Q&A: Beau James Wells, NZ free skier

Beau-James Wells started skiing when he was just 2 years old. Photo / Getty Images

Q: Beau-James, you're the third of the four Wells boys, New Zealand's first family of snowsports. How old were you when you first got on skis?

I started around 2. I remember Mum and Dad holding me between their legs and me just wedging down the hill. I was pretty young so I don't really remember it, but I've never really found it that hard.

Q: You've done both to a high international standard but which do you prefer, freeski halfpipe or slopestyle?

I would rather do slopestyle because I like sliding on rails and the jumps a bit more than the pipe. A pipe is just a pipe, you know it's going to be exactly the same. With a slope course you get different rails, different size jumps and that makes it a little more interesting.

Q: Did all four of you (brothers Jossi, Byron and Jackson) have to share a bedroom when you were young?

Jossi and Byron shared a bedroom and Jackson and I did. They're classed as the big boys, we're the little boys. Apparently we're still the little boys (laughs).

Q: You were all home schooled by your parents Bruce and Stacey, so I presume you're an advocate of it?

It's really helped because when we were travelling overseas we got to go up skiing during the day so we had to do [schoolwork] at night. It just gave us lots of family time and Mum and Dad could control what we were learning. I don't really know much different because I didn't go to normal school - wouldn't want to, either.

Q: Four boys, all with the same sporting pursuits, and competing against each other. How was life around the family dinner table? Any squabbling over the last potato?

It was pretty great. We'd all just be yarning, having a bit of fun. We're not too serious but we're brothers so of course there's always a bit of competition.

Q: Having Jossi and Byron blaze a trail for yourself and Jackson must have helped ...

It's helped me with my career because I've seen what Jossi and Byron have had to go through to get there, so I'm not as blind as they were. I know what it takes.

Q: What's the best lesson you've picked up from your older brothers?

Try not to get too carried away, don't take it too seriously and you don't want to make it your whole life. You want to go out and have as much fun as you can while still having that competitive drive, but you don't want to do it that much so it's not fun any more, because that's why we're doing it.

Q: If you weren't a skier, what would you be doing with yourself?

Definitely at university, and for the sport I'd probably be doing skateboarding, something like that.

Q: A few years back you listed, in answer to who you'd give a "shout out" to, Sir Isaac Newton. Any significance?

I guess I was just learning about him at the time and thought he's the man.

Q: Cheese or chocolate?

Aww, chocolate dude!

Q: Favourite trick?

A Rodeo 5.

Q: Which is ... ?

You come in flipping in one direction with one and a half spins and a flip in between. It looks kinda cool.

Q: You were ranked No7 on the overall freeski world rankings for the 2012-13 season, and you're a big chance to qualify for the Sochi Winter Olympics next February. That, too, would be kinda cool?

I'd feel quite honoured. Going out representing your country; what better thing is there to do?

Q: Maybe not in Sochi next February, but there's a real chance all four of you could be at a Winter Olympics. How does that sound?

It'd be epic, one big family affair. Jackson's killing it. He's just turned 15 and he's taller than all of us. Crazy.