Westbound Boarder

This week, some of the best from around the web!

• Fireriding? Check out this pretty sweet vid posted in Transworld.  (Caution: Don’t try this at home, ladies!)
• “Halfpipe? Hasta la vista!” says Gretchen Bleiler: In her new blog on espnW.com (its ESPN’s new blog network for professional female athletes) Gretchen Bleiler takes a moment to reflect upon her past 10 years as a professional rider, ultimately sharing that she will elimate most halfpipe competitions out of her schedule this season and focus on more creative riding.  Snowboarding is one of those amazing sports where the competition circuit definitely isn’t the only way for riders to showcase their talents; in fact, as pro riders try for seasons and seasons to perfect their “perfect run,” creativity can often get lost in the shuffle.  Kudos to Gretchen for wanting to put the fun back in her routine!  Ultimately, that’s what snowboarding’s all about.
• Sheckler’s New Flips: Check out Ryan Sheckler’s new flip campaign for sponsor Flip video camera.  What do you think?  Flippin’ cool, or total flop? (Note: Proceeds from his customized flip video cam sales go to support The Sheckler Foundation, and his videos will run on air until Dec. 12).

I know, I know, with several resorts across the US now open, snow is a topic on everyone’s mind right now.  Hopefully some of these articles from around the web will help get you extra hyped to catch some freshies this weekend.

• Gretchen Bleiler talks bucket list with comedian Paul Scheer: Pro snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler takes a moment to catch up with ESPN Page 2 columnist Scoop Jackson and divulge the activities that still remain on her bucket list.  “The only thing I haven’t done is gotten that gold medal at the Olympics.”  But hey, with 4 X-games gold medals behind her, Gretchen isn’t doing too bad.  Will she go for five?  Catch the interview here.
• Columbia Sportswear chairman outwits armed robber: Being “One Tough Mother” has served Gert Boyle, the 86-year-old chairman of Columbia Sportswear, well all these years, but this week she took her toughness to a whole new level by outwitting an armed robber.  A must read story on OregonLive.com this week!  Lesson learned?  You may be able to get away with attempting to rob Gertt Boyle, but wear a North Face jacket around her and you’re toast!  Side note: The cop mentioned in the story, Officer Bunch, just happens to be my former next door neighbor!
• ESPN Catches up with Danny Davis: Coming out of a pretty severe back injury, Danny Davis talks about taking a step back this season to focus on doing more of what he wants to do, such as splitboarding and spending time at resorts he’s never ridden at before such as Jackson Hole.

I’m always stoked to see women-only snowboard comps. which is why the Covergirl Snow Angels Invitational (as well as last weekend’s Roxy Chicken Jam) is hot on our radar.  This year’s event will once again be held at Snowmass this coming weekend, April 2 – 4, and it will feature some of the industry’s best talent.  Competing athletes include Olympic athletes Gretchen Bleiler, Kelly Clark, and Elena Hight, as well as Sarah Conrad, Ellery Hollingsworth, Mercedes Nicoll, Linn Haug, Maddy Schaffrick, Haruna Matsumoto, Soko Yamaoka, Sophie Rodriguez, Kelly Marren, Palmer Taylor, Paulina Ligocka and Ursina Holler.  The event will feature a Superpipe contest on Saturday, April 3 in Snowmass. In addition, there will be several lifestyle activities for the riders including a spa day, yoga classes and a girl’s night out on the town.  The girls will all vie for $20,000 in prize money at the superpipe competition in Snowmass on April 3.

This year’s event will feature several new twists on past year’s activities, including the Barbie Little Air (open to the public) where participants 13-years-old and younger will compete on a small jump at the base of Snowmass for prizes from Barbie (totally cute! I wish I could go watch!), an autograph session with the athletes at Spider Sabich below the Snowmass Superpipe, free snowboard demo from K2 Snowboard’s 2011 product and poolside après party at the Viceroy Resorts and Residences.

This event is awesome and so perfect for the female audience because it shows that its okay for women to be hardcore snowboarders while still embracing their inner feminine beauty, despite the fact that action sports is a male-dominated industry.  It’s also a neat way to integrate a non-endemic brand into the snowboard industry.  Kudos!

Catch the full event schedule below, and stay tuned for the highlights!

