Penticton’s Andi Naude is not fixated on numbers this season competing with the Canadian national moguls team.
Naude, an alumnus of the Apex Freestyle Club (AFC), said before the Christmas break that she hasn’t spent time thinking about numbered results. She is just concerned about performing her best on the World Cup circuit after working hard in the off-season.
Naude, who turns 19 on Jan. 10 when the team is in Deer Valley, Utah, has confidence after having one of her best off-seasons. Among the things she worked on were the small details in her skiing, including hand and body position as well as a new jump. When it comes to performing this season, Naude feels no pressure about what she can do.
“I’m really excited to get out there and show everyone what I’ve got,” said Naude, who finished fourth in Calgary over the weekend.
Naude said the Canadian team looks strong, including sisters Chloe, Justine and Maxim Dufour-Lapointe. The first two took second and third on the podium in Calgary on the weekend. She also said that Audrey Robichaud is looking good.
It won’t be difficult for Naude to push herself, as she acknowledged that everyone, including her Canadian teammates, are better this season.
“Everyone has really stepped it up,” said Naude, who spent Christmas at home with family, which also included quality time at Apex Mountain Resort. “I can vouch for my team, we have really been pushing each other. It was clearly evident in the first competition.”
The level of competition among Naude and her teammates will likely heighten with four spots to compete for in the world championship in Austria in mid January.
So far she is pleased with the early results, which included sixth in Ruka, Finland.
“I’m really excited with how I did,” said Naude following her performance in Finland. “It’s a good start to the season. I was sort of nervous going into the event. It was definitely pretty nerve-racking. After I won my first, then my second, I really felt like I was back getting into the groove. I’m just excited to be back into the starting gate.”
Another AFC alumni who competed in Calgary was Jordan Kober., who placed 38th overall.
