Hayden Meikle: Where are you right now and what are you up to?
Byron Wells: I am in Wanaka. Hanging out and waiting for all the comps to start.
HM: What do you rank as your top 4-5 achievements in freeskiing?
BW: Second in the Dew Tour halfpipe 2012, fourth in Olympic test event 2013, third in the Dew Tour halfpipe 2011, third in the Euro Open 2011, fifth at Euro X Games 2010.
HM: What's your world ranking right now?
BW: I am ranked 10th on the AFP World Tour at the moment. I would have been higher but I have missed a few events this year.
HM: Has the wider public's perception of freeskiing changed over the years?
BW: I think freeskiing has become more popular over the past five years. Especially in New Zealand. There are new kids getting into it every year.
HM: What was your reaction when you learned freeskiing would be included in the Winter Olympics?
BW: I was pretty stoked. It has always been a dream of mine to go to the Olympics.
HM: Have you been to Sochi?
BW: I went to Sochi this year for the Olympic test event. The place is crazy, to say the least. The ski resort would be ranked in my top five places to ski. It's amazing.
HM: Is an Olympic medal a realistic goal for you?
BW: My goal has always been to win a gold medal. All I can do is ski my best there and make sure by the time I get there, I have done everything I could have building up to the games.
HM: What do you think of the Winter Games concept?
BW: I love having major events in New Zealand. The Winter Games has really helped with bringing most of the international competitors to New Zealand. It is always a really well-run event and I'm looking forward to seeing it grow.
HM: What will the quality of competition be like?
BW: I think it will be a very high-level competition as most of the international guys will be down here for it.
HM: Any favourite new tricks you have been trying out?
BW: I have a few new tricks that I am working on but you will need to wait to find out. Ha, ha.
HM: What about injuries. You've had a few in recent years. Run me through them.
BW: I tore my ACL in 2011. I have broken my back three times. And I've had too many niggles and tweaks to count.
HM: Most of us can't comprehend doing what you do on skis. Do you ever doubt yourself? Get scared?
BW: I never try anything I don't think I can do. What I do is calculated risk. You just need to hope that your calculations are right before dropping in. Most of the tricks these days are terrifying. I guess I just try to put that in the back of my mind and focus on what I can do to land the trick.
HM: If you're listening to an iPod before an event, what sort of music is playing?
BW: I change my mind all the time. Mostly hip hop but every now and then I enjoy some house or some Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan.
HM: I hear you play the guitar. What's your go-to song?
BW: Ha, ha. I'm not very good. I love learning Johnny's or Bob's songs. Right now I love Hurt (Johnny Cash) or Blowin' In The Wind (Bob Dylan).
HM: And you fly helicopters?
BW: I do. I love flying. It's the most complicated thing I have ever tried but once you get it, it's like riding a bike. I have my private pilot's licence and am currently working on my commercial pilot's licence.
HM: What is the dynamic like between the Wells brothers? Do you hang out? Are you ultra-competitive?
BW: Jossi and I are best friends. We do everything together. We are a very competitive family. It even comes down to who has had the worst injury. It makes for some very interesting dinner conversations.
