#SnowStories: Augustinho Teixeira, Brazil’s snowboarding sensation

On the morning of April’s Park & Pipe Continental Cup event on the Kitzsteinhorn mountain, in Austria, everything seemed to be going wrong for Halfpipe hopeful Augustinho Teixeira. He had just about avoided competing without his contact lenses in, forgot his water bottle, and ended up leaving his bib behind. 

His mum Elenilda, who just so happened to be travelling with him to an event in Europe for the first time, dropped him off and made the roundtrip back to collect the bib in time.  

It was the exact opposite way an athlete would want to begin competition day, yet amid the chaos of it all, Augustinho couldn’t shake the feeling: I can win this.  

By the time he completed his final run, that is exactly what he did.  

“It was kind of all over the place, but it was awesome,” he told FIS.  

“I knew a couple of the other boys, so it was super fun to have them kind of push into doing these runs or tricks or combinations.”  

His success marked a moment in history, becoming the first win for Brazil in a Continental Cup event. The presence of Augustinho’s mother — who he describes as ‘Brazilian to her core’— made that all the more special.  

Victory wasn’t just by way of a medal, but rather proof that all the sacrifices his family made for this to happen had been worth it.  

“It hasn’t really sunk in where it’s like I’m really lucky to be able to do this,” he continued.

Those sacrifices included a dramatic change of scenery in which the Teixeira family left sunny South America to move to snowy Canada, where Augustinho’s dream was suddenly in touching distance. If they were serious about this career, and about being competitive, it was a no-brainer.  

From the kid who tore his bunkbeds apart to simulate landing tricks, and the youngster who rode sand hills on a board to get closer to the sport, to the 20-year-old sensation winning historic medals for his nation. He has shown — and continues to do so — that there are truly no barriers when it comes to chasing dreams.

A development camp success story

As already established with the immense sacrifices made by Augustinho’s family, snowboarding is so much more than a lone silhouette gliding through the glaciers. There is great value in learning from others and embracing different styles.  

With the help of FIS Development Camps, held across the globe to further the progress of different disciplines, the Brazilian was able to add a new dimension to his approach, particularly when it came to upping his game on rails.  

“The camps were super helpful in meeting different people with different snowboarding styles,” he said.  

“I wasn’t very good at rails and stuff like that, so it was something that really helped, specifically in SnowWorld because everybody was really good at rails — it was awesome.” 

He has been to a handful of FIS camps, and credits them with helping to build confidence as he navigates this early stage of his career.  

From experienced coaches to like-minded athletes, they have fostered an ideal environment for budding skiers and snowboarders alike. 

“The competition part helped me too,” Augustinho added.  

“There’s so many athletes and coaches that can provide information about things like strategies and easing nerves… it’s amazing."

It is that kind of interaction, and Augustinho's podium-topping runs in Austria, that are helping to feed into his ultimate goal: the Winter Olympics. The 20-year-old is taking things day by day, but the upcoming Milano Cortina spectacle next year is in the back of his mind.  

Getting there? Amazing. Being able to medal? Beyond his wildest dreams.  

“I’m trying to make it to the Olympics for sure, it would be amazing… a dream come true,” he admitted.  

“We’ll see how it goes, but I’m training hard and focused on making the cut for qualification. My ultimate dream? Being there firstly, after that, trying to medal.” 

Augustinho: Being the role model he never had 

By his own admission, Augustinho is not one for the spotlight. Even when it came to basking in the glory of his latest accolade, there is a shyness to the young South American.  

Yet even he, against his natural instincts, can recognize the importance of what he is doing not only for the status of snow sports in Brazil, but for the young hopefuls who may look to him as a point of reference.  

“It is kind of a big title, I guess… I don’t think of myself as much of a leader or a role model but it’s nice when people look up to somebody,” he smiles.

Just being present in this space is proving that anything is possible, even succeeding in a sport that may otherwise seem unlikely, no matter where you hail from.  

Augustinho is equally passionate about raising the profile of snowboarding in Brazil, a place that is close to his heart. Not necessarily known for its snow-covered landscapes, the development of winter sports is ongoing.  

He may be in the beginnings of what is a promising career, but he remains committed to nurturing the growing community where his roots are.  

“I would like to help in making it more accessible for people to get into snowboarding,” the Halfpipe specialist explained.  

“I think it’s great, it’s a sport that is very similar to skateboarding and surfing, which are massive in South America.  

“We have to figure out a way to make it more accessible for people to actually do.” 

His desire to follow his dreams may have taken him far from home, but Augustinho’s heart remains rooted in making winter sports a mainstay in Brazil — carving out his own legacy on the snow, one run at a time.