All Eyes on Mathias Weissenbacher

Some snowboarders just ride their local hill and are happy with it, while others need to fly all around the shredosphere to get their kicks. Mathias Weissenbacher from Austria has been to all the countries that have bad stereotypes including China and Russia. He rode their parks, ate their food, tasted their women, well I don't know about the last one but he sure enjoyed the experience. Mathais was very busy last season; he traveled around the globe, competing in the biggest contests and enjoying life to the max, so we sat decided to sit down with him for a little chat. Enjoy.

I see you traveled a lot this season. Russian food or Chinese food?

For sure Chinese food! Well, Russian food is also not bad but Chinese is just awesome! I´ve been there already quite few times and every time when I go there there is always something new to try. That's what it makes it so special, just trying things you don´t even know what it is and it just tastes great.  I guess it's better not knowing what the stuff is sometimes... Tai Chi or Sotchi?
Tai Chi? Is that that a ninja thing? Well, I haven't tried it but I am pretty sure it would be sick! So, I am going to have to say Sotchi.

What color was your tap water in each country?

In China it was good and clear. In Russia in Sotchi it wasn't so clear. It was a kind of brown-ish yellow.

What is something actually pretty good about Russians?

They are actually friendly! I always thought they were a really unfriendly bunch of people and we're hard as rocks. They are not rocks and when it comes down to partying they party hard, with a lot of vodka!

Tell us about the weird promo chicks that hang out next to you while you wait to get your score in a comp? Are some better than others?
Haha, yep, sometimes they are weird for sure! They are all different depending on each country and competition. Some don´t even speak a word with you because they don´t speak english at all, others are really funny, Like the ones in China, they were crazy and hyped and dance off with. They just keep us entertained while we wait for our scores.
Mathias sailing a tweeked out tail snatch.If you were to judge judging, what score would judging get in general?
Well there are some competitions where the judging was really good and there is nothing to complain about, I would actually say most of comps are like this. The best is when jugdes are riders themselves, especially the snowboard legends. The worst is when the judges don't even snowboard and learned everything in some sort of judging course. All in all if I were to judge judges from 0 -10, I would give them a 7.

Can a 10.0 really happen?
For me a perfect 10 can never happen. There is always someone that can do something better or with more style!

Is contest boarding about to go full retard?

Yep, for sure, it's already gotten quite retarded already. I don´t know, but when I started snowboarding and watched contests it seemed like style, different grabs and creativity was way more important.

Are we really gonna see quadflps?
For sure we will, if they keep building jumps higher and bigger then it's bound to happen. I bet there are already some poeple out there practicing or even stomping quadflips. It sounds just crazy but one or two seasons back a triple cork was something outstanding and new, now a lot of snowboarders do them and it seems they are kinda not that special anymore. It was the same when the doubles first came out.
Mathias enjoy the pink shades from the sunset before he sends it one last time.What contests did you do that rewarded style?
I think it was definitely the Wängl Tängl in Mayrhofen. That comp is always about style and creativity and I guess that´s the thing why that made it my favorite contest.

What contest was just counting flips and spins?
Most of the bigger competitions out there. At the end of the day, the one who spins and flips the most is the one who wins!

Is being upside a comfortable place?
I guess it always depends on the rider. I think it's just a thing you have to get used to in these days in snowboarding. For me being upside down feels good, kinda comfy for me, but also way easier than spinning flat. I do both, but I prefer flat spins.

Bats hang out upside down almost the whole day, do you wonder how they take poops without shitting all over himself?
Well, I guess they just have to wait 'til it's night and they can start flying around and take a shit but maybe they have their own technique so they can take a poop whilst they are upside down or maybe, they wait until there is a lot of pressure and then they start firing it up like a machine gun! :)
Mathias getting absolutely extreme in the Absolut Park in Flachauwinkl.What is your goggle of choice on the hill?
My goggle of choice on the hill is the  Catchline by Adidas Originals Eyewear. There is no other goggle out there which is so comfortable and I can use one lens for all kinds of weather conditions, which is awesome.

What is your sunglasses of choice off the hill?
It's the Malibu by Adidas Originals Eyewear. The Malibu is the new one in the family of Adidas Eyewear sunglasses. For me it's also my favorite with it's perfect shape and an insane lens and it also comes in lots of different color ways.
Mathias rocking the Catchline and the Malibu at the same time!