The French Canadian ripper has kept her successes on a down low - unlike many pros where being social media savvy is a prerequiste, but Annie Boulanger has been quietly killing it, and gaining massive respect away from the overhyped contest scene.
Here's five, not so brief, reasons wy Annie B blows our minds:
A backcountry pioneer, pushing snowboarding into the steepest, deepest and gnarliest terrain while stepping up women's representation on film hugely, Ms Boulanger is our third and final Thrilling Three - to celebrate Mazda's new Thrillseekers campaign.
1. The Quebec born, 28 year old may now be known for ripping up cornices, cliffs, slashing powder turns and dodging avalanches with the backcountry's best - but she started her career as a competitive freestyler. As a teen she moved to Whistler to focus on competing and training (filming didn't happen for females back then) - but in 2000 blew our her knee with some negative thinking:
"I was devastated, but I learned so much from that injury," she says. "I learned that 'thoughts are things.' I was afraid of blowing my knee, so that's exactly what happened. I learned to visualize, to think positively and to be smarter about the risks I take-because you can loose everything in a heartbeat."
Although, this didn't stop her: she refocused, retrained and came back for her most successful contest period ever - winning the US Open quarterpipe in 2001, and Slopestyle in 2002.
2. She was one of the first to be signed for the Nike Snowboarding team - later followed by fellow Absinthe films riders Nicolas Muller and Gigi Ruff, and is very heavily involved in the creation of the women's lines - from colour and pattern design, to full high end, functionality:
"Working with Nike has been a dream come true, seriously," she told Transworld. It was a bit scary at first to get involved with Nike, because we had no idea what we were getting into, but it really turned out to be amazing. They treat their athletes like gold, for real! They are super supportive and let us get involved with the line. I've always dreamed of designing product and they've been so keen on listening and letting me be creative. "
3. In 2003, after injuring herself at X Games and feeling discontented with competitive shredding, she gave up her shining competition career to focus on riding the entire mountain, riding and learning at home in Whistler with her flatmates Alex Auchu, Gilbert Etienne and Tremblay Etienne as well as Martin Gallant. Then, in the 2005/2006 season, Whis local legend Victoria Jealouse no less took the fledgling backcountry talent under her wing - sledging, riding and shooting daily:
"I feel really lucky that I got to spend last season with Victoria," she told Jen Sherowski of Transworld in an interview. "She's an amazing person, on and off the snow-her years of experience, all her knowledge, her perseverance, her skills, her style ... There'll never be another snowboarder like her. I make sure that I listen when she talks."
4. Still living in Whistler she was one of the first women to ride with the Absinthe Films - the most progressive cinema makers in snowboarding, and is now an integral part of one of the best and ballsiest backcountry crews on the globe, including Romain de Marchi, DCP, JP Solberg - and her new apprentice Marie France Roy. Her part in 2008's Optimistic was incredible - then 2009's Neverland stepped things up even more, despite being dogged by injuries:
"When you ride backcountry, all your skills come into play. You have to be so on it and work at it really hard. The terrain changes every day. You have to know how to ride everything, from cliffs and lines to transitions and jumps. You need so much board control and confidence, because you never know exactly what you're dropping into ... and there's no way back. The snow might be terrible-it might all slide or the cliff might be bigger than expected or the landing flat.
"Or it might just be perfect, and all those years of riding come together impeccably in that one line or drop. That's the fun of it, and when you start figuring some of it out, there're a million other possibilities that open themselves up to you."
5. Despite her long career, injuries and sponsor politics Annie still loves snowboarding - the pureness of powder without the contest hype - and maintains a zen attitude, with the utmost respect for nature, every day:
"The mountains, the view, the snow, the silence, my friends, the good energy. We're so lucky to live in such a beautiful world, and to be able to take advantage of the mountains is such an amazing feeling. Every moment out there is like gold. You've got to be on it, but at the same time, you look around and appreciate where you are and what life is giving you the chance to do."
Inspired? I sure am! Watch some videos of Annie below to see just why she's the perfect finale to her Thrilling Three - the most exciting women in surf, skate and snow right now:
Dakine's profile of their most fearless team rider:
The Trailer for Absinthe Films 2009 epic Neverland:
Her part in 2008's Optimistic:
- The Thrilling Three #2 - Surf: Maya Gabeira
- The Thrilling Three #1: Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins
- New all female snowboard film teaser: Let's Make Better Mistakes (Tomorrow)
- Video: Ellery Hollingsworth, Carissa Moore, Monyca Byrne-Wickey & Helena Christiansen create debut Nike 6.0 Women's Collection ad
- video: First Love: three girl surfers' journey to turn pro
Want to try the Mazda experience for yourself? Then enter an exclusive online competition for readers only at zoomzoomweekends.mazda.co.uk
