Bolton snowboard sensation Huw Nightingale says he’s ready to roll out all his favourite tricks and flicks after taking a first spin around the Winter Olympic slopes.
Nightingale, 20, will represent Team GB in the snowboard cross event in Beijing after a searing debut season on the World Cup circuit.
The precocious Lancashire ace is set to take to the stunning Genting Snow Park on Thursday, where he’ll duel it out against some of globe’s hottest talents on the greatest stage of all.
Snowboarders are renowned for their thrill-seeking, adrenaline-fuelled exploits and Nightingale admits he’s firmly cut from that cloth as he aims to take the Olympic Games by storm.
He said: “It’s amazing to be here.
“I can’t wait to show my skills and people in my sport what I can do.
“I’ve got over the jet lag, so that’s a good thing. It’s been a very warm welcome which has been nice, it’s new scenery, the course looking great after a test day, and I can’t wait for the upcoming days.
“Growing up as a child, you watch the Games and think it would be cool to do that one day.
“You think maybe that maybe you can do it. You get older, enjoy the sport a lot more and everything gets closer and closer.
“I had my first World Cup and thought I had a minimal chance of making the Games. But I made it happen and it’s amazing.”
Nightingale was born in Bolton before his family relocated to Austria in 2007, laying the foundations for his searing rise on the snowboard circuit.
He’s been an avid sports fan for as long as he can remember and his dad, Clive, held the position of chairman of Bolton Rugby Club for 13 years.
Nightingale played football and rugby as a youngster but it was the glitz and glamour of snow sports that ultimately captured his attention.
He’s never looked back since and hopes the support of his family and coach, Danny Chambers, can fire him towards an extended career at the snowboarding summit.
He added: “My mum and dad have helped me through everything the most.
“When there’s anything tough I go to them – they definitely helped me become the person I am today, while Danny has also helped me – those three and my brother.
“When I moved to Austria when I was five, my main sport was football, but I always preferred the winter sports.
“I started off skiing, but snowboarding stuck and it’s just gone from then on. It’s amazing.”
Watch All the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 live on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport app.
Feature image: 2022 Beijing Olympics – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross 1/8 Finals – REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