Thursday, April 1st
9 am – 4 pm: K2 Snowboard Demo – Snowmass Village Mall

Friday, April 2nd
9 am – 4 pm: K2 Snowboard Demo, Oakley and ContourHD demo – Snowmass Village Mall
10 am – 1 pm: Film, photo shoot & freeride day – Snowmass Superpipe
3 pm – 4 pm: Barbie Little Air – Snowmass Fanny Hill

Saturday, April 3rd
9 am – 4 pm: K2 Snowboard Demo, Oakley and ContourHD demo – Snowmass Village Mall
9:30 am – 2 pm: Free superpipe viewing access for foot-passengers – Burlingame lift
10 am: Superpipe practice – Snowmass Superpipe
11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Superpipe Jam Session Competition – Snowmass Superpipe
12 – 2 pm: Lunch specials – Spider Sabich Cabin
1 – 1:30pm: COVERGIRL Snow Angel athlete autograph session – Spider Sabich Cabin
4 – 6 pm: Poolside après party – Viceroy Pool

Sunday April 4th
9 am – 4 pm: Oakley and ContourHD demo – Snowmass Village Mall
10 am – 1 pm: Film, photo shoot & freeride – Snowmass Superpipe
9 pm – 12 am: COVERGIRL Snow Angel night out featuring Danger Kitty – Belly Up Aspen

This coming weekend marks the last few events of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, as Sunday’s closing ceremonies will officially end the games.  The last two events in snowboarding will happen tonight and tomorrow at Cypress, the men’s and women’s snowboarding Giant Slalom (women’s on Friday, men’s on Saturday).  The Giant Slalom is one of the most grueling events in the Olympic games, where riders race head-to-head around gates against another opponent (and to be completely candid, I’m not too familiar with this type of event, as it is not typically held in American mainstream competitive circuits.  So I’m particularly excited to watch!)

One thing I have noticed about this year’s games in comparison to years past is that snowboarding has taken a much larger role in the overall event, and I really think it’s safe to say that it was one of the most hyped sports in the Olympics this year.  In the past, snowboarding has always taken a sideline seat to skiing, however, I think this year we really saw a shift in perceptions, especially among mainstream audiences.  I, for one, heard many more people talking about the snowboarding events compared to the skiing events.  In fact, I really didn’t hear much about skiing outside of American athletes Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller, but everyone from the hardcore riders at my local mountain to the could-care-less-about-sports folks (like my sister) knew the names of the American roster and gathered around their TV sets to cheer them on as they rode though the pipe.  The progression the sport of snowboarding has seen in recent years has absolutely played a contributing role in raising the profile of snowboarding in this year’s Olympics, but the athletes themselves have helped lift the image as well.  In the past couple of years, snowboarders (often seen as “tyrants” on the slopes… sometimes for good reason ) such as Shaun White, Gretchen Bleiler, and Hannah Teter have emerged as role models, and instead of parents resenting the lifestyle that comes along with the sport, they are now encouraging their kids to take part.  It’s really cool to see your sport in the limelight, and to see and hear the nation collectively cheering on the athletes you’ve been supporting since day 1 and giving them the props they rightly deserve.  I’m really interested to see how the sport will evolve over the next 10 years, as the kids who are now growing up idolizing athletes like Shaun White, begging their parents to buy them a new ride, start competing.  Maybe in the next Olympics we’ll start to see quadruple corks?

So, as much all of us involved in the snowboard industry roll our eyes at the Olympic games (it even sounds like Vancouver is feeling a bit of buyer’s remorse this year) they have helped to tremendously raise the profile of snowboarding among mainstream audiences.  And right now, and for the future of snowboarding, that’s a really good thing.

WIN IT! To celebrate the final weekend of the 2010 Olympic games, we have a limited edition Oakley prize pack to give away!  Snowboarding would not be in the position it is today if it weren’t for the major brands behind it, so I’m really excited to announce this fun giveaway.  One reader will have the opportunity to win an Oakley prize pack, pictured to the right.  The pack is part of the Oakley Global Collection of products, which has been designed to honor Oakley’s global team of athletes participating in this year’s Olympics. It includes a set of limited edition Global Crowbar Snow Goggles, Global Fuel Cell sunglasses, Global backpack, women’s Oakley Global t-shirt, an Oakley Global beanie and collector’s pin. The graphics on the collection recognize the heritage of British Columbia and Vancouver, host city to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

How to win…Leave us a comment below and tell us how YOU think that snowboarding fared in this year’s Olympic Games, and how you think the games helped raise the profile of snowboarding nationwide (and if you don’t agree?  Bring it on!)  The contest will close on Monday, March 8 at midnight PT, and we’ll draw one winner the next day to receive the pack.

