Brad Martin was just a young buck when he competed for Canada at the 2006 Winter Games in Turino, Italy. With those Games and four more years of killing the competitive circuit under his belt, Brad has gold in his eyes once again as he gears up for 2010. While Canadian riders are generally known for their freeride and jumping skills, Brad has quietly been representing the competitive side of the sport for The Great North for years now.

After a tough summer of multi-sport training with Ronald McDonald at the McDonald's Playland this summer (check the photos and you'll get the joke), Brad is now enduring some pre-season transition riding in Saas Fee, Switzerland with the Canadian National Team. Tough life, homie! With limited Internet access Brad kept his answers to the point, often answering with questions of his own, allowing me to jump in.

So how's everything looking for 2010?
Pretty good, I hope.

What's your schedule look like leading up to the Games?
Well, things are filling up... I'm hoping to do a bit of training in Quebec to keep the powers-that-be happy, but then I have five World Cups lined up, plus the good ol' X-Games. So I'm gonna be busy, but I still like to kick it.

Will you have much time for other things, or will it be all about training?
I'm super busy nowadays with all kinds of shred stuff, but I'm gonna try and shoot some photos and get some sledding done as well.

Is it important to just get out and ride and take a break from training and competing?
Yeah, it is. I'm always gonna be down to shred in contests, but I want to get some pow turns in too!

Do you ever feel like a jock having to actually "train" for snowboarding?
Not at all, if you want to be good at anything you need to practice. Define jock?

Well I won't get into actual jock status here, but some traits of a shred jock can include: Hiking the pipe on a powder day; doing the same stock pipe run the whole season with robotic style; only learning new tricks for the judges. But for the record, I'll concede that you're no jock. But do you ever get any grief from riders who just film and never enter contests?
Nah, its cool... we all shred.

Brad in the middle, decorated in gold.

If you were putting money on someone to win gold in 2010 who would it be?
I'm laying heavy on myself. Any takers?

Is Olympic halfpipe cooler than Olympic boardercross?
Who am I to judge?

OK, I'll step in here. The answer is yes, halfpipe is cooler than boardercross. Sorry but it's not just my personal opinion, its science. Do the National Team coaches actually know how to snowboard?
Do you know Dennis Bannock? [Note: Bannock is the National Team halfpipe coach. - ed.]

Hell, yeah: One of the godfathers of Canadian snowboarding who to this day will out shred any young punk. Give us a typical snowboard-type workout for people that are interested in getting in shape for the winter.
Peak-to-Creeks. [Note: In case you don't know, this refers to a run from the very peak of Whistler Mountain all the way down to the Creekside base area. This is a legit leg-burner, people. -ed.}

Word is bond. Well, thanks for the time, Brad. My chips are stacked on you.

Here are photos of Brad from his McTraining regimen:

Basketball.

Soccer.

Mini putt.

Serious on-snow training.

On stage with Ronald.

Autograph sess with Ronnie.

Brad likes the McHaircut.

-----------------
Related:
See how Brad spent Opening Day in Ontario