Brendan NEWBY

MISMATCHED SKIS
Skied on mismatched skis at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, after breaking one at a qualifying event at Mammoth Mountain. Then on the first day of training in Pyeongchang, he broke one of the skis he intended to use in competition. A Swiss skier offered to loan him a pair, but the bindings didn't work, so he just threw on the mismatched skis and made it work. (deseret.com, 20 Feb 2018)

SKIING FOR IRELAND
Was born in Ireland to parents from the United States of America (his father was an economics professor at the University of College Cork). He may not have considered competing for Ireland if he hadn’t known another Park City resident who’d done it and if he hadn’t lived in a community that hosted the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games, which he attended as a spectator. Living in Park City, Utah, “It probably helped that you could throw a snowball with your left hand, with your eyes closed, and hit an Olympian. They’re everywhere, and that definitely made it feel more real. And then the 2014 Games roll around, and our sport is part of it, that definitely made it a goal.”

One of the reasons he chose to compete in ski halfpipe for Ireland is to promote the sport and show that it is more accessible than it looks, as the tricks the top riders are throwing can be very intimidating. (deseret.com, 20 Feb 2018)

BEING AN OLYMPIAN
Emailed the Irish Olympic Committee, sent them some video, and was invited to compete for them. “To be Ireland’s first-ever freestyle skier and first-ever halfpipe skier, I didn’t think it would happen. For the rest of my life, I’m an Olympian. And it’s something I’ve wanted my entire life. So to have it actually happen, I can’t even put it into words.” (deseret.com, 20 Feb 2018)

PRE-RACE QUIRK AT PYEONGCHANG 2018 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
He used a special technique to prepare himself mentally: “Our Irish team slogan out here is 'dinna (dinner) time!' I was just yelling that out loud because the more you can distract your brain from thinking about it and getting in your head. the easier it is! (independent.ie)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

With his participation in PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, he became the first athlete to represent Ireland in freestyle skiing. Initially missed out on qualification after finishing outside the top-30, but a late injury from another athlete saw him earn a late call-up.

Competed at three World Championships, with his best finish of 18th in 2019 in his hometown of Park City, UT (USA).

Broke into the World Cup top-15, finishing 13th in the halfpipe in 2017 at Secret Garden.