Torah Bright and the 06 Olympics

PRE OLYMPICS INTERVIEW

Firstly, big congratulations on qualifying for the Olympics. What date did this happen and where were you when it was confirmed that you had qualified to represent Australia in the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics??
          IT was at the olympic venue in Bardoneccia, in February. It was a year  exactly until the olympics were going to be held.

Describe to us how you felt at the moment of time?
          There were two world cups at this one. and in the first before i had even taken a finals run we new that i had qualified because top 6 which is how many they take into the finals was what i needed to get to the olympics. I remember just leaning to Benny B and just almost whispering, 'benny were going tot he olympics'. pretty cool.

So how much time , money, practice, bruises and heart aches went in to achieving your qualification??
         You can't measure bruises and heart aches but the amount of money and the days we were up early waiting for any break of good weather to get some training in was also countless.

You were coached by your brother Benny ,?
          This is very true, benny coaches me. He is incredibly dedicated and we see my ridding improving so much.

Why did you decide to not receive support and coaching from the AIW ??
          Because of my commitments with my sponsors i was not able to join the  team as they would be required to do the world cup circuit. This way i was able to fulfill my commitments doing the events and photo shoots as well as do the world cups i needed to get my points up to qualify for the olympics

What did you have to do get secure your spot on the olympic team?
          you had to get a 1 top 20% of the field or 3 top 60%.

Your sister Roweena also represented Australia in Skiing, what discipline and when did she do this?
          Rowena competed in ski racing at the Salt Lake City Olympic games. In the combined event.

As an event do you hold the Olympics as the be all of all events?
To the world yes it is, but to me and my career no. That is the nice thing about snowboarding. We have our own professional circuits that have nothing to do with FIS.

What about the your first run, what's going to be running through your head?
          I think i will just be wanting to get a run down solid, i am sure the whole atmosphere with the crowd you'll be playing on,

Were are you now, and what are your preparation plans prior to the games?
          I have been training in Breckenridge and things are going really well, we are about to head to the X games to test the run out and then out to the BIG O.  Not sure what to expect yet... it will be amazing i am sure, just going with the flow.

Well all I can say is, big m ups and good luck.





POST OLYMPICS INTERVIEW

So tell us about walking out into the opening ceremony, how was the energy?
          I actually decided that i would not do the opening ceremony, because i feeling exhausted from the week of training, it was a great feeling watching it on tv and knowing i am apart of it.

How was the pipe and your week of training prior to the comp?
          The pipe i found was odd, i could not quite figure it out, every day it was different, but when the comp came around it was good.

Which riders impressed you the most?
          Shaun White... i see him ride and i don't know how he does it, he is just smooth, like butter.

 Your comp runs, were you happy with them?
          I was happy with one of my qualifying runs that actually was the 2nd best score of the day and then in the practice before the finals. . . something just clicked and i had never ridden so well in my life!  Then first run in the finals my shoulder popped out mid air. The second run i managed to put together a run well.  It was such a shame for that shoulder to pop out. Nothing you can do a bout stuff like that.

What position did that end up getting you?
          I ended up 5th, but i feel that it should have placed me on the podium.
My run is the most technical and the most progressive run in female snowboarding, and it can only get better.

You had some great support from the crowd, where did those Torah Banners come from, and was that Nick Gregory with the A out of Torah on his chest?
         yes that was Nick G, and mum did and awesome job of getting banners and stickers... i could not believe it, that was the highlight for sure, seeing everyone getting into it. I could not wait to join them all in the celebration.

You had the most expectations out of all the Aussie athletes to win a medal, did this play on your mind, or motivate you?
         No more than the expectations i put on myself because of what i am capable of.

You just one the USopen, Super Pipe Champs and the Vans Triple Crown, great effort. Did you feel you had something to prove?
          After the olympics i was done. i was so worn out from the excitement and disappointment that i could not think of competing again so soon. But supper coach and i packed up for yet another road trip. We did the contest, same run as the olympics, we were about to pack up and go home because we were preparing to be rip off again, but we came out on top. That defiantly game me some motivation for the rest of the season.  It felt good get some recognition for the run that i was pulling.

Dingo was presenting at the Usopen , in introducing you to the podium he stated “the first ever Aussie to win the Us open” , that would of made me cry if I was in the stands.
          When the dingo said that, it hit me. That goes down in the history books, as the US Open is the most prestigious event in snowboarding, and i, an Australian just won it!!  I felt very patriotic. There were a bunch of aussies there to enjoy the excitement with, so that was nice.

What now for Torah Bright,  might we see you in the aussie back country hitting some kickers? in the streets jibbing it up, or in the ditch working on gold for 2010.
          I thinking it will be all of the above... there is so much i want to do in snowboarding so i am going to be out ridding and having some fun.

Well Congrats again on all your achievements, anyone you would like to thank??
          I think the person that does  not get enough thanks from me is my brother Ben, you all know him, he is great and he has made me the ridder i am and am becoming. I have always looked at his ridding and wanted to ride like him.  Thanks benny!
Thanks to the sponsors, Roxy, Salomon, Samsung, Gravis. Could not do this with out them.
My family for all the support they give me. Love you all.