Profile... Melanie Leando
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Introduction...
Melanie has been involved in British and International snowboarding for well over a decade enjoying a competitive career on the world stage as one of the first successful, British World Cup riders.
As an athlete with a professional, dedicated approach Melanie has attracted the support of many high profile brands over her career including Nokia, Casio, Thomson Holidays, Nike, Nintendo, Red Bull, Paul Mitchell, Swiss Bank, K2 and Helly Hansen to name a few.
Her experiences with these global brands inspired her to study again and more recently Melanie can be found riding between the Northern and Southern hemispheres enjoying less pressure, working on new skills and completing her Communications degree.
• Snowboarding professionally since 1995
• 7 times British Champion
• 5 years on the World Pro Tour with a best World ranking of 5th
• Best World Championship finish 8th
• Colour Commentator for the Park City Olympic Games
• Former Grandstand ‘Ski Sunday’ Presenter (snowboarding)
By PF
Snowboarder Questionnaire
How old where you when you first began riding?
18 years old
What/Who got you into it?
A group of friends
What sort of board do you ride?
K2
What length board do you ride?
154
Do you ride Regular or Goofy?
Regular
Stance width?
19"
© Michael Faveere
From Melanie's Action Gallery.
Stance angles (front and back)?
12 degrees front and 3 degrees back
Favourite resort?
Mammoth Mountain, Saint Foy, Whistler
How many seasons have you done?
12
Where and when did you do your seasons?
My first season was in Meribel, France. Between then and now I have also been based in Bourg St Maurice, Tignes, Morzine and Les Arcs in France and Mammoth Lakes in California, where I've spent most of my time.
What was your favourite trip and why?
I love every trip, you never know who you may meet and what you might find, and there is always some good food and friendly faces to encounter.
What do you love about snowboarding?
I love the freedom and the personal challenges that you can achieve in your own level of snowboarding. Something new can be learned or perfected every time you ride and that's always a reward for me. Also, just the pleasure and peace of riding in the trees with no one else around and a foot of fresh powder is bliss. Snowboarding is my perfect sport.
© James McPhail
From Melanie's Action Gallery.
What's your goal within snowboarding?
To ride until I can't anymore... Maybe to satisfy my competitive side with the odd contest and shoot photos when the conditions are good. To keep learning and having fun is something which feels obvious to me.
What aspect of snowboarding gives you the most satisfaction (powder, kickers, halfpipe, competitions, big air, cliff drops, etc.)?
Kickers and powder
What style of snowboarding best describes your riding (include a couple if you want)?
Freestyle
What's your favourite trick?
BS540 and straight indy
What's your scariest snowboarding moment?
There's a few...
What are your top safety tips when riding?
Always have an eye on others around you and know the conditions...
What advice have you got?
Snowboarding can take you on an adventure to some of the most beautiful places in the world, enjoy it!!
