Tipper gave a slow inhale; he looked like his patience was being tested already. ‘Kit had won the World Surf Tour nine times by the time he retired and I don’t doubt he would have continued to win if he’d chosen to stay in the sport.’ His words were clipped, his tone flat, as though he was bored having to speak. ‘When his agent made the approach, I made my decision based on the fact that he has a champion mindset and he knows how to win. He’s an athlete at the top of his game: strong, agile and prepared to push his body to its limits. He knows how to commit to a training regime, he can cope with pressure. And more than anything, he’s realistic about what is possible. Surfing has given him all the requisite skills for Halfpipe, but he knows that at thirty, taking up Slopestyle at this level would be . . . inadvisable.’

‘Yes. Exactly how easy is it to switch from surfing to riding a halfpipe?’

‘It’s easier for a surfer to snowboard than the other way round. In surfing, besides actually riding the barrels, they must also perfect technique for paddling, timing the waves and getting up on the board. All on a moving surface. In essence, all Kit’s had to do on the snow is learn to balance his weight through the centre of the board. In surfing, you ride with the weight on the back foot.’

‘But it’s a lot more involved than that, learning all the jumps. There’s almost a gymnastic element to those.’

‘Yes. But Kit’s highly focused. He’s probably spent as much time on the trampolines and airbags as he has on the snow. It was important to build his confidence with those moves before progressing to the hard-packed surfaces.’

‘Does he have an innate sense for jumps?’

‘No.’

‘. . . Could you elaborate?’

‘He’s able to do what he does through sheer determination. It doesn’t come naturally to him.’

‘Is that enough, when his competitors are constantly pushing the boundaries?’

‘My feeling – and I’ve told him this – is that he will get the high points by doing the basics very well – amplitude, style and rock-solid landings.’

She nodded. ‘His brother seems to have a natural flair. You and I are standing here at the Stomping Grounds training camp in Saas-Fee and there’s been much talk about Beau Foley potentially breaking into the professional circuit too.’

‘Beau isn’t my client. I focus solely on Kit.’

Clover was surprised. ‘Isn’t that . . . short-sighted?’

He looked surprised by her sudden bluntness. ‘Kit is the star. He only has a couple of years to break through. He’s my focus.’

She took a moment. ‘You’re very highly regarded in this industry. Did you think it might harm your reputation to become involved with Kit Foley?’

‘No.’