Ten-time X Games Gold Medalist, four-time Olympian, and U.S. Snowboardcross Team member Lindsey Jacobellis is set to host the 2020 Super Girl Snow Pro at Bear Mountain in Big Bear, Calif. Feb. 22-23. Lindsey is psyched about this year’s improvements to the only all women’s snowboard competition in the world.
“I’m really happy that we have been able to expand the space we are working with this year,” said Lindsey. “We have more real estate for boardercross than ever before and we were able to spread out where big air jump is going to be. Essentially, this means that wherever spectators are located on the deck at Bear Mountain, they’ll have a great viewing experience. In addition, I’m excited to share that we have more World Cup riders participating this year including a good percentage of the Canadian National Team. We definitely stepped up the big players attending the event.”
The event will serve as a showcase for the best of women’s snowboarding in a contest completely designed by the riders, including top-level snowboardcross and big air competitions. The event also serves as a developmental contest to help encourage, nurture, and mentor the next generation of aspiring female snowboarding pros. More than 100 top amateurs will compete alongside their heroes. This year the amateur contest will serve as the final qualifier into the USASA National Championships March 27 - April 2 at Copper Mountain, Colo.
The Super Girl Series is about much more than landing on the podium. The event supports sustainability efforts through the Southern California Mountains Foundation and breast cancer prevention through Boarding for Breast Cancer. Furthermore, the mission of the event is also designed around the honorable sentiment of providing opportunities for women to be front and center in sports, entertainment, education, business, and popular culture.
“This is an event that I am extremely passionate about," said Lindsey. "It’s incredibly important to lay the foundation for the future of women’s snowboarding, and this event does an amazing job of empowering women and putting pros and amateurs together in a unique environment so we can pass along our experiences to the next generation.”
In addition to the high-level snowboarding competition, the event features live concerts with Stephanie Poetri, New Hope Club and Ally Brooke, female DJs, panel discussions, autographs, giveaways, sponsor booths, and more. Don’t miss your chance to see pros like Lindsey and her U.S. Snowboardcross teammates Meghan Tierney and Faye Gulini. Admission is free for spectators. If you can’t make it out in person, be sure to tune in below to the live webcast.
To connect with the event via social media, follow @SupergirlPro on Instagram and Twitter, visit Facebook.com/SupergirlPro.
WATCH LIVE WEBCAST Saturday, Feb. 22
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. PST
Tune in below
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
Kim Wins Laureus World Sports Awards' Action Sports Athlete of the Year
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 18 2020
Chloe Kim won her second straight Action Sports Sportsperson of the Year Award at the 20th Anniversary of the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday, Feb. 17 in Berlin, Germany. Chloe took a break from studying and pulled her head out of her books to share her gratitude.
The Laureus World Sports Awards are the premier global sporting awards. First held in 2000, the annual event honors the greatest and most inspirational sporting triumphs of the year and showcases the work of Laureus Sport for Good. The event was hosted by actor Hugh Grant and featured entertainment from British singer-songwriter and former member of One Direction, Liam Payne. Nominees were determined by a vote of more than 1000 sports journalists, broadcaster and influencers from around the world, while the winners were voted for by the living sporting legends who collectively make up the Laureus World Sports Academy.
Chloe’s nomination and victory come as no surprise after having an amazing 2018-19 season. Kim topped the podium at five out of six events she entered, winning at a rate of 83%. Kim did not just win at elite level events against the best riders in the world, but she did it consistently, winning every major competition she entered from the 2018 X games to the 2019 FIS World Championships, completing over a full year of victories. This season Chloe has taken a break from competition to study at the prestigious Princeton University.
Chloe is in good company with a long list of world-class athletes taking home hardware. One highlight included Simone Biles, who continued her domination of the Laureus World Sports Awards where she was announced as the winner of her third Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award in four years, at the age of just 22.
For highlights, reaction and more information on the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards, visit laureus.com/world-sports-awards.
WINNERS
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
Laureus World Team of the Year: South Africa Men’s Rugby Team
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Egan Bernal
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Sophia Flörsch
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oksana Masters
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim
Laureus Best Sporting Moment: ‘Carried on the shoulders of a nation’ – Sachin Tendulkar
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Dirk Nowitzki
Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Spanish Basketball Federation
Laureus Sport for Good Award: South Bronx United
Hailing from Torrance, California, Chloe Kim began snowboarding at the age of four. By the age of 14, she had already made her mark on the sport by winning gold in the superpipe at the 2015 Winter X Games, becoming the youngest athlete to do so at that time and in turn, capturing the attention of the snowboarding world.
U.S. Athletes Honored at Newschoolers and SNOWBOARDER Awards
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 13 2020
In the midst of world-class freeski and snowboard competition at the 2020 Dew Tour, there were more than just podiums on the line. The best skiers and riders from all corners of their respective sports came together to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, both in competition and film. What many people don’t understand about U.S. Freeski and Snowboard athletes is that they excel far beyond slopestyle, halfpipe, and big air competition. Many extend their motivation and expertise into the world of film. Their hard work and the endless pursuit of their craft paid off at last week’s Newschoolers and SNOWBOARDER Awards.
