Bio
Mercedes Nicoll had a standout performance in her second Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010 where she posted the second-best Olympic result ever by a Canadian halfpipe snowboarder (male or female) when she finished sixth. During a training run at Sochi 2014, she fell more than 22 feet onto her hip and face. With the adrenaline flowing, she got up and competed. But she had sustained a concussion that forced her out of competitive snowboarding for two years. With a lot of patience and rehab, she returned to her board and won her fifth national halfpipe title in March 2016. She was Canada’s top-ranked female halfpipe snowboarder at the PyeongChang 2018 test event and then competed at her seventh world championships.
Nicoll represented Canada in World Cup competition since December 1999, just a couple of years after she first made the switch to snowboard from skiing. She has eight World Cup podiums to her credit and twice finished fourth in the overall World Cup standings for halfpipe (2004-05 and 2009-10). Another career highlight was her fourth-place finish at the 2010 Winter X Games Europe. Nicoll has always had the drive to make it to the next competition. That was especially important after she fell during the opening round of competition at Turin 2006. She finished 27th and knew that she needed to return to the Olympic Games. She made her fourth Olympic appearance at PyeongChang 2018.
EARLY ATHLETIC YEARS
Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia in 1983, Growing up Mercedes always marched to the beat of her own drum while trying every sport possible. Coming from a highly athletic family with a passion for winter sports, by the age of three she was skiing and figure skating.
Mercedes family relocated to Toronto in 1986, where figure skating was brought into her life. Mercedes spent most of her time skating at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club, also squeezing in time for other sports while maintaining her grades at school; swim team, softball team, track and field, ski team, you name it she tried it. Mercedes competed in figure skating and raced in alpine skiing until the age of 12. Looking for a new challenge, she tested out snowboarding.
1995 the Nicoll family moved back to the West Coast, Whistler, where skating gave way to snowboarding and Mercedes passion for speed was met. In 1996 she ditched the skates and picked up her board for good; a year later Mercedes competed locally. Local contests lead her to Jr. Nationals and Jr. Worlds, where Mercedes picked up both titles. At the age of 16 with her independent nature she found it essential to gain personal sponsorship along with summer jobs to fund herself, not relying on parental sponsorship. Not always an easy road, dealing with injuries, travel, keeping up with school, stress and funding battles, to keep doing what she loves: competing.
COMPETITIVE SNOWBOARDING/WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES:
Mercedes never dreamed of going to the Olympics, but in 2001 her sights were set on a new path and goal. Being a very competitive person, her ambition, passion and drive enabled Mercedes to compete in 6 Winter X Games and outstanding 4 Winter Olympic Games, with her best result, 6th at the 2010 Vancouver Games and 4th at the 2010 Euro X Games.
Mercedes has accomplished a great deal; her most memorable results are;
- 4th at Euro Winter X Games 2010
- 6th at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games
- 5x Canadian National Champion
- 8 World Cup Podiums
In 2014 at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games, Mercedes third Olympics, she took a massive crash which resulted in a serious concussion. Mercedes entire life was put on hold. Barely able to hold a conversation let alone snowboard for two years. Once Mercedes had everything taken away from her, she realized what was truly important; being able to get back on her snowboard. A journey of innumerable ups and downs and for most of it Mercedes wasn’t sure if she would ever compete again.
In January 2016, after overcoming some serious physical and mental challenges as a result of the concussion, Mercedes made it back into the halfpipe and right to the top of the podium at Canadian Nationals in Ontario.
After a long four years of perseverance from the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Mercedes qualified for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. She achieved her goal of making Team Canada for her fourth Olympic Winter Games. Mercedes was honoured by being selected to walk in the front row of Team Canada at the Olympic Opening ceremonies, an honour only 8 athletes received out of 225.
At the 2018 Games Mercedes overcame the mental barrier and pushed through her fears landing the backside 900 in contest again, the trick that took her out in 2014.
“These Winter Olympic Games (PyeongChang 2018) mean the most to me, having overcome some serious hurdles to get here, my competitive Olympic experiences are complete!” Mercedes Nicoll
QUICK FACTS:
Getting into the Sport: Started snowboarding at age 13… Had been a skier and figure skater, but after moving to Whistler when she was 12 she found friends who were snowboarders so she made the switch the next year.
Outside Interests: Studied social media and online marketing at BCIT… Enjoys painting and used it as a form of therapy during her concussion recovery. Enjoys most outdoor sports and Jogtours exploring new places sharing them on Instagram stories.
Odds and Ends: Favourite Olympic memory is competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games it was a rare Canadian athletic opportunity competing in front of a home crowd is something Mercedes will never forget. The love that Canadians had for all of the athletes at Vancouver 2010 and seeing how the country could come together to support them. Mercedes collects her competition bibs and accreditations.
Giving Back: Spends her time volunteering with charities; KidSport, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, CanFUND, the Great Trail, Jack.org and is heavily involved in sport being the Chair of Canada Snowboards Athlete Council with a seat on the Canada Snowboard board.
Favourite quote: “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” – Marilyn Monroe…
AFTER THE OLYMPICS
ANNOUNCING | RIDE WITH AN OLYMPIAN | DROPPING IN a podcast with Mercedes
Mercedes hosted the 2018 – 2020 World Ski and Snowboard Festival and the 2022 -2023 Crankworx Kidsworks events. Mercedes is looking forward to being in front of the camera more often.
Mercedes is at home in Whistler, BC guiding and coaching clients on hill in the Ski or Ride with an Olympian Program.
She also hosts, produces and edits her podcast DROPPING IN with Mercedes Nicoll. You can find her on all your favourite podcast network, YouTube and daily on Shaw TV in British Columbia.
