Lydia Lassila Interview (Brink Vault)

Another 'vault' interview today will bring you a familiar voice as we go back to 2013 to speak with Australian Aerial champion Lydia Lassila! You heard us mention our past interview in our recent chat with her, so here it is in full for you to enjoy!

Follow Lydia on Instagram

Visit Lydia's website

---

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Please note this is an automated transcript that may contain errors.

BEN WATERWORTH: You're tuned in to Off The Podium, an Olympics podcast, opening that vault once again from our parents' show The Brink, going through our classic interviews from Olympians, people involved in the Olympics, people who have won medals, have competed, and everything else in between. And you're going to hear a familiar voice, actually, on the show today. Lydia Lassila, you're probably thinking, you've already had Lydia on the show, Ben, we don't need to hear from her again. Well, I teased in that episode that we did speak to her previously. That was back in the year 2013 on The Brink. So we thought, you've heard her new interview that we gave you only a few weeks ago. Why don't I bring you the old one? So this is Lydia Lassila's chat I had with her back in 2013. Just to kind of bridge the gap from what you heard a couple of weeks ago to what we initially did with that chat when I first spoke to her.

BEN WATERWORTH: Lydia Lassila is a reigning Olympic gold medallist in the Women's Freestyle Aerials, and is one of our best hopes for a medal in the Sochi Winter Olympics in February next year. I spoke to Lydia about her preparation for the Games, and just why she loves cheese so much. Lydia, welcome to the brink.

LYDIA LASSILA: Thank you for having me.

BEN WATERWORTH: The Olympics, as I said, are February next year, less than four months away. Can you believe it? I mean, how's the preparation going for the Games?

LYDIA LASSILA: I know, I think we hit 100 days today, so it's really coming close now, and preparation has been great, actually. I've had a really good year. I feel like I'm right where I want to be at the moment, which is a good place to be. So, all on track for now, and it just matters staying healthy and picking the boxes along the way.

BEN WATERWORTH: Well, given that, of course, you're going into these Olympics as the reigning champion, I mean, does that affect the mindset going into your fourth Olympics as the reigning champion rather than chasing your first medal?

LYDIA LASSILA: I think it's nice to have already achieved, you know, an Olympic gold. But I think before I wanted it, it really confused me. And I just wanted it so badly. Whereas now, you know, I'd love to win another gold medal. But it's just nice to know that I've already got one if all fails.

BEN WATERWORTH: Well, no Australian, of course, of an Australian Winter Olympian has ever won back-to-back gold medal. So, I mean, does this possibility to become the first athlete to do that give you that boost to try and achieve that second one?

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, I haven't really thought about, you know, that. I mean, I'm always trying to break my records and also, I guess, leave my mark on the sport. So that's really my goal. And if I can do that, then it's probably going to mean I'll break a couple of other records along the way as well. But, you know, to be honest, in our sport, in freestyle skiing, in that discipline, no one, let alone Australian, has ever back-to-back won a gold medal. So it says it's very difficult to do, but, you know, it's definitely not impossible.

BEN WATERWORTH: Well, Australia has had such a great success in the sport. I mean, not just at the Olympics, but of course, at World Cups and other events over the last 15 years or so. I mean, have you found that you've got a lot more people coming up to you, asking how to get involved in the sport? And is the sport really taking off a lot more now?

LYDIA LASSILA: Look, it is. It would help if we had, you know, a national training centre. That's the one thing that's just holding us back at the moment. You know, our athletes have to invest their time and energy and travel overseas rather than training in Australia. So we really need a national training facility desperately. And, you know, that's something that I initiated after the last Olympics. But unfortunately, we haven't got very far and we're trying to make that happen still. And I think that is a massive game changer that will bring more athletes to the sport and give us Australians a chance to showcase our talents, you know, on home soil rather than miles away in another country.

BEN WATERWORTH: Given that we obviously have these limited facilities in the country, and as you said, a lot of people, you could go overseas really for the opportunities. I mean, what do you think it is about Australia that we've had so much success in this sport?

LYDIA LASSILA: Look, I think there's been a lot of thought into our programs, you know, and where our athletes train and where we place ourselves and which coaches that we employ to, you know, take our programs to the next level. So I think a lot of other countries that have the facilities and, you know, have snow and have an abundance of coaches sometimes perhaps maybe get a bit complacent, whereas we really need to target, you know, the best coaches, the best facilities. And then when we do go overseas and train somewhere, we're solely there for that purpose without distraction to train and focus on our sport. So in a lot of ways, you know, our methods have been really great. Obviously, they've worked, but it is a difficult lifestyle, you know, living out of a suitcase for nine or ten months of the year. So it would be great if we could centralise it and bring it back to Australia and give our athletes a chance to also, you know, to do other things like education and other career options as well as being professional athletes. And I think in the end, that will give us a lot more balanced athletes and a better society.

BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah. How do you try and sell the sport to young people when you speak to them? And is there a specific recruiting tool that you do have to try and attract people to the sport?

LYDIA LASSILA: I think, you know, this sport isn't for everyone, and it's an element of risk that obviously must be taken. But I think the thing that I try and push towards younger athletes wanting to get involved is that, you know, it's a very measured risk. And we follow, you know, good protocol and good safety measures to kind of progress athletes when they're ready to move on. And we try and make something, you know, that looks so spectacular and difficult, we break it down into small steps. And that's how athletes learn, you know, just step by step and breaking down a big difficult skill into small achievable steps. And that's the best kind of progression, the safest kind of progression in the sport.

BEN WATERWORTH: Do you have the medal, Lydia, in a specific place? I mean, is it something that you like to look at every now and then and think, well, look, that's all been worth it?

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, look, it's a nice reminder to walk by it every day. It's just sitting on my shelf, actually. But, you know, it's something, obviously, that's very dear to me. It's something I wanted for so long, and in it, you know, just looking at it, there's a lot of history in there. There's a lot of memories and moments that, you know, that come flashing back to me, not just at the Olympics, but what I went through to obviously get there and get through injuries and stay strong. So it's really important for me, and I like to reflect on it. It gives me courage and it gives me a boost of confidence and makes me grateful, really, for what I've achieved already and for the opportunity that I have, you know, to pursue something that I love to do. So it's a great place to be and obviously, you know, a treasure that will never lose its shininess.

BEN WATERWORTH: I don't think I'd ever want to take it off. I think I just want to wear it all the time. But look, everyone, Olympic gold medal.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, I think I was like that at first. It did kind of live in my handbag for about a year.

BEN WATERWORTH: So just at the shops. Oh, here's my money. Oh, what's this gold medal? Oh, do you want to have a look?

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, exactly.

BEN WATERWORTH: Now, Sochi seems like a very unique place, of course, for the Winter Olympics. I mean, right in the Black Sea, very diverse climate. Have you had much of a chance to check out the venues at Sochi? And are you looking forward to having this unique game?

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, we had the opportunity to compete there last season and got to compete at the Olympic venue, which is absolutely fantastic. You know, it's a really unique set up. It's basically built, you know, this mountain resort and hotel villages just have sprung up overnight, basically. So a lot of money has been invested. And things are looking really on track there. The facility that we're competing at is kind of like the freestyle park. And so you've got the outrun of the aerial skiing and the mogul skiing and the slope style and the halfpipe all kind of merging into one finishing area. And at night time, when all the lights are on, it's just, you know, it looks magical. So I think it's going to prove to be a really great backdrop and a great city to host, you know, these Olympics and a very memorable time. And I haven't had a chance to explore Sochi as much in the city, but I've heard it's quite a moderate temperature down there. There's palm trees and beaches. It's definitely unique. So I'm really looking forward to it. I think the Russians are going to do a great job.

BEN WATERWORTH: It's certainly something interesting that you can go skiing one moment and go relax on the beach. An hour or so later.

LYDIA LASSILA: Cooking a cocktail.

BEN WATERWORTH: It's going to make a very interesting game. After Vancouver, you did take a bit of time off. Of course, you became a mother in the meantime. I mean, how have you found travelling around the world for long periods of time, spending so much time away from your son?

LYDIA LASSILA: Look, it's really tough. I try to take Kai with me as much as I can. So I rely on the help of my husband and my mother and my mother-in-law to come away with me when they can and help look after Kai while I'm training and competing. So without their help and that support, it just wouldn't be possible. But he's a really confident and adaptive kid at the moment. He's travelled the world and he's seen so many places and he's speaking three languages. So I'm really proud of how he's coped and the adventure that we've been on. I mean, he's only two and a half. So he probably won't remember much of it, but hopefully some of it just gets imprinted in his head. And he's really on-boarding. He knows what I do. He loves to come and watch me jump. And he knows my coaches and he watches my videos constantly. So it's pretty exciting to have him around and a part of it. It's just one big ride, really.

BEN WATERWORTH: Is there a future in the sport for him, perhaps? Do you want to see him become an athlete?

LYDIA LASSILA: Oh, look, I'd like to see him in a racing car or something else, to be honest. Look, I'd love to see him be an athlete and just judging by him at the moment and the energy he's got and the coordination, he's probably on his way to becoming some kind of athlete, just a matter of what. But I don't know if I could stomach watching him flying off jumps the way I do. I don't know how my mother let me do it.