SNOWBOARDER AWARDS
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the first annual SNOWBOARDER Awards took place in Copper Mountain’s East Village where winners received Shark Snowsurf rideable trophies. SNOWBOARDER’s Mary Walsh described the developing scene the best, “Snow was dumping, stacking up for a powder day of epic proportions. Vail Pass was closed. I-70 was, too. For a few hours, Copper was an island as the snow just kept coming down.” Copper Island was the stage for a celebration of sliding sideways, and U.S. Snowboard Team members Jamie Anderson, Red Gerard, Hailey Langland, and Luke Winkelmann were all recognized for their accomplishments.
On top of collecting her third consecutive contest victory in three weeks, Jamie was named "Women’s Rider of The Year," but not for the reason’s you make think.
“I feel so honored to win rider of the year,” said Jamie. “I worked super hard last season and I felt so grateful to feel the love and support of the snowboard community in the room. Filming for Unconditional was the best thing I’ve done in a while and I’m really excited to ride more backcountry!”
Jamie put her heart and soul into Unconditional and it paid dividends. She still has plenty of runway ahead of her in professional snowboarding, but when she does decide to hang it up, she will leave a legacy far beyond contest riding.
Another film highlighted was JOY, starring Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard and U.S Snowboard Team alumni Sage Kotsenburg and Ben Ferguson. Appearances included U.S. Snowboard Team member Hailey Langland and team alumni Danny Davis, Brock Crouch, Nik Baden, and Gabe Ferguson. JOY was named "Movie of the Year."
Like Anderson’s film, JOY highlights Gerard and company’s pursuit of bigger mountains, creative lines, and powder conditions. It may have been competition that brought these riders together, but it was the journey to find deep snow that banded them together for the film.
U.S. Snowboard Team member Luke Winkelmann was crowned "Men’s Fan Favorite." The snowboard phenom from North Carolina has been making a name for himself, collecting multiple top-ten World Cup finishes as well invites to prestigious events like X Games and Dew Tour. Luke has only brushed the surface of what should be a stellar and well-rounded snowboarding career.
The following day on Friday, Feb. 6, it was the freeskiers' time to shine at the 20th annual Newschoolers Awards. The ceremony followed a next-level powder day. It’s safe to say there were some jelly legs in the crowd, but that didn’t seem to affect the energy level in the room.
The night kicked off as U.S. Freeski Pro Team member and Olympian Caroline Claire earned the "Breakthrough Award."
“I want to say thank you to Newschoolers,” said Caroline. “I didn’t know this was an awards show, but maybe my name would just be posted on the internet,” Caroline said jokingly. “I want to thank my mom and dad, Faction skis for releasing a sick women’s segment in their movie The Collective. Special shout out to D-LO (Devin Logan), my hero.”
Later that evening, the all-female segment in The Collective was named the "Ladies Choice Best Female Edit," in which Caroline had a significant part.
The night continued with U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Hunter Hess earning the fan-voted "Trick of The Year" Award. Hunter landed a mind-melting triple Lincoln Loop on a natural quarter pipe as part of his short film Magma.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone here,” said Hunter. “This is surreal. Landing that trick was probably one of the best moments of my life. I was psyched to share it with all my best friends and now the whole Newschoolers community.”
Hunter went on to find more success alongside his friend and teammate Alex Hall as well as their filmer/editor Owen Dahlberg. Together, they not only won the "Highest Rated Video" Award, but also the "Best Short Film" Award. Hunter took the mic to offer up even more gratitude.
“This project was a bit of a dream for A-Hall and I, he said. “We talked about doing it for a long time and it took a while to get it together, but this year we decided to lock it down. Owen was super into it, and I think he made the whole thing happen for us. We couldn’t have had someone better on our team.”
Finally, Alex was also presented with the "Male Skier of the Year" Award. This came as no surprise as Alex has been on an absolute tear over the past two seasons. In 2019, Alex collected two X Games gold medals in both Aspen and Norway, won the Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover, and managed to put together two film parts in both Magma and Faction’s feature-length film The Collective, where he undoubtedly shined. In 2020, Alex continued is reign winning the 2020 Dew Tour streetstyle competition and earning second place in slopestyle.
Immediately following Dew Tour, Alex joined the Spyder Freeski Team, who also is the official apparel provider for the U.S. Freeski Team. His dedication to freeskiing and his overwhelming modesty makes him hard not to root for and he will surely be a great ambassador for Spyder Freeski.
Jamie Anderson receiving the SNOWBOARDER Women’s Rider of The Year Award. (SNOWBOARDER - Chris Wellhausen)
Red Gerard and the JOY crew receiving the SNOWBOARDER Movie of the Year Award. (SNOWBOARDER - Chris Wellhausen)
Caroline Claire receiving the Newschoolers Breakthrough Award. (Newschoolers)
Luke Winkelmann receiving the SNOWBOARDER Men’s Fan Favorite Award. (SNOWBOARDER - Chris Wellhausen)
Alex Hall, Hunter Hess, and Owen Dalhberg on the podium at the Newschoolers Awards. (Newschoolers)
Caroline Claire and the Faction crew receiving Ladies Choice Best Female Edit. (Newschoolers)
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
U.S. Rookie Team Athletes Shine at Mammoth Rev Tour
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 10 2020
Hunter Henderson in action during the men's freeski slopestyle finals at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland. (OIS -Ben Queenborough)
The second of three U.S. Rev Tour FIS NorAm events has come to a close at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. and there was no shortage of stand out performances by young skiers and riders. The U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Rookie Team athletes collected eight total podiums, two of which were wins by Hunter Henderson in slopestyle and big air. The 2020 Youth Olympic Games bronze medalist shared his thoughts about his experience.
