Niek VAN DER VELDEN

Historical Results

Motorcycling, surfing.

Athlete

Dutch, English

2013 European Cup in Landgraaf (Slopestyle - 18th)
2016 World Cup in Alpensia (Big Air - 20th)

Sep 2021: Partially torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) and popliteus (small muscle in the back of your knee) while snowboarding. "Together with the medical team we decided not to do surgery on it and let it heal naturally. Need to give the knee some rest for the next 4-6 weeks and after that I can build things up again." (Instagram 23 Sep 2021)

Back on snow in December and at first World Cup big air event of the 2020/21 season ended in fifth, his best World Cup placement in big air of his career. "Coming up to this comp I had mixed feelings if I was ready or not since I only had three/four days on snow this season. So happy to end up fifth at my first World Cup after my injuries!" (Instagram, 5 Dec 2021)

Feb 2021: Tore syndesmosis. Back on snow in August.

Feb 2018: Fractured right upper arm during last training prior to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games slopestyle qualifications. Underwent surgery, arm fixed with a plate and a dozen screws. Was hospitalised for four days and was not able to compete in slopestyle nor in big air. Back on snow in two months after surgery. Six months later he would win silver at the junior world championships in Cardrona, New Zealand. (niekvandervelden.nl, 12 Nov 2018)

Mar 2017: Broke his left tibia in Sierra Nevada, Spain during the world championships. Returned on snow in September.

After practising gymnastics, he began snowboarding at age eight, first time on a holiday, after which he used to ride almost weekly in the indoor facility of SnowWorld in Rucphen, the Netherlands. At age 15 he was scouted by Dutch Ski Federation and moved from Nispen to Papendal, to train at the national training centre being part of the national junior team. (niekvandervelden.nl, 3 Dec 2017)

Whenever he can't practise on snow at winter resorts, he trains all year long in indoor facilities in the Netherlands. (niekvandervelden.nl, 3 Dec 2017)

Finishing sixth in slopestyle at the Park City 2019 World Championships and two fourth places at World Cup slopestyle contests (Secret Garden 2018 and Mammoth Mountain 2019). (Snowbeat TV show, 16 Dec 2019)

When he started snowboarding he looked up to Torstein (Horgmo, NOR) and Staale (Sandbech, NOR) for the style. "The way Staale rides is super sick. Now it’s a bit normal because I’ve seen him so much (on the World Cup tour) but the first time I saw him I was like 'Oh shit!', he’s here as well and I'm competing against him, it's crazy!" (Snowbeat TV show, 16 Dec 2019)

In 2017 had his hair bowl cut by teammate Casper Wolf after a bet. "He told me that a bowl cut would suit me really well, so I said 'OK, if I make it to the Olympics then I will do it.' Then I made it to the Olympics (PyeongChang 2018) and I had to do it." (Snowbeat TV show, 16 Dec 2019)

2017 Sportsman of the Year in Roosendaal.