If you just so happen to be in Vancouver right now (lucky you!) make sure you stop by Oakley’s Rolling O-Lab and Pop-Up Store before they roll away Sunday night.  Details:

• The Rolling O-Lab is a mobile demonstration unit that educates visitors about the science behind quality eye protection. Technology presentations include the use of optical laser scope equipment that demonstrates clarity and prism shift, ultraviolet emitters and measuring devices to illustrate UV protection, and testing rigs that show the effects of high-velocity and high-mass impact situations.  Fans can visit the Rolling O-Lab at Grouse Mountain 9am – 8pm, and the best part?  It’s free! (We love free)
• Meanwhile, the Pop-Up Store features a fully enriched Oakley retail experience complete with an array of the company’s products. One of the store’s highlights is an Oakley Custom Bar, where visitors can customize select Oakley eyewear and goggle products.  It is located at 488 Robson Street.

And speaking of giveaways, in case you haven’t already entered, be sure to also check out our Cushe Boots giveaway.  Ends Monday, March 1!

Update: Dear Readers, thanks for all your fabulous comments – we got some great feedback, and it’s nice to hear that most of you enjoyed watching this year’s team take Olympic snowboarding to new heights.  Congrats to Maria, the winning commenter! (Selected via random.org).  Check back for more giveaways soon!

The Olympic halfpipe events, which most participants have spent months, even years, preparing for, have come and gone, and it really was quite a good time.  Shaun White totally stole the show (and for good reason) but with all the hype around White the past few weeks, I think many of the talents of other competitors got lost in the mix.  Lago, Vito, Bleiler, Clark, even some of the international riders, all put on a great show, and were acclaimed in their own, individual ways.

So now, I want to open it up to you all and invite you to share your thoughts post-comps.  Did you watch the Olympic snowboard games?  Who was your favorite competitor?  What were your favorite moments?

Let’s hear it in the comments below!

After a a rough round of first runs with multiple gnarly crashes, there really was no telling who was going to take home the prize in the womens halfpipe this evening. But the results are in and even though Westbound was holding out for an all USA podium, we are still pleased that the USA dominated it taking home Silver and Bronze. USA rider Hannah Teter led the pack at the end of the first round as most of the top contenders, including Gretchen Bleiler (USA), Elena Height (USA), Torah Bright (AUS) and Kelly Clark (USA) all crashed their first runs. This lead to some intense final runs as the girls really had to step it up if they wanted to take home a medal.

Unfortunately the crash course continued as both USA competitors Bleiler tumbled on her cab 720 and Height fell on her second run as well; eliminating their chances for any medal. Clark had a solid second run with a 42.2. As Bright had also fallen her first run, the pressure was really on. Although from Bright herself, “I like to think I’m pretty laid back. It’s not the end of the world. I fell. It happens. I had to go out and have a bit of fun with it. I’m just so excited I was able to put down that second run tonight.” And that is exactly what she did. Her run consisted of a backside 360, a switch backside 720, backside 540 an Air to Fakie and cab 720. Wow.

After her second run, Bright impatiently waited at the bottom of the pipe as the other ladies gave it their all. It finally all came down to the defending gold medalist… who threw down a backside air, frontside 900, backside 540, a sketchy frontside 360 and a cab 720. Unfortunately Teter’s feat was not good enough and at the end of her run, the recognition of the loss was on her face.

Teter was disappointed that she didn’t take home the back to back gold (as was I!) but admitted that, “Torah’s run was super motivating.”  Teter said, “Her run was exceptional. You wanted to go super big and try to catch her, but I couldn’t catch her. She was on fire.”

And clearly she was. Bright had the run of the night and now has the gold to prove it. And to my disappointment, that brings the Olympic halfpipe competitions to an end. Well, for 4 years at least. What will the 2014 halfpipe in Russia bring us? I seriously can’t wait. Great job ladies, each and everyone of you are such an inspiration!

Torah Bright (AUS) 45.0

Hannah Teter (USA) 42.4

Kelly Clark (USA) 42.2

Well, the news is officially out there; Australian snowboarder Torah Bright is taking home the Gold from tonight’s women’s halfpipe competition, earning a score of 45.0.  US rider (and defending Gold medalist from Torino) Hannah Teter came in second with a score of 42.4, while Kelly Clark, also from the US team, came in third with a 42.2.  Clark, who has pretty much scored first consistently throughout all US team qualifying rounds, was overshadowed by Teter by mere fraction-points; but that’s the way it goes.  More to come, but just wanted t share the great news!

