Sage Kotsenburg on Comeback, Confidence and the Mindset Behind a Gold Medal.
Twelve years after standing on top of the podium in Sochi, Sage Kotsenburg is back on snow after a few months out with a broken ankle sustained in Saas Fee and now healthy, hungry and riding with the same creative freedom that made him one of the most influential snowboarders of his generation he is visiting the games again.
Where Did he get His Salt Lake 2002 Jacket?
“I bought it on eBay last summer when I knew I was coming to Livigno. I had to show up in some ’02 merch — that was when I went as an eight-year-old kid. It felt full circle.”
The throwback piece nods to the moment that first inspired his love for competitive snowboarding — long before he would go on to win gold on the world stage.
Injury Update: How His Rehab Accelerated His Comeback
After four months off snow due to injury, Sage’s return has come faster than expected.
“Rehab’s been going really well. From the first surgery onward, everything was basically a green light. It was messy at the start, but the end result has been really solid.”
Originally projected to miss another month or more, Sage credits a disciplined recovery routine:
- Physical therapy consistency
- Red light therapy
- Hyperbaric sessions
- Clean nutrition
- Mental visualisation
“A lot of it was staying super positive. Visualising myself healing. I genuinely think that makes more of a difference than people realise.”
For elite snowboarders, mindset isn’t just motivational — it’s performance strategy.
Livigno’s Atmosphere: Experiencing Elite Competition Up Close
Now in Livigno, Sage is experiencing high-level competition from a different perspective.
“We’re out here with Oakley, getting to watch events — which is cool because when I competed, I never really got to just watch. The whole village vibe is buzzing. Parties everywhere, people in the streets. Everyone’s in the spirit.”
Livigno has become a key European stage for world-class freestyle snowboarding, and Sage is embracing the energy.
Riders to Watch: Rene Rinnekangas and Mark McMorris
When asked who he’s most excited to see compete, Sage highlights creativity and longevity.“Rene Rinnekangas is one of the most creative snowboarders in the world right now. We’re good friends, so I’m hyped to watch him.”
He also points to Canadian legend Mark McMorris:
“He’s still pushing it in slopestyle after all these years. That’s unreal. I’d love to see him put one down.”
It’s respect across generations — innovation meets experience.
Sage Kotsenburg on Winning Gold in Sochi
In 2014, Sage Kotsenburg won gold in men’s slopestyle in Sochi — a defining moment in modern snowboarding.
But surprisingly, he didn’t enter the event expecting to win.
“I went in confident in my riding, but I wasn’t expecting a gold. That actually helped. Some riders go in feeling like they have to win. I didn’t have that pressure — I just focused on my riding.”
That freedom — riding without fear of outcome — became the foundation of his breakthrough performance.
The Moment That Changed Everything
While the win itself was historic, the deeper impact was personal.
“Seeing how much that moment changed my life — and my family’s life — was the craziest part. Looking at my parents and knowing all the sacrifices they made were worth it… that meant everything.”
For Sage Kotsenburg, gold wasn’t just a medal. It was validation of a lifelong journey.
