Looking back on 2008, ahead to 2009; insight into privately-kept emotions and feelings: On the other side of competition stress, Red Bull athletes talk about their successes, dreams and plans for the future. In the spotlight: Gisela Pulido.
Apart from the results, my personal highlight this year was …
… to have appeared in Thierry Donard’s film ‘Perfect Moment’. He came to Tarifa to do film a session about me and my friends hanging out, doing what we do in seeking our perfect moment …
For me the most outstanding athlete’s performance in 2008 was …
… by the Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol. He’s just a legend in his game. One day I’d love for kiteboarding to be a big thing in the US. Right now it’s not as well known as it is in Europe. If it ever happens I’d like to be where Pau is now!
The nicest compliment I’ve ever received from a fan was …
… when a fan said I make them proud to be Spanish. What else can you ask for?
I love to dream of …
… kiteboarding becoming an Olympic sport and taking gold in my events. We’re not there yet, but kiteboarding is becoming ever more accessible with safe, learner-friendly equipment. I’m doing my bit to support the popularity of the sport here in Tarifa. I’m launching the Gisela Pulido Pro Center, which I hope will introduce many people to this amazing sport.
What my fans didn’t know about me up to now is …
… that I love to watch ‘Heroes’. It gets me dreaming about which special powers I’d have and what amazing kite tricks I could do.
The three most important things in my life are …
… my family, friends, whom I don't get to see enough of because of all the traveling, and my health. My big fear is getting injured and being unable to kite.
The greatest thing about winter is …
… Christmas. I love presents, partying and eating grapes to bring in the New Year! And of course, snow, snow, snow. Snowboarding rocks … even though it’s cold [laughs].
2009 is definitely going to be a fantastic year for me because …
… I’m very motivated. It was seriously hard to win the 2008 PKRA title. These days everyone is pushing hard to evolve their style and technical difficulty. I want to do the best I can and will be very focused on training this winter. I’d love to get to a level where I can give the boys a run for their money [laughs].
In ten years’ time I’ll be …
… a top sports journalist and extreme sports TV presenter. That's my dream, but I hold no illusions as to how hard this will be to achieve.
The craziest thing I’ve ever done is …
… apart from skydiving, which is a cool sensation, I remember kiting when I was ten years old. The waves were four times my height, and one of the waves I was surfing closed out quicker than I expected. It almost sucked me in for a full machine wash cycle. That got the adrenaline pumping!
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