The Winter X Games is one of the largest annual contests of the year and is notorious for pushing its competitors to the next level and raising industry standards year after year.  This year was no exception, especially since the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver B.C. are right around the corner. The X Games are a great opportunity for women snowboarders to showcase their skills, while raising the bar for womens snowboarding. There were three female snowboard competitions during this past weekend’s event.  Snowboard Cross, a treacherous, windy, and super fast, five person race, the Slopestyle park comp, and of course the 22′ Super Pipe. The super pipe contest was awesome this year, and the U.S. girls ripped it up. In fact, the girls who podiumed where all on the U.S. woman’s Olympic team. First place went to Gretchen Bleiler, a Colorado local, second was Kelly Clark, and third was Hannah Teeter. Kelly was the only girl to do a 900 and absolutely popped the highest out of the pipe, but it was Gretchen Bleiler who had her trademarked crippler 720, which is sort of like a rodeo, but more inverted and stylish. Hannah Teeter had a great bag of tricks with perfect 540′s as well. Unfortunately, one of my favorite riders, Elena Hight, didn’t medal, though she did kill the Dew tour stop at Snow Basin (Ogden, UT), getting first in the woman’s Super Pipe.

Slopestyle was impressive this year, with a few different riders than the Super Pipe and plenty of tricks to go with them. The slopestyle course was made up of a rail garden and three giant jumps, stretching from 50′ to almost 70′ to finish off the run. Jenny Jones from Great Brittan won the Gold, Jamie Anderson won the Silver, and Janna Meyen-Weatherby won Bronze. Janna has been tearing up contests for years – she’s 32 years old and making it look effortless over the jumps. She was also the only girl to stick a 900. Jamie Anderson was great on the rails, doing a 360 nose bonk, and she killed it on the jumps with clean 7′s all around. It was Jones, though, with her perfect run with big air and style over all of the jumps pulling the consecutive 540′s with no sketchy landings, who conquered. Also have to give credit to Eero Ettala for the mens, stomping the best run I’ve ever seen in a contest. His first slopestyle run consisted of the double cork 1080, double backside rodeo 900, and then a double back flip. I knew this guy was good, but wow, taking a safe gold with no one even coming close to his score.

With all five Grand Prix events officially behind us, today, the 2010 US Winter Snowboard Team was finally announced, with one spot on both the women and men up for grabs.  Without further ado, here are the six shredders who will be representing the US in Vancouver next month (the last two will be announced in a press conference Monday afternoon):

Men
Shaun White
Louie Vito
Scotty Lago

Women
Kelly Clark
Gretchen Bleiler
Hannah Teter

Congrats to all, and good luck!  And in case you missed yesterday’s Grand Prix in Park City, you can catch the highlights and full event coverage today at 3pmET on NBC.

UPDATE: Elena Hight and Greg Bretz were added to the half pipe team, rounding it out to a full team of eight riders.  Yeah!

I know we have all been anxiously waiting to hear who will be riding on this year’s 2010 Olympic Halfpipe team.  This weekend, Park City, Utah will play host to the fifth and final round of the Olympic qualifiers, where 30 riders will be vying for the remaining spots on this year’s team.

The US Snowboarding Grand Prix made stops earlier this year at Copper Mountain and Mammoth Mountain, so Park City will be the third and final stop of the tour where the 2010 Olympic team (four men and four women) will officially be announced.

We know that Shaun White, who has already seen two first place finishes in former qualifying rounds, has already solidified his spot on this year’s US Olympic team in the men’s category.  Louie Vito, with two second place wins, is in good shape as well. Other probable contenders include JJ Thomas, Zach Black, Scotty Lago, and Mason Aguirre, though the last two spots remain somewhat uncertain.

On the women’s side, Kelly Clark’s two earlier wins in qualifying rounds have already secured her a spot on the team, with Gretchen Blieler being a shoe in as well.  Elena Hight and Hannah Teter also have the odds in their favor, though Ellery Hollingsworth will give them a good run for their money.  Between these five ladies, the four open spots up for grabs this weekend in Park City seem fairly predictable.  The only question now is, which one won’t get to see Vancouver this winter?

Catch the US Snowboarding Grand Prix on January 23, 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT on Fuel TV or via the live stream here: http://www.fuel.tv/USSnowboarding

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