At the 2017 Ski and Snowboard Show in London we had a chance to speak to some elite athletes from Team GB! This included the Freestyle and Slopestyle brother/sister duo, Mike and Madi Rowlands! As many of us know, family ski holidays are great and make for amazing memories. We were therefore intrigued to see if these two were still able to enjoy their times together on the slopes, or if their competitiveness made for a sibling rivalry on the pistes. Read on to get an insight into what it’s like for these two to both be in Team GB together.

What’s it like to have your brother/sister compete with you in Team GB?

Mike – It’s quite good, probably because we are quite close as brother and sister and get on better than most.

There is a bit of competitiveness though, especially when friends ask who’s the better skier? They always think her, because she went to the Sochi Winter Olympics and I didn’t because I was too old. It does get a bit annoying from people outside of sport. Overall it’s pretty good.

Madi – Yeah it’s alright. As we travel a lot together we kind of have to be friends. I wouldn’t say there’s much bad about it, but sometimes you just don’t want your brother there!

What is it like for your parents to take you away on a ski holiday?

Madi – Everyone in our family are very keen skiers and so they took us away when we were around 2 years old and we went out on plastic skis and they just pushed us down the slopes and let us get on with it.

They used to really enjoy it but now because we’re better skiers than them I think the fun might have worn off! Now they have to try and keep up with us rather than the other way around. 

Mike – Yeah, even our Nan and Granddad are keen skiers. They’re around 75 now and they still come skiing with us and blast around the mountain. It’s amazing to see.

Obviously it’s been quite good for them to see us progress at different stages as they were the ones who introduced us to skiing. At one point my Granddad was teaching us how to ski and now we’re representing the country, it makes him incredibly proud!

What’s the best thing about one another? 

Madi – I’m Funnier!

Mike – … and clearly very modest too. I have to say the best thing about Madi… We’ve got very similar music tastes so if she finds a good song that she likes, she’ll share it with me. That’s probably the best thing about her. I’m surprised Madi hasn’t said the fact that I drive.

Madi – Oh yeah, he drives! We’re not really in the country that much though so he doesn’t give me lifts that often.

What’s the funniest memory of a ski holiday or skiing event that you’ve had with one another?

Madi – One day in the French Alps, it was a great powder day and so we were skiing down this black run and we decided to go off piste. Mike ended up getting stuck in a tree upside down. I couldn’t help myself, I was dying with laughter.

Mike – Yeah, I went a bit too fast over a bump and just ended up airing into the top of a tree. I was hanging from my feet and couldn’t reach up to my bindings to unclip myself. I was stuck there for 15 to 20 minutes and when I finally got out I’d found out they’d skied off and left me!

Every trip has its up and downs but each trip has its golden moments so there are quite a lot to choose from. We’ve definitely had some fun times skiing!

Let’s talk sibling rivalries – Can you name one thing ski related that you’re better at?

Mike –  One thing I am better at than Madi is backflips. There is only one time of the year when she’ll do backflips and that is at the London Ski and Snowboard Show. I’ll backflip anything. 

Madi – Uh. I’m better at the social side of skiing? Does that count?

What’s something ski related that annoys you about the other?

Madi – He’s very cocky. Just with skiing in general, he thinks he can do everything… and then he goes and throws it.

Mike – Madi is so laid back. At training she just she just lets things unravel and sees how it goes rather than really pushing herself. It annoys me so much because she does so well and she doesn’t really put much effort into it.

Who would win in a slalom race between the two of you?

Madi – Me! I have halfpipe skis that are basically slalom skis. I win!

Mike – Me! I’m bigger and heavier, I’ll obviously go faster. I’ll sharpen my edges too.

A Huge Thanks to the Rowlands, and we were sorry not to see you competing at Pyeonchang 2018 – Fingers crossed for all your upcoming events!

So there you have it… a little insight into what its like to compete with your sibling. If this has got you thinking that its time to get your family on skis, then give us a call on +44 1202 203650 or send an email. You never know, you might end up having one or even two sport stars in your family!