Catchin up with Mercedes Nicoll

Mercedes Nicoll explains the reasoning behind her temporary expulsion from the Canadian National Team, riding with the Flow Team in Japan and why her car is named “Hi-Ho”…

FSM: Mercedes, I’m sure you’ve been asked a thousand times but… Why the name Mercedes?
Mercedes Nicoll: My parents liked it, so do I.

FSM: No relation to the car then?
MN: Nada, but I want one!

FSM: What kind of car do you drive now?
MN: I love my Subaru. It’s a forester, sliver, named HI HO

FSM: Why Hi Ho?
MN: Cause its silver silly. Like the horse. Hi Ho silver, from that cowboy show.

FSM: Aha… like the horse. Cute. So, how’s your season been?
MN: It’s been busy. Lots of contests. Glad to be done with those!

FSM: Which contests did you hit up this year?
MN: Wow, So many it feels like. Breck Grand Prix, X Games, World Cup in Korea, Canadian World cups, US Open, Chicken Jam, Nationals, and the Viesta de la Pipa. I might have forgotten a couple

Mercedes Nicoll pops off some of her trademark skate style in the CO backcountry. Geoff Andruik Photo

FSM: Any other cool trips you went on this year? Besides just contest stuff?
MN: Just got back from a hut trip for The Drift! And went to Japan with the Flow boys. Auntti (Autti), Tim (Humphreys), (Andrew) Mutty… There were 5 boys and me.

FSM: How was it, holding your own with 5 dudes like that?
MN: Good times. I kinda like it better. No drama.

FSM: Any party stories from Japan with the boys?
MN: No, we were too tired. It was the kind of trip that you get up at like 6 a.m., and get home at 7 p.m. Long days. But we did have the best sushi of my life!
FSM: You went to the last Olympics right?
MN: Yuppers.

Feeding time… Geoff Andruik Photo

FSM: And are you gunning up for the next Olympics?
MN: I’m gonna try. I kind of need to redeem myself. And they are in Canada…

FSM: And you are Canadian….
MN: I am, but I do spend my fair share of time in Mammoth! Some people forget. There are no more “eh’s?” in my sentences.

FSM: What does it take to make it on the Canadian National Team?
MN: Well, now they have tryouts! So anyone can try to get on the team. They consist of riding, fitness, and being a good sport.

FSM: Do you have to try out for the team next year then? Or are you kind of grandfathered in?
MN: I was off the team for half of the year last year, cause I had a bad attitude! Everyone has to try out. They did (the tryouts) in April. Should know soon if I made it.

FSM: You got kicked off the Canadian National Team for having a bad attitude?
MN: That’s right. I didn’t read the fine print. Always read the fine print!!!

FSM: The “fine print” of your Canadian National Team contract says you must have a good attitude?
MN: For the tryouts last year, it was 25% attitude.

FSM: And your attitude was salty enough that they kicked you off? You punk rockin rebel!
MN: I try!

FSM: What kind of things did you do that proved you had a bad attitude at the time of your expulsion.
MN: Well, they told us to show them how we get down the mountain and it was at COP, it takes like 10 seconds to get down, so I went straight. They didn’t really like that. They wanted turns to see how we ride.

FSM: Punk Ass… what else?
MN: UM, well I didn’t really try. I figured they were looking at the years results. Again, read the fine print.

FSM: Wow. And what did it take to sweet talk your way back on?
MN: I worked out for 3 months in the summer. That was the deal.
FSM: I’m shocked. Mostly because you can be one of the most upbeat and motivating girl riders I know.
MN: Not so much when it comes to the national team. Things there need to get worked out.

FSM: So you’re not a huge fan of the way things work up in Canada when it comes to snowboarding for the government?
MN: They’re trying to get it right! I think.

FSM: Ok, we’ll wrap this up. Sponsor shout outs?
MN: Thanks to Flow, Mammoth, Is design, Powder Room, The Source!

There’s something about Mercedes… Geoff Andruik Photo