Nick Dudar has felt the full impact of the financial crisis in British snowsport. With the British Ski and Snowboard Federation (BSSF) going into administration last February, it cut off vital funds for the Canadian-based snowboarder.

Born and brought up in Aberdeen where he attended Robert Gordon’s College before graduating from Edinburgh’s Napier University with a degree in Business Studies, Dudar has spent the last 11 years living in Nelson, British Columbia.

A member of the Great Britain national squad for snowboard cross, which has been an Olympic sport since 2006, Dudar has been unable to compete this year due to lack of finance.

After spending two out of three years in France with the GB squad (he missed a year after snapping his anterior cruciate ligament), he achieved sufficient points to qualify for World Cup races.

Then came the body blow of the BSSF going into administration and as the new snowboard cross season launches in Austria this month, the 33 year-old will remain in Canada.

But he is determined to get back competing on the World Cup circuit and is frustrated at the lack of financial backing for a sport that comes with considerable expense.

Fearless and wholly committed, the 6'4" snowboarder would love for big business to show the same attitude and back the GB team.

During the 2009 World Championships in Korea, he fractured three vertebrae during his second training run and was in hospital for a week and it was 11 days before he was fully mobile. After recovering at home in Canada, he was soon back on the GB team in France.

There was also an incident outside a casino where he was “sucker punched” and ended up competing in World Cup races in Argentina and Colorado last December with a broken jaw he did not know he had. 

His enthusiasm for his sport has not been diluted by the various injuries he has picked up in a hazardous sport.

“I am currently working and saving for the chance to compete in a whole World Cup season, August to April,” he outlines.

“I spend most of my free days riding in the backcountry , exploring new areas and riding new lines,  whilst staying fit and healthy using my split board. As I'm not competing, I have let my training schedule be more relaxed. 

“I intend to compete in FIS and North American Cup races to keep my points up to date. It’s an expensive sport with no sponsors or backing from the UK as you have to pay for gear, wax and travel. It works out better travelling as a group.

“I started two World Cup races in Argentina and, last December, in Telluride. It’s a big step up in terms of a real need for good coaching, because the level of riding is so high. 

“However, I thrive on the bigger courses with the best builders and shapers, and racing at this level is what it’s about. It really has helped my progression. 

“Because of my riding and social interaction, I got an invite to Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. What a show and experience! It was a mad tech course with big dangerous features.

“I think I’m the first rider for GB at boarder-cross at this event for men. I didn’t get a result but I definitely could have.  Showing up at  that event, coming from the backcountry was not the best preparation.

“So I have my World Cup start but no funding or sponsors to help pay for travel and equipment. I would love to raise some from big business.

“I’m a fun, outgoing, big-hearted Scot who feels like this is bad state for Scottish sport to be in.  After all the time, money and blood that I have put in (along with other riders), they have nothing to give back.

“It would be different if I was finishing in the top podium spots, but that is unachievable because riders of the same ability from other countries get funding and world-class coaching for representing their country and therefore have the competitive edge.”

RM

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