“The Rev Tour has been great,” said Hunter. “I have had the chance to ski with a lot of kids I haven’t seen in a few months. To be back with the old crew is a great feeling. The weather has been awesome and the course has been great. Having had the chance to ski it during the grand prix was really helpful. After not doing so well there, it feels amazing to get some revenge this week with two wins in slope and big air. I think wanting to improve on my World Cup performance has been the biggest motivator throughout the Rev Tour.”
Hunter was not the only freeskier to find success as U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Rell Harwood took the top spot in women’s slopestyle. Rell has had an impressive season collecting top-ten finishes at the Visa Big Air World Cup presented by Land Rover, the Font Romeu, France Slopestyle World Cup, and the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix the week prior to Rev Tour.
"Mammoth was a lot of fun we had great weather," said Rell. "There were a lot of really talented girls out there. It was nice to have a little more time on the mammoth course after grand prix and put together a run I was stoked on. I was really happy with how I skied. I tried a new rail trick in my run and I was stoked with my result."
Over in the halfpipe, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Dylan Ladd earned third place and his brother Connor finished in a respectable fourth place.
“It feels great to be able to put a run down and walk away with a podium finish, especially with one of the cleaner runs I have done in a while,” said Dylan.“ The snow has been so soft, the skies were blue, and it has just been perfect conditions halfpipe competition.”
Moving over to snowboard competition, there was no shortage of American highlights including slopestyle wins by U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team members Dusty Henricksen and Jade Thurgood.
Dusty has been on a roll after winning the 2020 Youth Olympic Games gold and winning at the Mammoth Grand Prix. Jade’s win represented her first podium finish of the season and her second NorAm win of her career. She has been putting in time throughout the off-season with Slopestyle and Big Air National Development Coach Nichole Mason and it’s evident that hard work is paying off.
“The overall experience was great at Rev Tour,” said Jade. “I’m not gonna lie, there were a lot of breakdowns, especially during practice. I didn’t feel that my run would hold against some of the girls, so instead of stressing, I tried to go with the flow and listen to my coach Nichole. That strategy definitely paid off! At first, I didn’t realize that I won or that Ty got third, so I was super hyped when I found out I was sharing the podium with my teammate.”
The U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team also found success in big air claiming two third-place finishes by Jake Canter and Courtney Rummel.
The final Rev Tour NorAm event will take place at the state-of-the-art Woodward Park City facility March 1-6, hosting freeski and snowboard slopestyle and big air competition. Woodward continues to be an important partner to U.S. Ski & Snowboard and plays a critical role in the safe progression of U.S. skiers and riders. Click here to learn more about Woodward Park City.
Kanami Okuyama (left), Kanami Okuyama (center), and Courtney Rummel (right) on the snowboard big air podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Aoto Kawakami (left), Yuto Yamada (center), and Jake Canter (right) on the snowboard big air podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Mitsuki Ono (left), Ruki Tomita (center), and Alexandria Simsovits (right) the snowboard halfpipe podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Jenna Riccomini (left), Katie Summerhayes (center), and Megan Cressey (right) on the freeski big air podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Peter Raich (left), Hunter Henderson (center), and Emerson Lawton (right) on the freeski big air podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Rina Yoshika (left), Jade Thurgood (center), and Ty Schnorrbusch (right) on the snowboard slopestyle podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Fynn Bullock-Womble (left), Dusty Henricksen (center), and Emerson Lawton (right) on the snowboard slopestyle podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Kexin Zhang (left), Valeriya Demidova (center), and Meng Wu (right) on the freeski halfpipe podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Andrew Longino (left), Dylan Marineau (center), and Dylan Ladd (right) on the freeski halfpipe podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Katie Summerhayes (left), Rell Harwood (center), and Megan Cressey (right) on the freeski slopestyle podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Taipei Yamamoto (left), Hunter Henderson (center), and Rylan Evans (right) on the freeski slopestyle podium at the 2020 Mammoth Rev Tour. (U.S. Rev Tour)
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
49 U.S. Athletes Set To Compete in Calgary
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 10 2020
2019 Snow Rodeo World Cup venue in Calgary's Winsport Canada Olympic Park. (FIS - Mateusz Kielpinski)
Thirty-two freeskiers and 17 snowboarders will represent the U.S. at the Snow Rodeo FIS World Cup at Calgary, Alberta’s Canada Olympic Park Feb.12-16 in slopestyle and halfpipe competition. Athletes are looking forward to returning to the traditionally dialed venues.
“I’m excited to compete in Calgary again this season and continue this crazy back to back schedule,” said Olympic bronze medalist Brita Sigourney. “Last year, the temperatures were in the negative 20’s, and this year we are looking at positive temperatures, which is great to see. I think we are all ready to put it down at the last World Cup of the season.”
David Wise is the returning champion after battling through wind and snow to claim victory last season. Returning from a broken femur, David has had a tough stretch in 2020 since kicking off the season with a second-place finish at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colo. As he returns to familiar territory, he’ll look to earn his 17th career World Cup podium.
