The world of Snowboard Cross world champion Lucas Eguibar is much like his sport. That is, a world of high octane intense racing where the smallest mistake or even unlucky accident can mean the difference between winning and losing.

Speaking from his home in San Sebastian, Spain, Eguibar tells CGTN Europe in Snowboard Cross the margin between triumph and disaster is very small. 

"If there was a secret to win in this sport, I would be winning a lot of races" he says. 

"I can't really say, because there is no secret. This sport is really tough because you're going to lose a lot more races than you win. Most of the time the results don't depend on you but on other racers."

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Olympic favorite?

In a sport that can be wildly unpredictable, Eguibar has become one of the most consistent performers on the circuit.

That consistency was rewarded in 2021 when he won the Snowboard Cross World Championship.

The world title has made Eguibar many people's favorite to take gold in Beijing.

However, he knows winning will not be easy.

"This sport is very challenging. Even when I gained a victory in the World Championship. I didn't think I was the favorite. I was among the leading pack but by no means the only one. It's basically the same for the Winter Olympics. I think I have a good chance, but I don’t think I'm the favorite," he says.

Back to Beijing

Favorite or not, the defending world champion says he's looking forward to going to Beijing to see if he can add Olympic gold to that world title. 

Eguibar has already raced on the Winter Olympic course in Beijing.

However, it wasn't a happy experience as he finished 22nd in the test event back in November.

The Spaniard says that poor result will serve as extra motivation for him in his quest for Olympic glory.