The Verona Slip by Rayssa

Nike SB: Who had the biggest influence on your skateboarding?

Rayssa Leal: First my Family. My father and my mother have pushed me since the beginning because they notice how much I love it. Second, the girls that skate like Letícia Bufoni, Karen Feitosa, Gabi Mazetto and a lot of other girls I’ve grown up watching.

SB: How do you prepare for skating in a big contest?

RL: I practice in my city’s skate park and my parents are always around helping me. Supporting and giving me the best advise to get better. And my brother Felipe, also.

SB: You’re always rooting for your friends in competitions and having fun. When you take your run, are you just competing against yourself and tuning out everyone else?

RL: One of the best things about skateboarding is actually cheering for everyone to get a trick. This is fun because we all cheer and support each other. It makes me really happy when girls land a trick. It's so cool! Then when it’s my turn, I give my best to achieve all my goals and land it also.

SB: What did it mean to represent Brazil in the Olympics?

RL: It was very emotional to represent my country, get to the podium, see the Brazilian flag among the 3 winners. It was a moment I will never forget.

SB: You really feed off the crowd in contests, what was it like skating in a big stadium without the support of fans?

RL: Ah, having the crowd is always better. The energy they spread is so good. But even if it wasn't full, everyone from the confederations and other athletes from Brazil were in the stands cheering for me. I know even from far away, there were a lot of people sending good energy too. It helped me a lot.

SB: How has skating changed for you since the Olympics?

RL: It's more difficult now to train in my city and go to open parks in Brazil because the crowds and fans are bigger. But I travel and train with other skaters too.

SB: You’ve accomplished so much in contests but everyone wants to know when will we see a new Rayssa street part?

RL: I have plans to film my video part as soon as possible. I have school and contests that might take it longer for me to finish, but I can say it will be soon.

SB: What do you like about skating rails?

RL: I love rails because it gives me more adrenaline. It's fun to go down and up rails.

SB: What was the inspiration for your Verona color way?

RL: My life story. It is the first shoe with my signature, so it had to show where I came from and where it all began.

SB: Do you have a favorite part of the shoe and why?

RL: The insole because that phrase has a big meaning for me. I really believe that if you can dream, you can make it happen.

SB: How do you feel when you look back now at the clip that made you famous?

RL: It makes me really happy that it was my mom who filmed me, and even more that Tony H. shared it. Since that day, a lot has changed!

SB: What are your goals for 2022?

RL: I want to keep having fun skateboarding. I want to inspire more girls to skate and do sports, and keep doing well in contests.