Speed Dating with a Slopestyle Superstar
If you don't know Nicholi Rogatkin, then you might want to climb out from underneath the rock you're living under and do a little Googlin' and Youtubin' because Rogatkin is a superstar and a slope style monster.
We don't necessarily recommend that you watch the video from his insane crash at Red Bull Rampage 2015 but if you do, be warned...it's a doozy but he walks away like a champion.
Nicholi's 2019 season has come to an end having competed in the Red Bull Joyride, the FMB Gold Event in Spain, the Backwoods Jam in BC, Black Sage Fest and Proving Grounds in the US and the Audi Nines in Germany.
He wasn't able to defend his title at Joyride, finishing a respectable fourth this year. Last year he took the victory in style when he nailed his second run of the day with a score of 96.50 and secured the Triple Crown of Slope Style. This means he won not one, not two, but three of the four Crankworx stops during the 2018 season!
All of this is amazing, but even if Nicholi wasn't winning everything in sight, he would still be family. "Why do I still sponsor Nicholi?" said Brad Waldron, CEO and Lead Engineer. "It’s not because of all of the amazing wins and titles. Nicholi has been part of the Kali family since he was 12 and we've witnessed him become this incredible athlete who is pulling off the sickest and craziest tricks. We want to make sure he has the best protection possible to continue killing it in the sport."
We want to shout from the mountain tops how proud we are of Nicholi, but we also wanted the Kali Krew to get a little glimpse behind the mask of who Nicholi Rogatkin is in everyday life.
So without further ado...Speed Dating Questions with Nicholi Rogatkin.
What is the first bike you remember riding?
My first bike was a tiny Huffy BMX which my dad got me to ride some dirt jumps near our house.
What three words would your best friend use to describe you?
Energetic, Ridiculous and Optimistic
What are the last three albums you listened to?
Travis Scott ASTROWORLD
Juice World Goodbye & Good Riddance
Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Metro Boomin / Travis Scott / 21 Savage)
If you could have one super power what would it be? And would you use it for good or evil?
Flying! Would use it for good, good superheroes always get all the glory.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still riding, still pushing myself and pushing the sport to improve every day.
Toilet paper over or under?
No preference
Is winning fun?
Very fun. I’ve always been competitive since I was little, so winning is always the best feeling.
You could take any helmet you want to the big dance, but you continue to take your Kali. Why?
I’ve ridden in a Kali helmet since I was 13-years-old. So first of all when I put a Kali helmet on I feel right at home in my comfort zone ready to go crazy. And Kali has consistently proven that they have the safest helmets out there, I’ve had some serious slams over the last 10 years and my helmet has saved me over and over again. Just check my Rampage crash or my crash from Crankworx Innsbruck this year. The fact that I can take slams like that and have no knock out or concussion is why I continue to take Kali to the big dance.
What's one thing nobody knows about you?
I was a serious piano player as a kid.
If you have friends coming over for dinner what would you cook?
Taco Tuesday! A big taco buffet, for sure.
If you could have one person over for dinner, who would it be?
This is a tough one. Haha! Not sure whether to choose a hot model or actress or someone I looked up to as a kid, like Dave Mirra.
What was your favorite television show as a child?
Spongebob
What is one thing you are afraid of?
Wind, while riding...wind is the worst when trying to jump.
Burrito, Pizza or Filet Mignon?
Filet for sure
Peanut Butter, smooth or crunchy?
Crunchy
What motivates you?
Inspiring the future generation motivates me the most. I’m lucky to have young riders who see me as an idol, so the desire to inspire them is where my biggest motivation comes from.
What is your favorite movie?
American Pie
What is your spirit animal?
Something like a Wild Boar. I think.
What do you think your younger self would think or say if he knew you would become who you are today?
I think young me would be stoked. I always dreamed of being a pro bike rider since I was little and right now I’m fully living that dream.
Is there a story your parents tell about when you were younger that makes you cringe?
My parents always have so many cringe stories about me, and they both have heavy Russian accents, so it’s funny when they tell them. There’s not one story in particular but they have some good ones for sure.
What does an ideal day in Nicholi Rogatkin's life look like?
Contest days for me are ideal days. I wake up focused and motivated, try to stay on point all day and perform. And then when it’s over the vibes are so relieved, so pumped up and a big epic dinner or some partying after is always a lot of fun!
Photo Credit: Scott Serfas/Bartek Wolinski/Sebastian Marko