Teammate Aaron Blunck leads the FIS World Cup standings by a narrow margin ahead of Canada’s Noah Bowman, who is coming fresh of a win at Dew Tour. Also in looking good in the standings are U.S. Freeski Team members Birk Irving, Lyman Currier, and Taylor Seaton who are ranked third, fourth, and fifth respectively. Aaron is in a good position to claim the Crystal Globe, but will need to fend off a confident Noah on his home turf.
The U.S. Snowboard Team also has a strong contingent dropping into the Canada Olympic Park halfpipe. Rookie team members Tessa Maud, Jason Wolle, Lucas Foster, and Jack Coyne are all set to compete.
In slopestyle, the U.S. Freeski Team is rolling deep including Colby Stevenson, Deven Fagan, and Cody LaPlante who are currently all in the Top-10 of the FIS Cup Standings. Colby recently won both X Games Aspen and the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth. Joining Colby is teammate Alex Hall who is heading to Calgary fresh off a 1st place in streetstyle and a second place in slopestyle at the 2020 Dew Tour.
Representing the women is U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Caroline Claire along with rookie team members Marin Hamill, Rell Harwood, and Grace Henderson. Caroline is currently second in the World Cup Standings followed by Marin in third, and Rell in tenth.
In snowboard slopestyle, rookie team member Dusty Hendricksen is leading the charge after earning top honors at the Mammoth Grand Prix, which served as his first-ever World Cup podium. With consistent performances throughout the season, Dusty is currently first in the World Cup Standings.
Winsport Canada Olympic Park consistently puts together a world-class facility featuring Canada’s only 22 foot superpipe and a purpose-built competition slopestyle course that will push the athletes to the limit. Tune in live to catch all the action for the Calgary Snow Rodeo World Cup.
U.S. ATHLETES
Men’s freeski halfpipe
Hunter Hess - Pro Team
Aaron Blunck - Pro Team
Birk Irving - Pro Team
David Wise - Pro Team
Cassidy Jarrell - Rookie Team
Jaxin Hoerter - Rookie Team
Sammy Schuiling - Rookie Team
Hunter Carey - Rookie Team
Connor Ladd - Rookie Team
Dylan Ladd - Rookie Team
Lennon Vaughn
Aaron Durlester
Tristan Feinberg
Women’s freeski halfpipe
Devin Logan - Pro Team
Brita Sigourney - Pro Team
Abigale Hansen - Rookie Team
Riley Jacobs
Jennee Crane Mauzy
Men’s snowboard halfpipe
Jason Wolle - Rookie Team
Lucas Foster - Rookie Team
Jack Coyne - Rookie Team
Kolman Lecroy
Joey Okesson
Women’s snowboard halfpipe
Tessa Maud - Rookie Team
Kinsely White
Athena Comeau
Zoe Kalapos
Men’s freeski slopestyle
Nick Goepper - Pro Team
Willie Borm - Pro Team
Kiernan Fagan - Pro Team
Colby Stevenson - Pro Team
Alex Hall - Pro Team
Deven Fagan - Rookie Team
Hunter Henderson - Rookie Team
Cody LaPlante - Rookie Team
Tim Ryan
Peter Raich
Women’s freeski slopestyle
Caroline Claire - Pro Team
Marin Hamill - Rookie Team
Rell Harwood - Rookie Team
Grace Henderson - Rookie Team
Men’s snowboard slopestyle
Ryan Stassel - Pro Team
Sean Fitzsimons - Pro Team
Lyon Farrell - Pro Team
Judd Henkes - Pro Team
Jake Canter - Rookie Team
Dusty Henricksen - Rookie Team
Storm Rowe
Dave Retzlaff
Saturday, Feb. 15
3:00 p.m. - Men and women’s slopestyle, Calgary, Alberta - Olympic Channel, Olympic Channel.com, NBC Sports Gold
11:00 p.m. - Men and women’s slopestyle, Calgary, Alberta - NBCSN*
SNOWBOARD
Saturday, Feb. 15
8:00 p.m. - Men and women’s halfpipe, Calgary, Alberta - Olympic Channel, Olympic Channel.com, NBC Sports Gold
Sunday, Feb. 16
12:00 a.m. - Men and women’s halfpipe, Calgary, Alberta - NBCSN**
3:00 p.m. - Men and women’s slopestyle, Calgary, Alberta - Olympic Channel, Olympic Channel.com, NBC Sports Gold
All televised events to stream across NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, OlympicChannel.com, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA app
Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass, available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/snow.
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
Anderson, Voisin Podium on Final Day of Dew Tour
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 10 2020
Jamie Anderson competing in the 2020 Dew Tour slopestyle finals at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Mark Clavin)
U.S. Snowboard Team member Jamie Anderson earned her 11th Dew Tour Championship and her third win in three weeks on Sunday to close out the 2020 Dew Tour. As the weather took a turn, there were concerns around speed to clear the landings of the large jump features due to loose snow and wind. Together, Dew Tour organizers and competitors made the collaborative decision to eliminate the jump portion of the slopestyle course in the women’s freeski and snowboard final.
“With changing conditions, my plan today was the ‘no plan’ plan,” said Jamie. “I wanted to come up to the course to check the conditions and then see what I could link together. I hadn’t hit the wall ride all week or tried the switch 270 on the first rail. I was just happy to slowly put the pieces together. I have always loved the Dew Tour and think they do a good job of keeping it fun and creative. Also, the U.S. Snowboard Team is on fire right now. I was so proud of Red and Brock yesterday and I’m stoked with Hailey (Langland) and Jules (Marino) and our whole new generation of shredders.”
