Canadian freestyle skier Evan McEachran relies on rap music to pump himself up before big air jumps at the Winter Olympics. He carries backup earphones as essential equipment, using different genres for different events—rap for high-energy big air and soul for slopestyle where he needs flow.
McEachran is among many freestyle skiers who use music to mentally prepare, with Swiss skier Nils Rhyner choosing hardcore punk. The athletes say music helps them focus and get in the right mindset before their death-defying performances in the Italian Alps.