Snowboarding history maker Mia Brookes: “I could feel it was going to happen”

Visualisation? Breathing techniques? Mediation? It was none of the above for 16-year-old Mia Brookes as she prepared to become the youngest-ever snowboard slopestyle world champion on Monday (27th January).

Competing in her first world snowboard slopestyle world championships, a brilliant Run 1 in Bakuriani, Georgia, meant that the Cheshire-born athlete had already secured the silver medal going into the penultimate run of the competition.

The only person above her in the standings was reigning world and Olympic champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, and Brookes got in the zone in her own style.

“I was listening to Rage Against the Machine and Metallica!” Brookes told Olympics.com with a huge smile shortly after her history-making triumph.

Given that she went on to land the first-ever Cab 1440 double flip in a women’s FIS competition, heavy metal does feel like the most fitting soundtrack to this success.

“I was at the top and when my coach was like, ‘You're gonna do a 14 today’,” Brookes continued.

“I had tried it once before in practice and I knew I had to do it if I wanted to win. But then I got really worried because if I landed it, I would just want to jump up and start crying because I'd be so happy.

“There were two more features after the jump that I had to complete as well, so when I landed it, I thought I had done the 14 but I just had to keep my focus. Once I finished the run I had to stop because I realised what I had just done and I was like, ‘Right, now I can start crying and celebrating!’”

Mia Brookes on creating history

Despite having competed in just three World Cup events going into her debut world champs, Brookes looked like a seasoned veteran on the Georgian snow.

With a potentially life-changing run about to take place, many athletes may have succumbed to the magnitude of the occasion.

But not Brookes, who, using the confidence of her youth and hard work, simply went and did what she does best.

“Obviously I get a little nervous, but not that much,” she revealed.

“I just know that if I've landed the run in practice, and that I’ve already done enough to finish on the podium, I know that everything will be alright and I've just got to trust myself and believe in myself. I could feel it was going to happen.

“Hanging out with the other athletes who are also my friends up there and listening to my music also helped me get ready for the run.”

Mia Brookes’ crucial life advice from Jamie Anderson

Perhaps part of Brookes’ calm mentality was down to the inspirational words of another slopestyle star.

The British prodigy lists USA’s two-time slopestyle Olympic gold medallist Jaime Anderson as her favourite snowboarder, and someone that has helped her career both on and off the snow.

“Jamie has been my hero for a while now because of what she's achieved, her mindset, and how she deals with stressful competitions. Whatever the environment, she always just seems to be really chilled out and really calm,” Brookes said.

“Her riding is also insane and she's achieved so much, constantly pushing boundaries and learning new tricks. What she has achieved is amazing and if I could make my career like her I would be so grateful.

“I met her maybe a few years ago and it was literally a dream come true. She gave me a letter saying be grateful and happy and you'll always do well in whatever you're doing. I actually put that above my bed and I just make sure that I take advice from it every day.”

Mia Brookes: Changing perceptions for British Snowsport

It’s fair to say that Great Britain isn’t a major competitor when it comes to snowboarding, with snowboard cross rider Charlotte Bankes winning the nation’s first Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships gold medal in 2021.

But that may all be about to change with the emergence of Brookes, who won her nation’s first slopestyle world title and will be revered as a role model to thousands of kids wanting to follow in her footsteps.

“I can't imagine that anybody would look up to me like the way that I would look up to Jamie Anderson. It's pretty crazy to think that I could be someone's hero” she said.

“Being the first woman to do the 14 really stood out for everyone today.

“It definitely feels pretty insane to say I've made his history for GB, and I hope it’s one of many victories.”

Back to school

It is strange to think that the women’s snowboard slopestyle world champion is still in school.

While most other gold medallists at the 2023 World Championships in Bakuriani will celebrate before heading home for a break or to the next stop of their respective World Cups, Brookes will be brought back to Earth with the reality of her impending GCSE exams in the United Kingdom.

“It works pretty well as when I’m away I do online tutoring, and I can catch up with the classes that I’m meant to be doing in school pretty quickly. I've got a few days off but I think my mum will probably be on the phone trying to get some school work!”

Hard-working, humble, and supremely talented, Brookes currently has her life in balance. Asked if she has her own favourite mantra or saying to live by, she is quick to fire back:

“I don't, I just get up in the morning and listen to Metallica and go snowboarding. That's about it!”