An interview with team rider, Eveline Bhend

by karitraa at Thu, 26th May 2011

One of our team riders, Eveline Bhend was interviewed by skipass.com. Eveline is a talented girl from Switzerland, with a great passion for freeriding. Unfortunately her last season was cut off as she injured herself during one of the competitions, but she is one tough girl who fights back and works hard, so there is no doubt that she’ll come out of it stronger than ever! 

Hi Eve, could you please present yourself to the female world of freeriding that deserves to get to know you.
-I’m Eveline Bhend, most of my friends call me Ebu. I turned 30 last April 6.
I started skiing when I was little but switched to snowboarding when I met my boyfriend, Nils, about 7 years ago. After 3 years alternating between snowboarding and skiing, I took a decision to focus on skiing!

What do you like about freeriding?
-I love riding in the park! I love the feeling of flying on a kicker; it lets me feel so free and happy. I also love to dare myself and to get better and better! But I also enjoy being out in the nature with my friends and share with them what I love so much: skiing.

Your season was going really well when you suddenly broke your acl during a comp, could you tell us more about it?
-Yes that’s true. I went to New Zealand in August 2010. I just came back skiing after my broken ankle in December 09. I didn’t compete, I just wanted to start easily without any pressure.

After that I went to Breckenridge with my boyfriend in December 2010. I took part at Dew Tour (SS) and ended up 5th. I was very happy with this result, because suddenly I was the best European rider. Through this accomplishment I received an invitation to the 1st alternate position for X-Games in Aspen in slope style.
In the end I couldn‘t start, but I did all the trainings. Such a great experience: skiing with the best riders in the world and feeling the special atmosphere!!!

After Aspen I went to Park City for the World Championship. During my last training run, a squall retarded me on a big kicker and I crashed on the table. This was the end of my winter season…

So what are your plans now? You’ve talked about a new approach regarding rehab after your knee surgery, could you tell us more?
-After Park City I went straight to Switzerland. I did the surgery 10 days after. The doctor used some sort of metal spring to hold my knee together like a healthy acl, and supplied with my own blood it will reactivate the mechanism of my broken ligament. This is the future in knee operations because it keeps its own ligament. Another positive point is that I’m progressing much faster. 15 days after my operation I could walk without crutches, push 50 kg on the press and perform balance exercises on my operated leg…
It went very well, though it will still be ups and downs but I try to stay positive.

What do you think about the female freeriding this season? And in Europe?
-Female freeriding is progressing! Some girls are already doing doubles and many off axe rotations. It’s cool to watch the girls skiing now. Watch out! There are many girls headed towards the lead! There are also some European riders who already compete among the top riders. I’m thinking about Virginie Faivre’s nice and smooth style and Eva Patsheider - a couple of my idols.

What are your podium predictions on this year’s European X-Games Slope style?
1st Kaya Tursky
2nd Jessica Warll
3rd Devin Logan

This space is for you, express yourself!
If you’re not hurt, you really have to enjoy every single day on skis. Skiing should never be taken for granted! If you are injured, never lose patience and always keep your goal in mind!

I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me in skiing. First and foremost my family and friends. I would also like to thank my sponsors: Sweet, K2, Kari Traa, Full Tit, Marker, Level, Smith, Dream Factory and Go Sport. Thank you so much!