My life is about chasing the next thrill. At an age when most people are just learning to drive, I became the youngest snowboarding world champion in history. The proof of that dream is a gold medal. The proof of my other big dream is a Grabber Blue Ford Mustang, 1 an iconic car that makes coming home the best feeling in the world.
How I became a snowboarding world champion
My journey started on a snowboard at 18 months old. My parents are passionate snowboarders, and our lives revolved around the sport. By the time I was 10 years old, I was training with the GB Snowsport program across Europe in places like Laax in Switzerland and the Italian mountains of Livigno.
All those years of dedication led to the 2023 World Championships. Winning the slopestyle gold and becoming the youngest-ever world champ was an insane feeling. My parents never pushed me; they just wanted me to love it. Sharing that moment with them brought everything full circle.
Why the iconic Mustang was my first choice
After achieving a goal I'd worked my whole life for, I wanted to celebrate with another childhood dream. To me, the Mustang is the definitive American classic that everyone knows and loves. Getting behind the wheel of my own after years of dreaming about it was a cool, validating moment.
This isn't just my first car; it's my dream car, and I have a massive amount of respect for it. I actually learned to drive in the Puma 2 loaned to me by Ford, which was an amazing first step into driving. It helped me build confidence on the road, and my parents know I won't be careless — that trust means a lot.
My friends think it’s amazing. Having a Mustang at 19 is pretty unusual, especially in the UK where you don't see them as often. When I tell people, their reaction is usually just, "Wait, what?"
I have my dad to thank for finding the perfect Mustang. As a mechanic, he spent hours searching online, and knew exactly what to look for. His expertise made the whole process seamless.
The Mustang isn’t the only Ford in my life. For my professional life on the mountain, my team support car has been the Ford Ranger Raptor. 3 It's a true workhorse that can handle any terrain and carry all my gear, which is a different kind of thrill altogether. It perfectly represents the hardworking, adventurous side of my sport, while the Mustang is all about that classic, personal dream waiting for me back home
What’s next for me
My life is always on the move. The next few months are busy — I’m heading to Salt Lake City in the U.S., then off to Japan, and after that to Norway. It's a lot of travel, but the thought of coming home to my Mustang is the best motivation.
“To me, the Mustang is the definitive American classic that everyone knows and loves. Getting behind the wheel of my own after years of dreaming about it was a cool, validating moment.”Mia Brookes, British Snowboarding Champion and Mustang Owner
I don’t have any big road trips planned just yet. For now, I'm just enjoying driving it around my hometown in Cheshire and visiting friends. After flying all over the world, the best trips are sometimes the simple ones close to home.
Mia Brookes is a British Snowboarding Champion and Mustang owner
1 2026 model year Mustang 5.0-litre V8 homologated CO2 emissions 273-282 g/km and homologated fuel efficiency 12.0.‑12.4 l/100 km WLTP. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO2 emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.
2 Puma EcoBoost Hybrid CO2 homologated emissions 120-146 g/km and homologated fuel efficiency 5.3‑6.5 l/100 km WLTP.The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO2 emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.
3 Ford Ranger Raptor homologated CO2 emissions 315 g/km WLTP, homologated fuel efficiency 13.8 l/100 km WLTP. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions and CO2-emissions are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.
