Ruby Andrews Interview.
The 19 year old kiwi crushing it on the world stage.
From ISSUE 105 2023
Words & Images Hamish McDougall.
At this time of year, most 18-year-olds are recovering from the fresher flu after a particularly large O-Week that sets the tone for first University semester. However, there’s one who’s recovering from something quite different—a seven-month stint overseas skiing at the highest level of world slopestyle and big air competitions.
Ruby Star Andrews (also known as Roobers, Rubert, Roobs, just not Rubix Cube) is that one, and she’s just getting started.
As someone who travels with—and coaches— Ruby, I’m constantly astounded by how well she copes with the pressure of competition at the highest level. At the age of 17, Ruby was crowned the Slopestyle Junior World Champion, travelling overseas and competing within a covid environment. She then made the step up to the World Cup tour this year, and stood on the podium at just her second World Cup. After that breakthrough podium she didn’t miss a final and got invited to the Swatch Nines and a host of other prominent events.
Rather than hear me talk about Ruby, I got her to fill us all in, and, with some encouragement, to talk up her achievements. Because us Kiwis are rubbish at doing that.
"I surprised myself with a podium with two of my idols in women’s skiing."
Ruby, you have recently got back to New Zealand after a pretty epic tail-end of the northern winter. How was your April?
I got a surprise invite to the Red Bull Infinite Lines in Avoriaz.
https://www.downdays.eu/events/report/red-bull-infinite-lines-2023-one-perfect-day/
This was a very new type of riding for me that combined park skiing with backcountry/freeride. The event was judged using drone footage as well, which was interesting to see how technology is helping our sport progress, and use more and more terrain.
It was super-different from what I am used to, but it’s something I would like to explore more, since it was so creative. After a quick stop in London to see some family, I ended my season ripping around at the Swatch Nines. I was lucky enough to win the ‘Become A Nine’ video contest, which saw me grab an invite for the event.
The features they were able to build included some pretty big jumps, tunnels, transfer jumps, and spheres with a skate bowl in the middle. It blew my mind and skiing these features was even cooler. The Nines was a great note to finish my season on.
Winter athletes seem to live their lives in two halves. What did you get up to over the past southern winter?
During the 2021-2022 northern winter I earned myself a World Cup spot by becoming Junior World Champion. Therefore, I came in to the 2022 southern winter with some big training goals to prepare for my first World Cup season.
I spent four or five days a week at Cardrona in the early season with the NZ team, hot-lapping the park and getting my rail and jump tricks dialled. Then it was onto the Winter Games, which hosted an invitational Big Air contest. I landed a switch bio 10 and surprised myself with a podium finish next to two of my idols in women’s skiing.
At the same time, I won the Riders’ Choice award, which was the cherry on top. I finished off the season spring skiing and chasing the one big goal I set myself for the season.
There’s a pilgrimage that Wanaka athletes make to the northern hemisphere winter, chasing colder temps and less sunburn. You joined that cohort and travelled north—when did you head over and how did you get on?
The first stop was Stubai, Austria, at the start of November. I competed in my first World Cup, which I’d been looking forward to for a while, as I really wanted to burst onto the World Cup scene this season. I landed a solid run, but was hungry for more.
From there I travelled around the World Cup circuit, competing and making finals at four stops, as well as finishing with a top-six result at the World Champs. The rinse- and-repeat lifestyle of the World Cup circuit might not appeal to some, but I really enjoy it, as I find it addictive wanting to do better in the next one.
The Mammoth World Cup was the absolute highlight of the season; I laced up a clean run and walked away with the bronze medal. I didn’t see this one coming at all, and to make a podium in my first World Cup season was a dream come true.
It was your first year on tour. As a rookie, was it intimidating being in the start gate with some of the biggest names in women’s skiing?
Much less than I thought. The camaraderie in women’s skiing is unmatched; there was never a moment where I felt out of place, as all the girls are so friendly and empowering. It is so amazing to have that with the people I’m competing against, and I can now call some of them my best friends. It’s a really inspiring group of people to hang with.
As your friends move off to Uni and onwards, does a part of you wish for that?
I’ve dreamt of becoming a pro skier since I was 11 or 12, so I knew I was going on a different path to my peers in school. I keep in touch with my friends from home and see them as much as I can, but I’m happy on the path I’m on now, and happy for those friends who are enjoying University. It’s something that I might delve into in the future, but for now I have some big skiing goals to chase.
Why did you choose skiing? What’s your earliest memory of it?
I don’t actually remember learning to ski, as I was only three years old. My earliest memory would’ve been a few years later at The Remarkables in Queenstown. I followed my sister down an off- piste run that was clearly above my skill level, but I did end up making it down safe and sound. It was so loose and fun, I wanted to go again.
There were a couple of firsts for you last season, including becoming the first Kiwi woman to do a dub 10 to snow. How did that feel and what was the process leading up to that?
The past year had a few big positives. Landing my first double was a huge goal for the southern winter, and the feeling when I landed was the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had. Now I want to chase that feeling again, because it’s like no other.
The process leading up to it was long, as I’ve wanted this trick for a while now. The trampoline was a part of it, looking for timing and good take-offs, but the tramp time got hindered due to some niggles I was having. The landing bag was my main progression area; it started off pretty tricky, but I got a few good reps on it and decided tomorrow would be the day.
When I started out on the airbag the next day, they weren’t working, but I pushed through, thinking about a strong take-off, consistency in rotation, a good spot and I landed three to the feet. I knew then that I had the trick and it was time to pull trigger.
You were also the first Kiwi female skier in 10 years, since Anna Willcox-Lowe, to get a Slopestyle World Cup podium. How did that event go and what was it like to stand on the podium? And how blown away do you think your coach was?
Woah, that’s a crazy stat—it’s super-cool to be next after Anna, as she’s someone who inspires me. The Mammoth World Cup was only my second World Cup and had some ups and downs. I had a super-tough practice, which knocked my confidence hugely.
Next thing I knew, the qualification day had rolled around and I was able to switch into comp mode. I had a good practice just before qualys, and managed to qualify for finals in fourth place. I was absolutely over-the-moon to make the finals, as that was a goal for the season.
After that all I wanted to do was to put down a run in the very windy conditions. With all my family watching from back home, I was so proud that my score held for third place. After the comp was done I still couldn’t really believe it, and to stand on the podium with Kirsty and Johannee felt like an honour.
When I came up the lift after it was finished and saw Hamish (coach), I could tell that he couldn’t believe it, either. He was so happy and proud of me. We have worked so hard together over that past year, so I was happy to stand on the podium for him too.
How do you want to be remembered as a skier?
I want to be remembered as someone who pushed the boundaries in women’s skiing as well as someone who brought style into comp skiing. I also want to inspire young Kiwis to chase their dreams and push for what they want.
What does the next 12 months look like for you?
Right now, I’m preparing for another big Kiwi winter of training. I’m going for a big jump push this year to widen my bag of tricks, so that I’m ready for any features thrown my way. I’ll be posted up in Wanaka until November, then I’ll spend the next five or so months on the road, chasing the World Cup season.
I have a goal run that I want to put down, including a double cork. I would love to secure another podium or two, but that comes down to how well I ski on the day, no matter the conditions. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what happens for me in the next 12 months.
