Mercedes Nicoll
Mercedes Nicoll interview: “It holds an amazing edge, has the right amount of pop for not only the halfpipe but riding anywhere and having fun all over the mountain. ”
Four-time Olympian Mercedes Nicoll on her Drake DFL snowboard, the Northwave Drake Devine boot and the Northwave Drake Jade binding.
Mercedes Nicoll
Mercedes Nicoll interview: “It holds an amazing edge, has the right amount of pop for not only the halfpipe but riding anywhere and having fun all over the mountain. ”
Four-time Olympian Mercedes Nicoll on her Drake DFL snowboard, the Northwave Drake Devine boot and the Northwave Drake Jade binding.
“For bindings, it’s all about comfort. Lightweight with some flexibility in the highback.”
By Matt, November 2018
Mercedes Nicoll is an Olympian.
Okay, so as intros go that’s a bit lazy.
Appropriate though, because for this seasoned Olympian the three letters OLY that proceed her name are befitting to say the least.
Mercedes has represented Canada in every Winter Olympics back to Turin 2006. She has worn the five rings not just once, not twice or even three times – but four times in total.
Actually I’ve known Mercedes for a little while now and after Pyeongchang 2018 I asked her if she would consider a fifth Games. She did suggest that four was probably enough but you know what, the word ‘no’ didn’t emerge from her lips so approaching 2022 I might just ask the question one last time.
Not that it matters. Ignoring the Olympics, Mercedes Nicoll is one of the most competition-experienced and bemedalled halfpipe snowboarders on the Canadian women’s team. She is a five-time Canadian National Champion and on the World Cup circuit has scored six bronze and two silver podium finishes.
In other words Mercedes has done it all and while she might not have medalled at an Olympics, at Pyeongchang she turned in a performance worthy of a five rings champion.
If you remember the Sochi 2014 Games you’ll probably recall the horrific warm-up crash Mercedes suffered where she caught a lip on the descent from a backside 900. Suffering damage to her hip, ribs, right eye socket and head, she had difficulties walking, experienced vision problems, was unable to drive a car for a while, and lived under the weight of depression.
Flipping the bird to all of those setbacks, Mercedes headed to Pyeongchang for the 2018 Games and landed that backside nine, proving one thing: the Olympics is about more than just medals. Sure, those gold, silver and bronze discs might be the jewels in the crown, but the hat itself comes in many colours – like combat-fatigue green and brown. Fighting colours.
Because Mercedes Nicoll is queen of the battle, bastion of the halfpipe warzone.
Alright, alright – I’ve got carried away, we’re talking sports arenas for goodness’ sake, not the field of battle. Moreover I’ve put an image in your mind now of someone a bit frightening haven’t I? Well honestly, nothing could be further from the truth. See, all smiles:
Sure, there are cords of steel in there somewhere but on the benign surface Mercedes is all smiles and enthusiasm. And that is a character trait she expresses freely not only for her public, but for the equipment she makes such accomplished use of.
Bindings, boots, board: the Northwave Drake setup has been the vehicle of choice for a journey that has taken Mercedes around the world and into the most testing halfpipe arenas in winter sport competition.
Starting at the business end:
“I use the Drake DFL 148. Why – because it’s so responsive. It has camber, holds an amazing edge, has the right amount of pop for not only the halfpipe but riding anywhere and having fun all over the mountain. It’s a directional twin, It’s got great pop with the classic camber so you can ollie over anything!”
Mercedes is a Drake girl through and through and talking to her it’s clear the DFL is where her preference lies, even if it isn’t the only snowboard in her arsenal.
“If I’m just out and about riding Whistler, I’d be on either the DFL or the Misty, double camber board for some fun and something different.”
The Misty is Drake’s go-anywhere women’s board, as much at home in the halfpipe or on rails as it is laying long, fast turns out on the pistes.
We aren’t here just for the Mercedes Nicoll snowboard of preference, but the whole Northwave-Drake package.
“For bindings, it’s all about comfort,” she says. “Lightweight with some flexibility in the highback. Personally I like a highback that I can flex a little with my own hands. If it’s too stiff I know I won’t achieve the style and feel I want while riding. A good comfortable ankle strap goes a long way. The Drake Jade is my go to binding that brings all of these luxuries together to allow me to have the ability to ride smoothly. I also will spend the time to make some personalized changes to fit my small feet – luckily the straps can be adjusted without a tool!”
The online snowboard retailer snowboards.com have the following to say about Northwave Jade bindings (click if you’re interested in perusing their extensive range of snowboard equipment – they are an affiliate of mine and I receive a small commission through any purchases made via that link):
“The Northwave Jade Bindings make it evident that they have been specifically designed for women. An amazing and differentiating style set, that they knew would grab the ladies attention, is coupled with exceptional performance that ensures these bindings are an easy choice season after season. The Light Frame Ladyfit high-back is perfect for added control and consistency and is optimized for women riders. Combine that with the Mg12 Magnesium buckles and it is clear why the Northwave Jade Binding is a fan favorite and why they are one of the best products out there.”
Moving up we come to one of the more popular boots on the market today.
“I ride the Devine boot,” Mercedes says. “It’s got quick lace, so I don’t kill my hands lacing up my boots. It’s not too stiff, but not too soft with no need to break them in, so my feet are happy the whole time!”
snowboards.com describe the Devine as follows:
“With a look and feel that is royalty-esque, the Northwave Devine SL Women’s Snowboard Boots are perfect for the all-mountain freestyle queen. The Speed Lacing System allows for the adjusting of two different boot areas, the lower zone and the upper zone, separately for a dialed-in fit. The TF3 Liner with Thermo-Fit Foam shapes itself to your foot using your natural body heat or by baking them in your local shop’s oven. The TF3 Liner is anatomically designed and reinforced with injected memory foam for better retention and comfort for the feet. The 540- Degree Heel Retention System works when the more the lace is pulled the more power will be transferred in the ankle area, increasing performance and foot stability. The Hypershock outsole is all about comfort and absorbing impact, while reducing the overall weight. With all of these feature packed into one lightweight boot, all fellow riders shall bow down to the queen.”
My thanks to Mercedes Nicoll snowboard legend and motivator. She is an Olympian and everything that entails, because airborne and inverted or down on the flat, Northwave Drake has been a constant feature, at her feet throughout.
If you’d like to know more about the Mercedes Nicoll snowboard of choice, and the rest of her kit, she has conveniently set up a Pinterest board for all her gear. Have a look but be warned, it’s enticing.
Or to find out more about Mercedes Nicoll’s snowboard, boots and bindings on the Northwave website:
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