Jamie put her creativity and technical prowess on display as the only rider in the field to utilize the intimidating wallride feature with a beautiful nose slide. Jamie took the lead over Japanese rider Miyabi Onitsuka on her third run with a score of 92.66. Teammate Hailey Langland was also a strong contender landing two stylish runs with a great interpretation of the upper part of the course including a hip transfer nose grab to kick off her run.
Miyabi Onitsuka of Japan earned second and Anna Gasser of Austria closed out the podium in third. Hailey finished in a respectable sixth place.
U.S. Freeski Team member Maggie Voisin also kept her streak alive earning her third podium in three weeks with technical rail skiing and consistency landing all three of her runs. Maggie's third-place finish also served as her second consecutive Dew Tour podium.
“I’m happy that the girls are safe after skiing through some difficult conditions today,” said Maggie. “This is definitely the first rail jam contest I have done in a really long time. I’m super happy with another podium and more than anything, it’s amazing to be back and healthy again. My knee is feeling great!”
Maggie took full advantage of what the course had to offer, showcasing difficult tricks and big spins in both directions. Swiss freeskier Mathilde Gremaud topped the podium and Johanne Killi earned her second podium of the week with a second-place finish.
Although last week’s Dew Tour program offered up world-class competition and a sense of satisfaction for all the athletes, Maggie spoke to her favorite part of her week.
“I had the chance to ski neck-deep pow and throw backies with my U.S. Ski & Snowboard teammates and coaches,” said Maggie as she reflected on Friday’s amazing conditions. “It was perfect to have the chance to reset with an epic powder day.”
There is no doubt that heavy snow and wind caused some logistical challenges for Dew Tour organizers, but it may have been a blessing in disguise for the athletes. Skiers and riders from around the world are in the middle of a busy contest schedule that can take a toll on the mind and body. The consensus among the Dew Tour roster was that Friday’s cancellation resulted in a fantastic day of soul shredding for all.
U.S. Freeski and Snowboard athletes now head north to Calgary, Alberta Canada’s Canada Olympic Park for slopestyle and halfpipe FIS World Cup competition Feb. 12-16.
Maggie Voisin on the 2020 Dew Tour slopestyle podium at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Bryce Kanights)
Jamie Anderson on the 2020 Dew Tour slopestyle podium at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Aaron Dodds)
Maggie Voisin competing in the 2020 Dew Tour slopestyle finals at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Obermeyer)
The Hailey Langland cheer squad at the 2020 Dew Tour slopestyle finals at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Andrew Gauthier)
Maggie Voisin skiing neck-deep powder during Friday's cancellation day. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Dave Euler)
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
Gerard, Mastro, Hall Podium at Dew Tour
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 8 2020
Brock Crouch (left), Red Gerard (center), and Stale Sandbech (right) on the 2020 Dew Tour podium at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Aaron Dodds)
Red Gerard was the top finisher for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes on day three of the 2020 Dew Tour at Copper Mountain, Colo. Reminiscent of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, Red came in clutch on his final run to top the podium in front of his friends and family.
“I feel insane right now,” said Red. “I started off riding this morning and the course seemed slow due to fresh snow yesterday and didn’t think things were going to go my way. I can’t believe things worked out and I’m on the podium with my best friend (Brock Crouch). It’s my home turf, home mountain, my whole family was able to come out, and I’m sharing the podium with my best friend. What can I say? - I’m hyped.”
Red was in the top spot after run one, however, this wouldn’t last long as a collection of stellar runs immediately followed by the majority of the field. On Red’s last run, he would climb the ranks once again to his own disbelief. This win checks an important box for Red. He now has won three of five pinnacle snowboard events including Dew Tour, U.S. Open, and the Olympics. This is Red’s first Dew Tour medal.
U.S. Snowboard Team alumnus Brock Crouch finished second and Norwegian legend Stale Sandbech rounded out the podium in third.
Maddie Mastro also found success for the U.S. Snowboard Team, earning second place in the modified superpipe. Maddie’s top run included stylish frontside and backside alley-oops on the transition features as well as her signature method, a crippler, and a backside 540 in the traditional portion of the superpipe.
“Riding the modified superpipe today was awesome,” said Maddie. “I love being able to mix it up, be creative, and challenge myself, so I had a blast today. I had a lot of fun on the transition features. My goal was to utilize both sides and I wanted to flip them - I thought that would be fun. The flip got the best of me in the beginning, but I was able to tame it after that.”
Maddie was coming off a second-place finish at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif., where she landed her double crippler for the second time in the competition. Due to falls on her second and third runs, Maddie would not have the opportunity to land the double crippler at Dew Tour. Although Maddie may have been unable to put down the exact run she was looking for, there was a bright side in addition to her podium finish. That bright side’s name is Sonny Alba, a fellow Mammoth Lakes, Calif. athlete. Sonny is a 13-year-old shredder who has looked up to Maddie since she started riding halfpipe.
“I have watched Sonny Alba ride for the past five years, which is pretty much half her life,” said Maddie, laughing to herself. “It’s crazy for me and awesome to watch her progress and ride. I always thought she had this incredible potential and she was such a great all-around rider. It’s amazing to be able to witness her first big contest.”