BEN WATERWORTH: Maybe you could get him to pull on a football jersey. You could play for Essendon. You'd like him watching that in the future.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, yeah, that could be an option. That could be an option. Depends what country we live in, I think.

BEN WATERWORTH: That's true. That's very true. Well, Lydia, we always like to wrap up our interviews with a set of five questions, just a bit of fun and an already funny interview. Now, these will probably be the hardest questions you will get in your entire career. So look, there's no pressure on you at all. And I expect you to think of these when you're on the slopes in Russia next year to help you win the gold medal, okay?

LYDIA LASSILA: Oh, good, good. They're going to be really motivating.

BEN WATERWORTH: Very much so. And we start off with, of course, question number one. Lydia, what is your favourite type of cheese?

LYDIA LASSILA: Definitely the... I don't know if you've tried it, but it's Meredith Vale goat cheese. It comes in a jar and it's just delicious. I put it on everything.

BEN WATERWORTH: I think I've heard of it, yes. I think we've had that answer before. But I haven't tried it yet. I've got a list. I've got like a bucket list of cheeses, which I've got to tick off slowly.

LYDIA LASSILA: I love cheese. Another one I love is called Cambazola. It's in the middle of a camembert and a gorgonzola. So not too bluey if you're not into blues.

BEN WATERWORTH: Right, yes. There's another one. I like the sound of that one. Question number two. Lydia Lassila, when it comes to toilet paper, are you a folder or a scruncher?

LYDIA LASSILA: I'm a folder.

BEN WATERWORTH: Folder.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yes. I like to keep it all neat and tidy.

BEN WATERWORTH: Yes, that's important. I need to tally up all the Olympic gold medallists we've had on this show. I think I need to create a separate results tally to see whether folding or scrunching helps you win gold more.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, let's see if there's any correlation.

BEN WATERWORTH: There might be. There might be a secret involved. Question number three. Growing up, what was your dream job?

LYDIA LASSILA: Oh, I wanted to be Nadia Comuniti, so I guess I'm doing it, just not in gymnastics.

BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, well, it's kind of like it's a type of gymnastics, in a way, on the snow.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, it is. Yeah, it is, it is. It was acrobatic, at least. I started off in gymnastics, but.

BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, that works. It works.

LYDIA LASSILA: Couldn't end up there.

BEN WATERWORTH: Well, that kind of works. Also, growing up, who was your childhood celebrity crush? Keanu Reeves, yes.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, point break.

BEN WATERWORTH: Ah, right, so not Bill and Ted, just point break.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, not Bill and Ted, definitely, and no, no, but yeah. Keanu Reeves and point break, definitely.

BEN WATERWORTH: Well, what about when he went into The Matrix and was wearing sort of the black leather and the sunglasses?

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, yeah, but I really like his kind of, maybe I was just going through a bit of a surfy era, so perhaps I like good news about that.

BEN WATERWORTH: The final question for you today, Lydia Lassila, what is your worst habit?

LYDIA LASSILA: Oh, golly, I get lost a lot. So yeah, I'm not a bad driver, but my sense of direction is just appalling. Like I'm really good in the air, like an aerial awareness, but yeah, point north, and I've got no hope. Yeah, I'm shocking.

BEN WATERWORTH: Make sure you go down the right ramp, and then you can find.

LYDIA LASSILA: Yeah, exactly.

BEN WATERWORTH: Yes.

LYDIA LASSILA: Make sure I find my way to the jump start in Sochi.

BEN WATERWORTH: Yes, well, hopefully.

LYDIA LASSILA: Otherwise, I'll have to put a GPS on myself, so that people can come and rescue me.

BEN WATERWORTH: Well, hopefully it doesn't come to that. Of course, the Sochi Winter Olympics, February next year, getting very close to that one. You can see more about Lydia on her website, of course, lydialassila.com.au, or follow Lydia on Twitter, at Lydia Lassila. Lydia, appreciate your time. Best of luck for Sochi, and hopefully, gold medal number two will come your way.

LYDIA LASSILA: Thank you very much for having me.

BEN WATERWORTH: And again, just teasing it out there, well, not really teasing, tagging. Probably the more operative word there, Benjamin, is that you can download our Lydia Lassila interview, our new one, the one that we did specifically for Off The Podium via iTunes, and same with all our old vault interviews, our new ones, everything is in between. Subscribe, like us, that's how you do us. More so like us on Facebook, rate us is what I was trying to say on iTunes, but that's how you're gonna get up to date with us. That's how you stay in touch. We like you staying in touch. We wanna keep you in touch. That's what we do here on the show. And we also have to end the episode. Sadly, that's it. Thank you for tuning in Off The Podium. We'll be back very, very soon.