07.18.02
by: Alex
EXPN.com

Australian sensation Dayne Kinnaird stormed into Cleveland a few months ago and earned himself a coveted spot in this Summer's X Games. Dayne has a unique advantage over his state-side competitors- being on the other side of the planet has kept him out of the keen eyes of the practicing ranks of U.S. riders going into X. After blowing away the riders and the fans with his over-extended "Kiss of Deaths", Dayne showed that Australia is packing some serious medal worthy talent. Dayne has healed from missing his bar grab at the peak of pulling a rodeo at the end of his run, which sent him falling to the ground without his bike. Miraculously he only suffered a broken elbow. I caught up with Dayne via telephone as he readies himself for the trip to the U.S. to compete in Summer X.

This Kiss of Death is so extended it almost needs it's own name.

In the U.S. there has been a healthy rivalry between racers and freestylers. Is it the same in Australia?

Yes. I don't think many racers gave freestyle much respect until the past year. I think when they actually try the tricks and realize how difficult it is that changes their opinion. Craig Anderson from Australia, who is racing Supercross for Yamaha of Troy this coming year was surprised at how much difficulty is involved in doing tricks. It is getting a lot more respect now.

Do many riders have ramps in Australia, or did you start doing freestyle off dirt jumps?

When I first started it was all dirt to dirt. I actually hit a ramp for the first time during competition at the extreme games. When I started my dad dug into this mountain of dirt that we had and we just tarred a portion of it for a take off. That is what I learned on. I didn't get a ramp until much later. The sport has grown a lot in Australia this year, so there are a lot more ramps now than when I started.

I have heard from some of the top riders in the U.S. that the Australian fans are just insane for freestyle, and you really seem to be one of the big rising stars. What are the big competitions like down under?

Well, now we have the Extreme Games, but mostly there are just demos. You'll have demos every weekend for 3 months, and then nothing for 4 months. The big contests like the X Games are in America, but there seem to be more demos and contests popping up down here all the time. There was just a poll done down here in a magazine asking fans to rate the most unique freestyler. Out of Jono Porter, Travis Pastrana, Carey Hart and myself they voted for me by 40%, which was really cool.

You came to the U.S. and blew us all away in Cleveland, and you are coming back to compete in Gravity and the Summer X Games. With the combination of travel and all the new tricks, is that a lot of pressure?

There is heaps of pressure but I try to keep focused. I raced from age 7 to 16 before I got into freestyle and I just try to keep things in perspective. I enjoy riding solo, which is why I think I like freestyle so much. You don't have flat out heaps of other riders and bikes to worry about after the gate drops. I don't let riding rule my life. I do it because I love it, and I don't want to get burnt out.

Eat enough Vegemite and you too can ride like this!

You have one of the sickest "Kiss of Deaths" in the business, and you rival Kenny Bartram with your combos. With all the back flipping going on, what are your plans for Summer X?

Well, I am not very smart of thinking up new tricks, and with combos I just tried to add things to existing tricks. I think doing the flip is definitely possible for me. I can do 360's and flips into water. I don't think it would be hard, you just need to have big balls.

Many riders bring their suspension with them when they travel to other countries. Do you do this, and what is it like not knowing what bike you will be riding when you get to a big event?

You don't know what you are going to get to ride. I just ride a standard bike and don't bring my suspension. I just get used to it in practice and ride it. Its pretty much all you can do.

With the limited amount of comps in Australia, how do you feel about all the travel that would be involved to ride most of the big competitions overseas?

I love home. I am an athlete and this is a business. I am confident that I can live at home and travel when I need to do a competition. I love riding first. I also love to win. I just take things one day at a time. In my book if you live it and breathe it you just burn out.

In Cleveland you went for a rodeo, and missed the bars. It was a dramatic tumble. What happened?

Yeah, I missed the bars there. I broke the end of the bone off my elbow and pulled a few muscles. I got a plate and 5 screws, but its fine now. I was in New Zealand and I did a rock solid over an 80 ft. gap and missed the bike completely. It just flew away from me. I landed pretty hard and all I did was hurt my finger. Guess drinking my milk does help!

Are there any riders that you look to when it comes to riding and improving your skills?

I don't mean this to sound arrogant, but I don't look to anyone. I have a few videos that have been sent to me, but I don't watch them. I love the sport and I want to stay and work in the business when my competition days are over. In the meantime I really just focus on what I can do on my bike. The more attention I pay to what other people are doing the less I focus on what I am doing. I set a goal to ride well enough to get to Gravity and X, and I achieved that, so I am happy.

What was your best day riding?

When I first got my ramp a bunch of guys came down and we rode from like 8 in the morning until 8 at night. I was a lot of fun. I ride with Jake Bowen, Daniel and Michael Hall all the time and that is always a lot of fun. I love to win, and I love doing competitions, but the thing that is most important to me is enjoying myself riding. As long as I can keep a focus on that and ride with my friends I think I'll do just fine.

Tell Alex who you want her next 10 questions to be with my e mailing her at alex@freestylemtx.com.

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