The lights weren’t too bright for Sonny’s big Dew Tour debut as she landed frontside and backside 540’s, as well as a few hand plants with what seemed to be beautiful skateboarding inspired style.
“When I found out I had a spot in at Dew Tour, I was shocked,” said Sonny. “It was super last minute, about 9 p.m. last night. I grew up watching Maddie, so riding with her in today’s competition was a little nerve-racking, but also really exciting. I had a lot of fun today!”
Jiayu Liu of China earned first place and Queralt Castellet of Spain finished third.
U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Alex Hall also earned a second-place finish in slopestyle. Alex has been very successful this season in big air winning Norway X Games, the Modena, Italy World Cup, and the Visa Big Air presented by Landrover in Atlanta, Ga, but he has been struggling in slopestyle. Those struggles ended on Saturday.
“It feels so good to find a podium in slope, especially here at Dew Tour,” said Alex. “I wasn’t skiing my best at some of the slope competitions this year. Then I went and messed up my first run here, which made me incredibly nervous moving forward. I’m hyped I was able to put it down, especially with some difficult speed due to fresh snow. I’m so stoked.”
His run was displayed trademark A-Hall style with technical rails and jumps that included outrageous grab combinations. However, Alex wasn’t the only U.S. Freeski Team member skiing well and he made that clear speaking highly about his teammate Colby Stevenson.
“If Colby would have landed his second run clean, I believe he would have won easy,” said Alex. “He’s been skiing amazing. He’s such a boss and I love watching him out there.”
Prior to the Dew Tour, Colby earned two slopestyle wins in two weeks at X Games Aspen and the Mammoth Grand Prix. Announcer, former athlete, and professional freeskiing head judge Mike Atkinson claimed that the “trick du jour” was Colby’s 360 rail transfer that had even Colby’s fellow athletes animated in the finish area.
Norwegian freeskier Christian Nummedal won the event and Swiss Andri Ragetlli took third. Colby would finish fifth overall just ahead of teammate Nick Goepper in sixth.
Alex went on to win the street style event later that evening. In the same event and staying true to Alex’s previous comments, Colby continued his impressive skiing and earned the best trick award.
Back in the superpipe, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Abigale Hansen earned her best results of the season with a fourth-place finish. She shifted the contest into full gear with a solid run and the rest of the field followed suit. She improved her score every time she dropped into the pipe showing great consistency building on her run.
Canadian’s Cassie Sharpe and Rachael Karker finished first and second respectively and Zoe Atkin of Great Britain finished third. U.S. Freeski Team members Brita Sigourney and Devin Logan finished fifth and seventh respectively.
Competition continues at Dew Tour on Sunday with the men’s ski and snowboard modified superpipe final, as well as the women’s ski and snowboard slopestyle final. Head out to Copper Mountain or tune in live to catch all the action.
Queralt Castellet (left), Jiayu Liu (center), and Maddie Mastro (right) on the 2020 Dew Tour podium at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Aaron Dodds)
Andri Ragettli (left), Christian Nummedal (center), and Alex Hall (right) on the 2020 Dew Tour podium at Copper Mountain, Colo. (Dew Tour - Matt Sklar)
Sonny Alba (left) and Maddie Mastro (right) at the 2020 Dew Tour. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Andrew Gauthier)
The Gerard friends and family crew at the 2020 Dew Tour. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Andrew Gauthier)
Stale Sandbech hoisting winner Red Gerard over his shoulders at the 2020 Dew Tour. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Andrew Gauthier)
Freeskiers hanging out at the bottom of the slopestyle course at the 2020 Dew Tour. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Andrew Gauthier)
Alex Hall and Colby Stevenson discussing the competition at the bottom of the 2020 Dew Tour slopestyle course. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Andrew Gauthier)
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
Anderson Leads Dew Tour Team Challenge
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 6 2020
Jamie Anderson during snowboard slopestyle finals at the 2020 Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Sarah Brunson)
Double-Olympic gold medalist Jamie Anderson continued her hot-streak at the 2020 Dew Tour Thursday at Copper Mountain, Colo. Jamie led Team Oakley in the Team Challenge competition and earned her third win in three weeks.
“I’m stoked on Team Oakley grabbing the win today,” said Jamie. “The Team Challenge was super fun. It’s a really light vibe and a good atmosphere with all your friends. It felt great to have the whole Oakley Team out there supporting me. This event truly embodies the spirit of snowboarding.”
The Dew Tour Team Challenge consists of slopestyle, modified superpipe, and street style competition. Jamie was pulling double duty representing her team in both slopestyle and the street portion, yet she was able to win each competition and work towards the victory for Team Oakley. Today also marked the first time the world’s best female athletes represented their brands in the event alongside a male counterpart.
On the freeskiing end of the Team Challenge, no U.S. Freeski Team members walked away with a team victory, but there were some notable highlights. Representing Team Faction, Alex Hall was the winner of the slopestyle portion and landed a beautiful 270 on front side 630 off with a tail tap. Also, back-to-back X Games Aspen gold medalist Alex Ferreira landed a massive double-flat 720 with Japan grab out of the quarter pipe, and into the traditional portion of the superpipe despite speed challenges.
