Ben Mates has competed at a Winter Olympics, has his own website and is one of the most recognisable snowboarders in Australia.
But not even that was enough to gain him automatic selection into today's Boost SnoSho international snowboard competition at Perisher.
Mates had to win his way through the wildcard qualification yesterday, after failing to get a spot in the main draw.
A 27m slide on the world's longest rail and eye-catching displays in the ''Big Air'' and ''Jam Session'' categories ensured the 25-year-old will compete for $35,000 in prizemoney.
Normally a half-pipe specialist, Mates said he was looking forward to mixing it with some of the biggest jumpers in world snowboarding.
''Normally there's a World Cup event on in New Zealand at the same time so I've never been able to enter before,'' Mates said.
''I didn't chase up a spot, I was hopeful of getting one through the wildcards and it paid off.
''This gets me away from the halfpipe and training for the Olympics for a while and I like it getting out and having a bit of fun in other disciplines.
''I like to be an all-around snowboarder, not just be known as a half-pipe rider.''
Mates quit the Australian half-pipe team following the Turin Winter Olympics in 2006 which means he has had to fund his own bid to get to the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
He's been working at the BP ski hire shop in Jindabyne to fund his overseas trips and said winning some prizemoney today would be handy.
''With the Olympics stuff I pay for everything myself, so if I win anything it's definitely going to go towards my travels.
''I found that I wasn't enjoying my time on the [Australian] team, I'm having a lot more fun now, even though its costing me a lot more money.''
The record on the rail is 56m, more than double Mates' slide from yesterday.
''The rail, anyone can win that ... hopefully we get a few practice attempts first. I'm sure I can give it a big shake,'' he said.
Jindabyne teenager Trevor Henshaw also won a wildcard into the main event yesterday and will take his place in a 25-strong field that includes international superstars Danny Cass and Sebastien Toutant.
TODAY
The Boost Mobile SnoSho, world snowboard event, Perisher Blue Resort. Finals 6-9pm