by The Editors on February 28, 2014
Former Olympic ski racer Tiger Shaw will assume the role of CEO of the US Ski and Snowboard Association beginning March 13, 2014. He is replacing Bill Marolt in what the USSA calls a “long-planned leadership transition.” Marolt will reportedly stay on in an advisory position with USSA as well as on all the big deal FIS and US Olympic organizational committees that he’s on. Shaw couldn’t be happier with his new job.
“The Best in the World vision established under Bill Marolt’s leadership has aided our athletes in achieving their dreams,” Shaw says. “It’s an honor to follow in Bill’s footsteps and continue that vision into the future. My last five months working with Bill have been inspirational and educational, getting to know the organization and each of its sport programs. We have an amazing management team and staff in place and I look forward to the challenge of leading the USSA.”
Nice to know the future of US Olympic snowboarding continues to be firmly gripped in the icy hands of another Alpine ski racer, right where it belongs.
by The Editors on February 27, 2014
On Saturday, March 8, 2014 BC, Canada’s Red Mountain will host B4BC’s Shred The Love, presented by The North Face.
RED Mountain Resort will donate 50 percent of its day ticket revenue to help raise funds for several of B4BC’s initiatives, including scholarships through the Survivorship Fund to ReTreat Yourself, a yoga, ski and snowboard retreat for women who have been affected by breast cancer. Activities at RED that day will include ski and snowboard demos as well as breast cancer screening information booths. Top skiers and snowboarders including Megan Pischke, Kendra Starr and Kasha Rigby will be in attendance. The day will end with an après-ski party at Rafters bar with national recording artist Pickwick, whose recent hit song “Hacienda Motel” has been on the top of critics’ song lists over the last year.
For more info on a good day for a great cause, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 27, 2014
Garmin, makers of some of the finest GPS devices known to man, has partnered with Burton Snowboards to be the official action camera sponsor of the 32nd Annual US Open of Snowboarding Championships (sorry GoPro).
“We are extremely excited to announce this partnership with Burton and be a part of such a prestigious snowboarding event,” said Jon Cassat, Garmin vice president of communications. “With the rugged housing, extended battery life, and the ability of VIRB Elite to capture GPS data like elevation, speed and G-force on the mountain, Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite are the perfect HD action cameras for any snowboarder, and we’re eager to showcase them at the event.”
Not only that, thanks to the GPS the camera will automatically shut off while you’re riding up the lift and pop back on while you’re sliding down. How’s that for auto pilot? We haven’t tested the Virb cameras yet, but we’re looking forward to it. For the official word from Garmin, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 25, 2014
We ride on them, over them, and through them. We eat them and throw them, but this is what it looks like to grow them. Snowflakes, that is. Put on your headphones and begin tripping.
by The Editors on February 25, 2014
Matthew Robinson, a member of Australia’s paralympic snowboard team has died from injuries he sustained during a race in Spain earlier this month, according to a story in the The Australian.
Robinson was hospitalized for eight days in Barcelona after being injured on February 12 while competing at the IPC World Cup finals in La Molina, Spain. He was then cleared by medical staff to be transported by air ambulance to Melbourne. . . The APC said Robinson went into cardiac arrest during a scheduled refueling stop in Kuwait and couldn’t be revived. . . Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, said: “The whole of the Paralympic Movement is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Matthew’s fiancee, family, friends and teammates at this difficult time.
Our thoughts are with Robinson’s family and friends.
[Link: The Australian]
by The Editors on February 24, 2014
Burton’s 32nd Annual US Open of Snowboarding from Vail, Colorado (yeah, that still trips us up) will be getting the full TV treatment on Fox Sports 2 as the network announced today (February 24, 2014) that they will be pumping out five hours of live coverage beginning Friday, March 7, 2014 at 10:30 AM PT.
The deal is part of a larger partnership between Burton Snowboards and FOX Sports, with additional coverage of Burton’s iconic Global Event Series on FOX Sports 2 and FOX Sports Regional Sports Networks throughout the year, including the Burton US Open Snowboarding Qualifiers, Burton European Open, Burton Rail Days, Burton High Fives and more. . . Veteran snowboard TV host Preston Strout calls the play-by-play, while Tom Monterosso, Snowboarder Magazine Editor, provides analysis from the booth.
For the official word from Burton including a complete schedule (yes, it’s next week), follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 24, 2014
Each year the Snow Industries of America (SIA) gives out awards to the raddest retailers and reps in the snow business. No, they don’t call it that. They call them Retailers and Reps of the year. Either way, these are the good people who keep this industry rolling. For real. Follow the jump to see if your favorite shop or rep made the list. Our’s did. Hint: It’s in Seattle, Washington. . . [click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 20, 2014
Thanks, Yobeat, for keeping us in the laugh track on a Thursday afternoon. “S’posed to be pretty good weather tomorrow. . . “
by The Editors on February 20, 2014
Yes, she was. With her gold medal and everything. Plus, regardless of what some may be saying, Jamie Anderson stomp her run on the big man side of the slopestyle jump line.
by The Editors on February 20, 2014
The New York Time’s John Branch looks into the issue of women getting hurt riding the same terrain as the men during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. In other Alpine sports (like the downhill) women have their own courses, but not in snowboarding.
Through Monday night, a review of the events at the Extreme Park counted at least 22 accidents that forced athletes out of the competition or, if on their final run, required medical attention. Of those, 16 involved women. The proportion of injuries to women is greater than it appears given that the men’s fields are generally larger.
Branch looks into these issues and more and comes to no real conclusion. If he did someone would probably get mad and call him sexist. But his story is still worth a read, especially if you winced occasionally during the women’s slopestyle, halfpipe, and boardercross events.
[Link: New York Times]
