This winter we follow Pien Bierens, fanatic freestyle mogul skier who became 5th in Europe last season. A great achievement for this 20 year old freestyle ski talent from Noord-Brabant!
What is freestyle mogul skiing?
This is a discipline in freestyle skiing where you have to ski over small bumps (moguls) as fast as possible and come across two jumps where you then perform a jump. During this run you are judged on technique, jump and time.
It is officially a freestyle ski competition that falls under the FIS Freestyle Federation and also has 2 of its own competitions within the Olympic Games. The singles and the duo competitions. It is a fast spectacular competition that is fun to follow where a lot is asked of the athletes. The skiing technique that is used is different from what you are used to during e.g. the giant slalom. In order to go as fast as possible, the knees are pulled in on the mogul (buckel) and then extended again at the deepest point. Also called the 'tief-entlastung' which, together with an upper body that is as stable as possible, should ensure a fast descent. Often the competition participants also ski with shorter ski poles.
Can you briefly tell us who you are? How old you are and what you do?
"Hi, I'm Pien Bierens (20) and I do freestyle mogul skiing. This is also known as mogul skiing. "
Where does the love for snow come from?
"Since I was 3 years old, my parents always took me on skiing holidays, which is where my great love for snow originated. I always enjoyed it so much that I thought I really wanted to make it my sport! "
Where does the love for freestyle mogul skiing come from?
"My love for freestyle mogul skiing started when I was about 8 years old, when I joined the ski club Snowriders. We train twice a week in the winter at Montana Snowcenter. That is an indoor ski slope in Westerhoven. We also got the opportunity to participate in kids cup competitions abroad at this ski club. Of course I couldn't say no to that, because how much fun is that! That's where I really discovered how super cool the sport is, because the real snow is still the most fun!
And in the summer we train twice a week at Aquabest. There is a water jump there where you can practice new jumps for the coming season because you land in the water, because that gives a little bit more than snow."
What does the upcoming winter season look like?
"I will be abroad a lot this coming winter season. We will start with a training camp in Finland. After which I will be in Sweden a while later for a training camp followed by the first FIS competition of the season."
Then the European Cup season starts for me at the end of January where I will participate in the following competitions:
February 3/4 -> Are, Sweden
February 10/11 -> Taivalkoski Finland
February 16/17 -> Jyväskylä, Finland
February 22/23 -> Stockholm, Sweden
March 3/4 -> Airolo, Switzerland
March 9/10 -> Megeve, France
Busy season! What achievements are you most proud of so far?
"Last season I finished 5th overall in Europe and I got to participate in the youth World Championship! That was really cool!"
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
"Steady finals and podium at the European Cup!"
What is your long term goal?
"Competing at the World Cup competitions. And of course I would love to achieve results there too!!"
What don't we know about you yet?
"That I prefer to be in the gym at 6am in the morning for my strength and conditioning training."
How can we follow you in the coming period?
"On Instagram and via Facebook!"
Good luck this season Pien, we'll be following you!
Thnx!!