Team Volkl, led by captain Hunter Hess, was the host to U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Grace Henderson’s Dew Tour competition debut. With Alex, veteran and two-time Olympic medalist Nick Goepper, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Marin Hamill, and the 2018 Olympic slopestyle gold medalist Oystein Braaten from Norway, they may have very well been having more fun than anyone.
“I put in a lot of work out here,” said Hunter jokingly as he didn’t compete in any element of the Team Challenge contest. “The results today mainly fall on me, it’s all on my shoulders.”
The Team Challenge competition seemed to have temporarily lifted significant pressure off many of the athlete’s shoulders. Even Grace, who was competing in her first-ever Dew Tour, was all smiles during the halfpipe competition.
“This has been super fun,” said Grace. “This is actually my first pipe event and I would never think it would be at Dew Tour. I’m happy to be here with Alex and Nick trying to crush it for Team Volkl.”
While last week’s Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix resembled pristine spring conditions, day one of Dew Tour kicked off with relentless snowfall causing the cancellation of both snowboard and freeski slopestyle qualifications. However, the day finished strong with a complete freeski and snowboard Team Challenge program. Although skiers and riders only competed on the first four-features (rails) during the slopestyle portion of the competition due to challenging conditions, it still made for a great day of powdery competition.
Competition continues on Friday with the women’s ski modified superpipe final. Head out to Copper Mountain or tune in live to catch all the action.
Team Volkl (left), Team Atomic (center), and Team Faction (right) on the 2020 Dew Tour Team Challenge Podium. (Dew Tour - Ortiz)
Team Burton athletes supporting their fellow rider at the top of the slopestyle course during the 2020 Dew Tour Team Challenge. (Dew Tour - Yoshida)
Red Gerard during the 2020 Dew Tour Team Challenge. (Dew Tour - Mark Clavin)
Team Volcom (left), Team Oakley (center), and Team Burton (right) on the 2020 Dew Tour Team Challenge Podium. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Andrew Gauthier)
Meghan Tierney
A prov
Faye Thelen
Faye Gu
Lindsey Jacobellis
A defi
U.S. Skiers and Riders Send to Dew Tour
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 3 2020
The 2020 edition of the winter Dew Tour is set to kick off at a new location this year Feb.6-9 at Copper Mountain, Colo. with modified superpipe, slopestyle and Dew Tour’s signature Team Challenge competition. Although Copper may be a new host to Dew Tour, U.S. Freeski and Snowboard athletes are stepping back into familiar territory.
“I’m super excited to be heading to Copper Mountain for this year’s Dew Tour,” said U.S. Snowboard Team member Toby Miller. “It’s the first year the event has been here, and I can not wait to see what they have in mind for the modified halfpipe. I can’t think of a better location for this event to be hosted. The Woodward Crew has been doing such an amazing job on their parks and pipes for the last couple of years. This year’s Dew Tour is going to be all time!”
Joining Toby from the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team is last year’s second-place finisher Chase Josey, Jake Pates, and last week’s Mammoth Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix second-place finisher, Taylor Gold. Maddie Mastro, who is also coming off a second-place finish at the Mammoth USGP, will represent the women of the U.S. Snowboard Team. In addition, Jamie Anderson will compete in her first-ever modified superpipe event. Maddie was second at last year’s Dew Tour, and also is coming hot off landing her first double crippler in halfpipe competition since winning the 2019 U.S. Open.
Over in snowboard slopestyle, the U.S. roster is stacked including Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard, Olympic silver medalist Kyle Mack, Lyon Farrell, Luke Winkelmann, and last week’s Grand Prix third-place finisher Judd Henkes. 2020 X Games and Mammoth Grand Prix winner Jamie Anderson will lead with women of the U.S. Snowboard team along with style master Hailey Langland and the 2020 Laax Open Champion Julia Marino.
The U.S. Freeski Team is not holding back leading into Dew Tour with a strong list of heavy hitters set to compete led by two-time X Games gold medalist and defending Dew Tour champion Alex Ferreira. Joining Alex is the current FIS World Cup Standings leader Aaron Blunck and U.S. Freeski Pro Team members David Wise, Hunter Hess, Lyman Currier, Taylor Seaton and Birk Irving. For the women, Brita Sigourney, Devin Logan and rookie team member Abigale Hansen are set to drop into the Dew Tour modified pipe.
In slopestyle, the U.S. has a trio of all-stars heading into Dew Tour including last year’s slopestyle silver medalist Alex Hall, two-time Olympic medalist Nick Goepper, and the double 2020 X Games gold medalist Colby Stevenson. Colby is coming into Dew Tour after earning his second podium in two weeks at the Mammoth Grand Prix with a second-place finish. Maggie Voisin and Caroline Claire will represent the Women’s U.S. Freeski Team. Maggie has also earned two podiums in two weeks with third-place finishes at X Games and the Grand Prix.
More than 150 athletes representing 20 different countries will compete at Copper Mountain throughout Dew Tour in their amazing facilities. This year’s Modified Superpipe will start with a double transition feature to a 22-foot pipe hit with a traditional jump landing feature and will finish with a 300-foot traditional Superpipe with 22-foot walls. The Slopestyle course has seven features, including three multi-option jib pads, a transition feature with 13’ walls into traditional jump landings, then concludes with a series of three consecutively larger jumps at 55 ft, 62 ft, and 68 ft.
