Rebecca Sinclair

Rebecca ‘Bex’ Sinclair began snowboarding at the age of 10 and competes in the halfpipe discipline. Bex represented New Zealand at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and was so inspired and motivated by the experience that she made it her goal to podium at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

Unfortunately Bex suffered an ACL injury at the start of the 2012/13 northern hemisphere winter, just as Olympic qualifying was beginning. Following surgery and six month of rehab Bex is now back in training and even more determined to reach her goal of an Olympic podium.

Bex says she loves a challenge and this is what attracted her to the sport of snowboarding in the first place. “It takes me out of my comfort zone and is a little scary, so when I land a difficult trick or run, it’s that much more rewarding.”

Bex describes the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the Winter Olympic Games as a privilege which inspires pride and honour as well as a sense of responsibility. She says being a role model to other young athletes is an important part of her role.

Career best results for Rebecca Sinclair include placing 2nd at Snowboard halfpipe world cup Ruka, Finland, December 2013, a 4th place finish at the TTR World Championships in 2012 and 6th place at the X-Games Europe the same year. During the 2010/2011 season she placed 4th at the FIS World Championships and 6th in the US Open.

Aside from snowboarding, brains are Bex’s other interest. In her spare time she is studying a BSc Maj Psychology extramurally through Massey University and hopes to work towards a career in neuropsychology.