Biographie
American Cameron Naasz grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, and attended Saint Cloud State University to graduate in public relations. His mother owned a skate shop and at the young age of five, Naasz started playing hockey. He continued playing at a competitive level and ended up playing for Junior Gold Hockey, which was for skaters that didn't make their high school team, and winning the 2008 state championship. For the Ice Cross Downhill World Championship stop in Saint Paul in 2013, Cameron was offered a prospect pass and a spot on the start list. Cameron said he was a little hesitant at first since he hadn't been skating on a regular basis, but showed up on that Thursday for a time trial, and hasn't looked back since. No one will ever be able to take away the feeling of being the first American to win an event, as he did in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2013. In the earlier events at Niagara Falls, and in his home state of Minnesota, he had led the final races, only to get caught in the last couple of corners but that wasn't going to happen in Lausanne.
How long have you been competing in ice cross downhill?
I have been competing in Red Bull Crashed Ice for the last two seasons.
What first got you interested in the sport?
A friend of mine that worked for Red Bull told me about the event in St. Paul in 2012 and thought I would be good at the sport. I won the Mini Rookie Award given to the best newcomer to the sport and that's how it all started for me.
If there is one piece of advice that you could offer new riders, what would it be?
My advice to anyone coming into the sport would be to listen to the coaches during your first training sessions, take in as much advice as you can from the experienced riders, and watch all the best riders very closely because it's all the little things they do that save you crucial time and speed on the track.
What is your best result or favourite memory at a Red Bull Crashed Ice?
My favorite memory has to be my first win in Lausanne, Switzerland. It's my favorite because I had a couple of tough losses to one of the world's best earlier in the season and it took the knowledge I gained from my mistakes in those races to get a huge win when it counted.
Which stop on the 2014 calendar are you most looking forward to and why?
I'm most looking forward to my home race in Minnesota this season. I can't wait for it because it brings out one of the largest crowds of the year and all of my friends and family will be there to cheer me on.
Who is your favourite sportsman?
I'm a huge fan of Travis Rice. I love the way he is always looking for new and unique ways to not only progress snowboarding but action-sports as a whole.