Do not miss your chance to catch the action in person or tune in to catch the action live.
HOW TO WATCH Winter Dew Tour will be live-streamed in its entirety on DewTour.com, Facebook Live, YouTube
Subject to change
All times MST
Henricksen, Anderson, Blunck Victorious at Mammoth Grand Prix
By Andrew Gauthier
February, 1 2020
Ryoma Kimata (left), Dusty Henricksen (center), and Judd Henkes (right) on the snowboard slopestyle podium at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Sarah Brunson)
The final day of the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix did not disappoint with U.S. skiers and riders claiming five podiums throughout snowboard slopestyle and freeski halfpipe World Cup competition.
Despite a 4.4 magnitude earthquake in the midst of the event, U.S. Snowboard Team riders Jamie Anderson and rookie Dusty Henricksen took the top spots in slopestyle. Dusty, a Mammoth Lakes, Calif. local, earned his first-ever World Cup win in only his second World Cup final of his career.
“I’m ecstatic to pull up to Mammoth where I grew up riding and walk away with my first win,” Dusty said in disbelief. “I honestly couldn’t ask for more. It could not have been a better day or a better course. It’s super flowy, fun, and fast. It meant the world to have all my boys and supporters out here watching.”
After Dusty stomped the final run of the day to take the top spot with a beautiful backside triple cork 1440, you heard a loud, “We all knew” come from Dusty’s fan base in the finish area. Coming off of Youth Olympic Games gold and then qualifying first at the Laax Open World Cup, Dusty’s trajectory was clear to anyone who has been watching his progress. Dusty currently leads the FIS Snowboard World Cup slopestyle standings, followed by Judd Henkes in second.
Judd, who also calls Mammouth Mountain home, grabbed third. This is Judd’s second podium in two years at the Mammoth Grand Prix and his second-consecutive podium in World Cup slopestyle competition this season after a third-place finish at the 2020 Laax Open.
“I think being at home in familiar territory played a part in my success these last two Grand Prixs at Mammoth,” said Judd. “I’m headed to Dew Tour next week and hope to improve on my performance here.”
After earning his third World cup podium of his career, it’s clear Judd’s still hungry for the remainder of the 2019-20 competition season including pinnacle events like Dew Tour and the U.S. Open.
For the women, Jamie Anderson earned her second win in two weeks following a gold medal performance at X Games Aspen. In her first World Cup slopestyle of the year, she came out firing with smooth style and consistency in classic Jamie fashion.
“Coming to Mammoth after X Games is really nice because its really positive energy in California,” said Jamie. “It’s warm, our whole teams here, and I love competing in the Grand Prix. To be able to put down my first run and stay in first and have the chance to take a victory lap feels amazing. What made today even more special was my dad, my doctor, my first ever coach, and a lot of good people were able to come out to support today.”
Competition continued on Saturday with arguably the best freeski halfpipe contest of the season where Aaron Blunck took the victory. Aaron has reached the podium in every contest he has competed in this season (five events) including an X Games silver medal performance last week.
“After the first run today I was feeling it,” said Aaron. “I just thought to myself, why not give it everything I got. I am feeling really good right now and I don’t ever back down. That’s just not the type of person I want to be. I thought my dad would be extremely proud of me if I continued to give it my all and that’s what I did. Also, to share the podium with Noah Bowman and Lyman Currier is amazing, I look up to them both.”
Head freeski judge Steele Spence described Aaron's runs as, “three of the best pipe runs of all time. They were the hardest runs and he executed them perfectly.”
Aaron came out of the gate on a mission immediately putting down an incredible run, but that was just the beginning. Aaron improved each time he dropped into the pipe. His second and third runs were entirely made up of double-cork variations. Aaron owned the three highest scores of the day.
Teammate Lyman Currier stepped up on his last run to earn third place and his second World Cup podium of the season.
“I’m feeling awesome to make the podium today,” said Lyman. “It was such a heavy competition today and a beautiful day in Mammoth. It seemed to be a competition for second place today. Blunck was on one and it was insane.”
The competition undoubtedly had some amazing moments including U.S. Freeski Team member Hunter Hess landing a 1620 on his run. Kiwi Nico Porteous landed a 1620 rotation at X Games last week for the first time in halfpipe competition.
Led by Aaron, there are currently seven U.S. Freeski Team athletes in the top-10 of the FIS Freeski Halfpipe Cup Standings including Birk Irving, Lyman Currier, Taylor Seaton, Jaxin Hoerter, David Wise, and Hunter Hess.
For the women, U.S. Freeski Team member Brita Sigourney finished in a respectable fourth place landing back to back 900’s in her second and third run. U.S. Rookie Team member Hanna Faulhaber finished in seventh in her first-ever World Cup final.
The U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Slopestyle and Halfpipe Team continue competition next week at the Dew Tour in Copper Mountain, Colo. In addition, U.S. athletes are also heading to the Calgary World Cup for freeski halfpipe competition.
Jamie Anderson and Dusty Henricksen at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Sarah Brunson)
Aaron Blunck at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Sarah Brunson)
Noah Bowman (left), Aaron Blunck (center) and Lyman Currier on the freeski halfpipe podium at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Sarah Brunson)
Laurie Blouin (left), Jamie Anderson (center), and Katie Ormerod on the snowboard slopestyle podium at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard - Sarah Brunson)
