Westport Native Competing In Beijing Winter Olympics

WESTPORT, CT — As fans around the world get swept up in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing this month, Westport will be well-represented with local native Julia Marino competing.

For Marino, a 24-year-old snowboarder competing in the slopestyle and big air competitions, this marks her second Olympic winter games appearance. She previously competed in PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, where she placed 10th in the big air competition and 11th in the slopestyle competition, according to her Team USA profile.

In remarks made during a recent opening press conference, provided by a U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Team press officer, Marino said she was coming into the 2022 games with a little more experience and knowledge than in 2018.

"I've learned a lot in the four years from the past one and I'm trying to take some of those lessons and apply them here," Marino said. "I'm coming in with a little bit less expectations and just trying to enjoy the experience."

She also noted there were similarities between the Beijing and PyeongChang courses. Both courses feature twisted jumps, which Marino said she has not seen anywhere else.

"The thing that's really nice about this course is that the jumps are really smooth this year and not as intimidating as they looked initially," Marino said. "I really like the course this year."

Marino previously placed first in the slopestyle event at the 2017 X Games Aspen. She also placed third in the big air event at that same competition.

She also notably competed in the 2018 X Games Aspen, where she placed second in the slopestyle event, and the 2017 X Games Norway, where she placed second in the big air event and third in slopestyle.

In 2016, she became the first woman to land a double in the slopestyle competition at the Corona World Championships of Snowboarding.

Marino began competing and training at the age of 13 and is also an accomplished skateboarder. Her profile lists her hobbies as photography, playing guitar, surfing, mountain biking and drawing.

The opening ceremony for the 2022 Olympics was set for Friday morning.