days or so playing sport and having great fun in the sunshine.
Q: What do you have coming up this winter?
A: Along with skiing this summer, I have been doing some coaching with the Chill Factore Race Academy. I am also involved with BASI and the Interski Team, and my sponsor dare 2b may be taking me out to Vancouver, which is excellent experience.
A: Along with skiing this summer, I have been doing some coaching with the Chill Factore Race Academy. I am also involved with BASI and the Interski Team, and my sponsor dare 2b may be taking me out to Vancouver, which is excellent experience.
Q: When you’re not competing how you do like to spend your free time?
A: I am lucky as now I am able to spend my free time with my family. When I was on the road, relaxing after training consisted of easy watching TV shows and movies!
A: I am lucky as now I am able to spend my free time with my family. When I was on the road, relaxing after training consisted of easy watching TV shows and movies!
Q: If you could ski anywhere in the World where would it be?
A: I have to yet to ski in Alaska.
A: I have to yet to ski in Alaska.
Q: What advice would you have for someone looking to compete at top level in sport?
A: There are many things to consider. The one thing that sticks in my mind is to try and make your hardest training sessions enjoyable.
A: There are many things to consider. The one thing that sticks in my mind is to try and make your hardest training sessions enjoyable.
Q: What’s your next challenge?
A: My next big challenge has to be to cycle fast enough to make the Commonwealth Team on the track. If this is possible, then I’ll set my sights on London.
A: My next big challenge has to be to cycle fast enough to make the Commonwealth Team on the track. If this is possible, then I’ll set my sights on London.
Q: So you would like to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games as a member of the cycling team?
A: It would be great to compete in 2012, but I know I have to take it one step at a time. Whilst I am quick, I haven’t done my first race yet to see where I would position and I would ultimately need to find out if this goal is possible.
A: It would be great to compete in 2012, but I know I have to take it one step at a time. Whilst I am quick, I haven’t done my first race yet to see where I would position and I would ultimately need to find out if this goal is possible.
