Kaj Zackrisson

2004-10-29 Kaj Zackrisson is not only a kick ass skier, and since years part of the top riders of the freeskiing scene, but one of the funniest guys as well. With his dreadlocks and his big smile he’s always good for some jokes. With his friend Sverre Liliequist he knits beanies and together they created their own beanie brand: KASK.

Photo: JM Favre/NDG
Name: Kaj Zackrisson
date of birth: 11:th march -73
sport discipline: Skier
sportive achievements (titles/firsts/film etc.)
2nd place World Championships in Tignes –02
2nd place Redbull Snowthrill of Alaska –02
1st place Ultracross X-Games Aspen –03
Film
Swedish Posse & friends –02
Swedish posse override -03
Swedish posse live a little –04
Free Radicals -00 and –01
Nuit de la Glisse Perfect Moment –02. –03 – 04

best trick Fast skiing
sponsors Salomon Cebe Saab

NUIT DE LA GLISSE
a) In which way you knew Nuit de la Glisse before you worked with Thierry?
My friends were filming with some crazy French guys,

b) Is there any difference in working with NDG compared to other
productions? If yes, which?
For me it is a great fun time with a lot of crazy things happening. Also it feels that the whole crew is very proffesional up on the mountain. Of course it is cool with all the Heli flying as well.

c) What was the most beautiful / intense/ scary moment for you during the shooting?*
I did a straight line for one kilometer and it was pretty intense, it went so fast that my skis were lifting on every small bump. I really had to hold on but I was pretty close to crash anyway.
My most scary moment was when me and Sverre did a couloir together. We came in to it with good speed I was first with Sverre on my heels. In the third turn I hit a rock and made a high side over my downhill ski. I could not stop the fall and tumbled all the way down on rocks and snow. I did not brake anything but my body was really soared and my knees and back got a couple of years older. It was also really scary and it took weeks to get over it in my head, after a crash like that you ski a little more careful.

d) What does the title "The Perfect Moment" mean for you personally?*
Where a fun group out in the mountains try to find our best day in our lifes. It’s a lot of smiling going on when were out there.

e) Will we see you next year on the screen again?
Of course it will by my fourth year with Thierry next year.

Photo: JM Favre/NDG

SPORT
1) When and why did you start your sport?*
I started in Sweden when I was three years old. My mum is a former member of the national ski team, she has taught me how to ski. She was also my trainer in the skiclub until I was 15.

2) What makes your dicipline special for you?*
To ski a big line in the mountains with powder and cliffs is just a big happy dance for me.

3) Which meaning do competitions have for you?*
I can meet a lot of people from all over the world that have the same passion as me.

4) What did you learn from your sport in general?*
To see life from the bright side, and to seize the day because life is something happening while you are having a good time.
Skiing has taken me to the five continents and showed me the world, the last years I have been on the road all the time. It is special life, and super fun.

5) What did you learn about yourself?*
The best way to get rid of a temptation is to fall for it.

Photo: JM Favre/NDG

6) 3 turning points/ important moments in your carrer*
Sixteen, starting skiacademy in sweden.
Twentytwo, I went to Usa and skied on the Us pro ski tour
Twentyfive, I did my first freeride competition and skiercross and I was hooked.

7) best memory*
My first skitrip with my father we took our old Volvo 142 to the Swedish mountains. It snowed every day and it was just great, this was 1978.

8) worst memory*
When I started filming back in –99 I did a huge crash and broke my knee totally and dislocated my hip.

9) Do you take risks?*
Of course, for example when I go skiing in Usa I take the plane overthere but it has not crashed yet so I am happy for that.

10) What makes you happy?
Hang out with good friends and of course my beautiful girl

11) What scares you?
??? I don’t really know, maybe a dry winter with now snow. Small rocks under the surface of the snow, you can get bad crashes from that.

12) Which is your favorite spot for your sport? Why?
Jackson Hole whyming, it is just very good terrain and good in all kinds of weather.

13) Other sports you do
Skateboard, Golf, Dirtbike

14) How do you finance your sport?
From my partners and I am also selling beanies with my friend Sverre

15) What injuries did you have in your sport?
Three knee surgeries
One back injury
Dislocated Hip
A lot of bruises

Photo: JM Favre/NDG

WHAT IF...

16)...you would not have become a pro in your discipline ¬ what would you've done/do instead?
It was never any question I decided to be a pro when I was seven years old.

17)...you would live in a different time which?
200 years ago and be a Sami and take care of the reindeers

18)...you could be a different person who?
Batman he is cool

19)...you could change something in your past/ in your life, what?
-

20)...you would be a fruit/animal, which one and why?
Squirrel that’s just what I am a flying squirrel

FAVORITE...
21) books
Papillon Henry Cherriere
22) music
Clash, Andy Horrace, Max romeo
23) films
Pulp fiction
24) art
-
25) person in history
Ingemar Stenmark
26) hero/idol
-

Photo: JM Favre/NDG

FUTURE PLANS

27) for the near future
Ski a lot and film for Swedish posse and Nuit de la glisse. Work on the Kask beanies with Sverre

28) after finishing your active career?
Sell Kask beanies all over the world

29) What is your dream?
to keep on having a fun life, one day I would like to have wife and kids

MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
30) your relation to nature/ to the mountains
Mountain Ocean Forest what would we be without it? They are everything that gives life quality.

31) advice for young people
If you want to be a good skier find some really good friends that you ski with every day, that is so cool and fun.

32) your motto in life
You wount be wise until you been a crazy fool,
I don’t know if the translation is good but I means you cannot be a wise man if you haven’t been a crazy man.

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By: Loenni 09/01/2005 17:18

Kaj rules !!

Kaj Zackrisson

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