Flashback on the SNX of Turkiye with WSNX riders Ida Rosell, Samantha Gilliéron and Kelly Collier

Let’s comeback to the first round of the FIM Snowcross World Championship held at Kayseri-Erciyes in Turkiye.

Among all the riders present who displayed a tremendous show, were three amazing women who braved the Turkish track to ride with the male riders, they were Ida Rosell, Samantha Gilliéron and Kelly Collier.  

We had a chat with them three to ask a bit about them, their experience on riding with men as well as their expectation about the upcoming FIM Women’s Snowcross World Championship in Finland and Norway! 

We ask them the same 10 Questions and here are what they said! 

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IDA ROSELL

• What is your name where you’re from?

 Ida Rosell from Sollefteå, Sweden 

• How long have you been snow cross racing?

This is my 4^th season racing snowcross

• funny fact about yourself

Funny fact is that I’m awesome singer in the car

• What made you decide to go to Turkiye?

I wanted to go to Turkiye to be one of the first to get to race snowmobiles there.

• What was your best memory about your experience in Turkiye?

My best memory from Turkiye was taking the holeshot in the LCQ on Saturday

• Did you find it difficult to race with the men?

It was challenging to race against the men, but I was looking forward to it

• How did you end up becoming  a snowcross rider?

I Started with Hillclimb racing in 2019 and then moved to snowcross after a couple seasons.

• Would you go back and would you promote the event to other riders?

It was a cool event and different from what I’m  used to in Scandinavia. Im glad I got the opportunity to participate! I take one season at a time, and I hope to have the opportunity to race another season

• What’s the best part of riding snow mobiles? 

The best parts are having fun, meeting all the people and chasing the adrenaline. It was a long drive! I was glad to get to see all the countries that we drove through, the race and just the whole event!

• What are your expectations of the events in Finland and Norway?

I am really excited to be competing in the FIM womens world championship again this season. I really loved the track last year in Kirkenes so, I’m  hoping for two great tracks in Joensuu and Kirkenes. I was 5th overall last year and hoping to match or improve on that this season!

SAMANTHA GILLIÉRON 

• What is your name where you’re from?

So I’m Samantha Gilliéron, I come from Switzerland 

• How long have you been snow cross racing?

I started snowmobiling when I was 4, but I’ve only been doing snowcross for 10 years.

• funny fact about yourself

Every snowmobile I’ve ever owned has a name, Now I’m with Speedy

• What made you decide to go to Turkiye?

My friends, Harald Bacher and Max Tosi, They pushed me to come, and I don’t regret it. 

• What was your best memory about your experience in Turkiye?

THE FINAL! I was able to race with the best drivers in the world, a childhood dream come true. but I really appreciated the hospitality of the organisers, the people on site and the welcome. Everything was perfect.

• Did you find it difficult to race with the men?

Yes, Of curse, and I haven’t had much training this year either, so that was a difficulty for me. I’m used to riding with the men and I really appreciated the respect the men showed me when I overtook them.

• How did you end up becoming  a snowcross rider?

I could no longer snowmobile freely in my village, so I went to see a Swiss championship final and said to myself “why not me” and I gave myself the means to succeed.

• Would you go back and would you promote the event to other riders?

Of course, and it’s already done (LOL)

• What’s the best part of riding snow mobiles? 

The Snowcross Family. I don’t have the words, snowmobiling is my medicine and snowcross is the best way to forget my life for the duration of the race. 

• What are your expectations of the events in Finland and Norway?

Unfortunately I won’t be able to take part at the end of the world championship, as the preparation time is too short and going so far away requires a greater infrastructure than I have at the moment. In Switzerland, we get very little help in motor sport, and sponsors are hard to come by, and I’d like to prepare better for my 2024-2025 season and do the whole world championship properly. I’m aiming for the long term.

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KELLY COLLIER

• What is your name where you’re from?

Kelly Jean Collier from Ludington, Michigan USA

• How long have you been snow cross racing?

I had my first race 10 years ago but really started racing more actively 4 years ago. 

• funny fact about yourself

I quit racing 3 years ago thinking I was too old to race but after the garage was empty 2 weeks I had to get back in the game. Now I’m very happy I didn’t quit because I’ve only gotten better and able to race 2 World Championships at 44 years old. 

• What made you decide to go to Turkiye?

I went to Turkiye because I thought it would be an amazing life experience. I’m not sure if the opportunity would come up again in my racing career, so why not!

• What was your best memory about your experience in Turkiye?

Racing the LCQ I was able to battle from the back of the pack and fight up to qualifying for the final. 

• Did you find it difficult to race with the men?

I actually found it much easier to race with the men than I anticipated. The track was so huge that it made it easier to race with the guys than if it had been a tight track. 

• How did you end up becoming  a snowcross rider?

As a kid my dad had a very old Arctic cat Cheetah but it wasn’t until I traded a dirt bike for a race snowmobile 10 years ago that I got into racing. 

• Would you go back and would you promote the event to other riders?

Yes, definitely I would go back and encourage others to enjoy the same amazing experience 2025!

• What’s the best part of riding snow mobiles? 

The best part of snowcross is being on the start line and feel the rush when you make a good started or drive so good you take over many drivers

• What are your expectations of the events in Finland and Norway?

My goal would be to just give 100% and place at good as possible at both events with no injuries. Last year I placed 12 but I’ve put in a lot more time on the sled so hopefully 10th or better. Overall just enjoy ever minute of this amazing sport! Thank you FIM and everyone involved to make these events possible!