We thought we’d catch up with the World 4-Cross Champion, Jill Kintner and ask her a few questions about the Bejing Olympics, ping pong and art.

DIRT: Did you have a good Christmas? Get any good presents?
JILL KINTNER: Yeah it was good, We had snow for about an hour on Christmas morning, bunch of family, etc. I got a gps and an
iphone:) gadgets galore!

Will you be riding 4-cross this year or are you concentrating solely on BMX for the Olympics?
I want to make the US team, so that will be my priority for this year till August. After that, I will be back. I will know if I’ve made it by may hopefully.

Who do you see as your main rivals at the Olympics?
It is more about what I can do than who I am against. Everyone will be fast.

What sort of training have you been doing?
Bike riding and getting strong. Not a whole lot of bike riding currently cause of a crash awhile back, but ping pong is keeping my mental game sharp 🙂

The replica Olympic BMX Track in California, rumours are that we may have one in the U.K.

I hear you have a replica Beijing BMX track at your training facility, how is that?
It will be really amazing once it is finished…still has about another week and a half to go I think. My brother is here now also building a jump park off the back of the ramp so we will be dialled, have some fun, and be well prepared for the games.

Check out the start ramp, it’s a monster

How disappointed were you at losing the overall World Cup last year?
More than you will ever know. It was a rough year for me, had a lot of personal losses outside of racing that took their toll. With 5 races, it was crucial not to have any mistakes, and unfortunately I gave too many races away.

What are your plans for 2009? (I know it’s a long way off!)
Shred as hard as possible, I’ll be faster, stronger , and smarter. 2009 I will enjoy every minute being in the mountains again against some tough competition.

How is your art work coming on? Any new projects?
I only really do it when the mood strikes me. my sketch books are kept up pretty well, and website stories now and again, but I should do more.

For more news in the Kintner world check out her website.

Jill Kintner Olympic BMX