POWER ON PORTRAITS w / Valentino Guseli
Fresh off a whirlwind Winter Olympics campaign, mophie ambassador Valentino Guseli reflects on the moments that defined the experience - from a last-minute Big Air call-up to landing in the finals, to pushing through in the halfpipe against one of the most competitive fields ever. After months of relentless travel, training, and pressure, the post-Games period offered a rare chance to reset, recharge, and take it all in. We find out what he’s learned, what’s driving him, and what it means to Power On.
How important is it to switch off after something as intense as the Olympics?
It was so important to re-charge the batteries post the Olympics; to be honest, I was really hanging for a break from competition. Because I only had the one World Cup season to qualify for the Games (usually two, but I tore my ACL), I was on the road with very heavy training and competition from mid-September. We were on a mission, which was a lot of fun, but it’s a long, intense time without a break.
After the Games my mum, dad and sister went to Laax for a few days and hit the park as a family, which was a lot of fun. Then we flew home to Dalmeny (Australia), it was only for 6 days, but I just surfed every day and spent time switching off. After that, it was back on the road for training and the last handful of comps for the season, first Japan and then Europe. Keeping busy is a good way to avoid the post-Olympic blues!
Now that you’ve had time to step back, how do you look at your overall Olympic campaign?
It was a pretty great time! I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it. Although I didn’t achieve everything that I set out to, I still put down some riding that I was quite proud of and had some incredible moments that I’ll remember forever.
You got a last-minute call-up for Big Air—what was going through your mind when you got that opportunity?
I was so stoked but also very anxious to make it work. I saw it as a massive opportunity and the only thing running through my head was to just do my best and give it a crack! I landed the best tricks I’ve ever done in a Big Air competition that night to make the final and it was a big highlight of not just the Olympics for me, but my career as well.
You went from call-up to making the final—how do you reflect on that experience now?
The moment that I landed my last trick (the switch back 19) was one of those euphoric moments we’re lucky to experience as an athlete – the pleasure at full max, crazy crowd atmosphere, knowing that you’ve done all the work and then executing in front of the world… nothing better. Just ecstatic pride and excitement about what you’ve just done.
Backing it up in the halfpipe and finishing 5th, what does that result mean to you?
To be honest, I was stoked to put down a run in that final. Many have said that that half-pipe field and the level of competition was the best of all-time. And after blowing my first two runs, to get that 3rd one down felt great! Last Olympics I got 6th, so this is one place better, hopefully I can skip up a few places in the next one and land myself on the podium.
Pre-games (and pre-injury) your goal was to compete in 3 different disciplines in the games. Looking back now, are you happy with how it all played out?
My goal was absolutely to compete in all three*, unfortunately, I couldn’t make that happen, but I can say that I went for it and left nothing to chance. Making finals in a pipe and a big air event at the same Olympics is an achievement I’m quite proud of.
(*Watch Stay Powerful Stories with Val Guseli here - the prequel to the Winter Olympics.)
What’s the biggest takeaway you’re carrying forward from this experience - Do you feel like you’ve unlocked something new in your performance or mindset?
Sometimes things can just click at the perfect time.
Sounds corny but - never say never, no matter how far behind you might feel like you are, something miraculous can happen just when you need it to.
I’ve relearned this concept throughout my career but never as dramatically as in the big air qualis at the games.
What does 2026 hold for you? What excites you most about what’s ahead?
It’s time to keep getting better at snowboarding and have as much fun as possible doing it. Also, surfing as much as I can when I get home. Wanna get air revs on lock. I’m also really keen to keep getting better on the guitar! I’m excited for many more fun times ahead in all aspects of my life.
Finish the sentence: I Power On because…
I power on because I want to live an awesome life full of shredding, not just on the snow, or the surf or the guitar - but in every way imaginable.
Shop Val's fav product here.
Olympic Photo credits: OWIA (Chris Hocking)
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