Star Spotlight: Ben Tudhope

Thredbo: Describe yourself in three words? 

BT: Smiley, Stoked, Passionate

Thredbo: Some big wins for you on the 22/23 international circuit. What was your favourite moment from the season?

BT: My favourite achievement was definitely winning World Championships but two exact moments stand out…

One was forerunning the Abled Bodied World Cup in Cortina Italy, the first time ever by a Paralympian!

The second was a gnarly double overtake that moved me from 3rd to 1st at a World Cup in Germany. Risky move but it held my line and paid off well.

 

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Thredbo: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

BT: I’m proud of every competition I’ve competed in no matter what the result but being the flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics holds a special place in my heart.

 

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Thredbo: You’re constantly pushing the boundaries for Paralympic Sport. What are you most proud of?

BT:  Ohh this is a big one. Pushing Paralympic sport to a wider audience is my purpose in continuing my sport. I’ve seen how much it has grown from the 10 years I’ve competed and every day I’m motivated to make change. Whenever a kid or person with a disability comes up to me on the slopes and tells me they are motivated to start because of me is a feeling that compares to nothing else. It just shows how far Paralympic sport has come in general but especially snowboarding because I didn’t even know the sport existed when I started as a young grom.

 

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Thredbo: What work still needs to be done to make snowboarding more accessible to Paralympic athletes?

BT:  Honestly it’s all about pathway programs. I believe there has been a significant improvement in the accessibility of people with disabilities to get involved in snow sports through the great work of DWA and Thredbo, however when a person then tries to pursue the sport to reach a high-performance level they get lost as there isn’t a next step to continue improving their skills. I believe all local sports clubs should have an inclusive program that lets people with disabilities train to try to become Paralympic athletes the same way as able-bodied people try to become Olympic athletes. 

Thredbo: What does a usual day in Thredbo look like for you? 

BT:  Ohhh the perfect day would be to wake up early and get the first lifts after a 10-20cm snowfall. Then go straight to Michael’s and charge that until it’s tracked out. Then head over to Merritts and have some carving soul turns before either hitting cruiser park in the arvo or some secret spots out near Golf Course. I’m also really enjoying backcountry and splitboarding, so definitely a few missions up to Kosci!

Thredbo: Best tunes for the drive to Thredbo? 

Thredbo: A special memory you have in Thredbo? 

BT: My first ever interschools competition. I was in Year 4 at Rossi Racecourse. I fell over the starting gate and then did falling leaf the whole way down and got a time over 1:20 mins. If anyone knows that course, it takes less than 30 seconds. 

Thredbo: Who inspires you? 

BT: I always say all of my coaches as they have all had a significant influence on the way I ride. An athlete/coach relationship is very unique and compares to nothing else. So I thank everyone who has coached me.

 

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Thredbo: What’s next for Ben? 

BT:  I’m very excited for the Aussie winter and to ride my favourite mountain again! My coach from Canada is coming down for the season which is great. Then I’ll be doing more of what I usually do… heading overseas around October to start the competition season again. And of course, try to inspire as many people as I can along the way and positively impact the Paralympic landscape.

Thredbo: Thanks so much Ben! See you very soon.

BT: Can’t wait!