|
|
 |
There aren’t many women out there who are both beautiful and record-breaking inline skaters. How did you begin skating?
I started back in Brazil in 1994. My dad gave me a pair of roller skates. Not inline—regular ones with the wheels side by side. I always felt really comfortable in skates and after a few years they put in a skate park by my house—I haven’t stopped since.
So you weren’t a girly girl?
Never! I had a lot of dolls and stuff, but I was always searching for the guys’ toys. They were more challenging and fun.
Your team is still male dominated. Was it difficult to earn their respect or was it trial-by-fire?
They know Martina [Svobodova, X Games teammate] and I deserve to be there. The guys are used to having girls around because the sport’s so progressive—the girls are as good as the guys.
What was it like to compete against guys in the X Games and beat them?
I’ve been competing in the Action Sports Association (ASA) tour with guys for so many years. I never thought I would end up being one of the ASA’s top 10 skaters of all time. When they eliminated the girls’ division it was a challenge for me to see how far I could get on the guys’ circuit. But competing with the guys is amazing because they motivate me to push myself. That’s what pushes me to do the craziest tricks out there.
What’s the craziest trick you’ve done?
The double back flip on the ramp. It’s pretty freaking crazy—only five skaters pull that trick and I’m one of them. I take off forward and land backwards. I’m the only girl to land that trick. Last year in Dubai, I tried that trick and ended up twisting my knee to the point I had to have surgery.
What’s the gnarliest injury you’ve ever seen?
I remember three or four years ago when [motocross champion] Carey Hart tried a double flip at the X Games he just about broke himself in half. It was the craziest thing. I also saw this BMX guy do a 540 hang with his front tire and end up slamming his face into the bike’s bar. He pretty much broke his whole face. |
|
|
