Leeds Beckett researcher and Olympian previews "electric" action at the Winter Olympics

Three-time Team GB Olympic snowboarder and Leeds Beckett researcher Lesley McKenna has shared her insight into what promises to be an “electric” and fiercely competitive Park and Pipe programme, as Team GB athletes prepare at the Milan Cortina Olympic venues ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday 6 February.

Ready for the games

Lesley McKenna, a former Halfpipe Olympian, has been talking to athletes and coaches currently training in Livigno, which will host the Park and Pipe disciplines - the Big Air, Slopestyle and Halfpipe events: "The atmosphere is really electric already.

"They've had some training on the Slopestyle and Big Air courses, and the athletes and coaches are getting more and more excited as practice goes on and people get comfortable with the jumps, rails and features.

"Everyone is excited to put on a good show, to support each other and hopefully bring out the best for everyone in the free ski and snowboard communities. It’s going to be an exciting and tight competition."

Lesley highlighted strong recent performances at the Aspen X Games and the LAAX FIS World Cup (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) which she said underlined the depth of talent heading into the Olympic competition - particularly for Team GB.

"For us in the UK, we've got really exciting prospects in Park and Pipe.

"Kirsty Muir has just won gold in X Games Free Ski Slopestyle, Mia Brookes is an X Games gold medallist in Snowboard Slopestyle, and Zoe Atkin has also taken X Games gold in Free Ski Halfpipe. All three are absolutely at the top of their game."

She also pointed to other British athletes to watch across the snow sports programme, including snowboard cross rider Charlotte Bankes, who she said is currently in exceptional form.

The stoke train

In her role at LBU as a researcher, Lesley looks into what makes high-performing sport worth it, beyond winning, and how action sports maintain meaning, creativity and community within competitive contexts.

Lesley's research helps to explain one aspect of the sport which most spectators find surprising - the genuine excitement between competitors when they land a hard move, particularly one that's completed with great style, creativity, or innovation to do something a bit different.

This 'stoke' is created by the blend of high risk, creativity and sense of aesthetics that makes up the sport. It leads to a deep shared connection and appreciation between the athletes, alongside a sense of personal accomplishment. She says they "are stoked for one another, as well as for themselves" and will "hug each other and high five" at the finish. Her research sits broadly under Ethics in High Performance Sports.

Lesley explained that Park and Pipe events are judged action sports: "They're a mix of risk, aesthetics, and performance. People love a good show, and we often see things at the Olympic Games that have never been tried before in competition. That’s when it gets exciting."

Get involved

Leslet added to those who may be inspired to try it: "You can try it locally at dry slopes or indoor ski centres. Snow Sport England, Snow Sport Wales and Snow Sport Scotland all have information on how to get involved. It’s a strong, fun community and great sports to be part of."

Leeds Beckett students can also join the snow society (LBSnow), where students who share a passion for skiing and/or snowboarding can come together with a look towards taking part in seasonal trips.

Lesley's work is part of a growing profile of research at Leeds Beckett around high-performance culture and ethics, involving partners such as UK Sport, British Gymnastics, Sport Scotland, England Hockey.