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Hello! My name is Nicola Dempsey. I am a 20-year-old semi-professional snowboard cross racer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I am training with the BC Snowboard team while representing Nova Scotia. I am ranked 10th in North America with my international base ranking for the 2024/25 season being 73rd. Highlights of my last season include; Placing 2nd in Junior Nationals, 4th in the South American Cup, and placing 8th in the Junior World Championships Duos event.
I fell in love with every aspect of snowboarding to its core. Without uncertainty, it is the only pathway that has truly called to me and feels right. The satisfaction of a deep carve on freshly groomed snow or the warmth of the sun shining down on a bluebird day are unmatched feelings. There is no shortage of my need for speed. While racing, there is a certain feeling when the start gate drops and the race begins. The outside world instantly disappears and all you can feel is the race. It’s only you, the track, and your opponents. When your board and body become one you can feel the flow of speed. You’re locked in as you fight board to board with the other racers pushing yourself to the absolute limits. It is first these feelings and my pure enjoyment of the sport that drives me before any other factor. How lucky I am to be able to pursue my passion!
Last year I set 3 goals: Finish top 10 in the North American Cup Circuit and top 5 in Canadian Nationals, both goals I achieved. My third goal was to qualify for my last year at Junior World’s. I surpassed this goal and placed 8th in the Team Duos event; The best any North American team has accomplished to date. This year I am setting the goals of: Finishing top 3 in Canadian Nationals and making a North American Cup Big Final. My long-term goals are to make the Canadian National Team and someday compete in the Olympic Games!