by The Editors on January 29, 2008
After watching Steve Fisher fall in both his qualifying runs during the X Games and then seeing Shaun White dominate past all possible criticism, we find ourselves laughing out loud at some of Fisher’s quotes:
“It’s not just Shaun White,” Fisher said before this year’s Winter X Games. “Shaun White tends to get all the credit for snowboarding, but there’s a list of at least 20 people capable of doing amazing things. I always compare snowboarding to the PGA Tour: any one of these guys can win in any contest on any given day. It just depends on what kind of day they’re having.”
Apparently, Fisher was having a bad day at the 2008 Winter X Games.
[Link: CBS 4 Denver]
by The Editors on January 28, 2008
This from Ben Pruess’ Facebook status update after a day at ISPO:
The whole snowboarding industry looks like it has barfed on its clothes.
[Link: Facebook]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
With the cornball headline “Feats on Snowboard Keep Skateboard Star Warm” the Washington Post does it’s duty to cover the X Games.
“There’s always something to look forward to,” said White, who will compete in X Games 12 today in the snowboarder X, snowboard slopestyle and snowboard big air, along with the snowboard superpipe tomorrow.
“Those summer months are reeeal good,” he continued. “But then you hear about all your friends being up in the mountain, it’s a nice change. But definitely by the end of the winter, I’m over it and want to get on that skateboard and be in the sun.”
Asked which sport he enjoyed more, White leaned more toward skateboarding. But he would focus only on skateboarding if it becomes an Olympic sport. If that happened, White said he would take a year off to focus on it entirely.
[Link: Washington Post]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
From Boardsport Source:
After six incredible years of hard work and effort put into the successful creation of the TTR, on Thursday the 24th of January 2008, Drew Stevenson tendered his resignation from his position as CEO of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour.
[Link: Boardsport Source]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
Shaun White has signed a new 10-year deal with Burton Snowboards.
Shaun White had this to say about the deal, “I started riding for Burton when I was seven years old and Jake’s support has always been there. We have some big plans for The White Collection and I can’t think of a better home for me for the future. Thanks again, Jake!”
Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards, had this to say, “Where do I even begin to comment on Shaun? Of course, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him for another decade. I’ve watched Shaun grow up from a little grom who wasn’t afraid to push himself in the halfpipe to one of the most recognized athletes in all of action sports. I mean, to be such a talented rider and skateboarder and to contend in every competition you enter is pretty insane. But, if you think Shaun’s riding is impressive, you should check out his design skills. His products are fresh, functional and loaded with style, just like his riding.”
But the big question: was this a $20 million dollar deal? Or was it for more? We’ll have to wait and see. It is interesting to note that this contract will take Shaun through the next three winter and summer Olympics. Follow the jump for the entire press release.
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by The Editors on January 26, 2008
In the world of action sports Bnqt.com has been a bit of an outsider. Founded by a former AOL Sports-man, the site featured viral video of action sports along with a user-generated content community. Though the site never gained any traction, recognition, or significant traffic, it was still acquired by USA Today for an undisclosed amount of money.
“USA TODAY’s acquisition of Banquet is another example of the innovative ways we are trying to diversify our audience,” said Craig Moon, president and publisher of USA TODAY. “We believe that action sports are a dynamic and exciting category and that we have found an excellent stand alone brand which truly resonates with the youth audience.”
This purchase shows how desperate old media is to get involved with “the kids.” And to think, Time Warner sold their “action sports” sites a little less than a year ago. Then again, this certainly gives us hope. . .
[Link: CNNMoney.com]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
According to a story in USA Today more people have been killed so far this year in avalanches than all of last season. So far over half have been snowmobilers.
“We had storm after storm after storm,” says Mark Moore, director of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center in Seattle, an agency administered by the U.S. Forest Service. “People are out there and they don’t know where to go, because avalanches are all around them. So there were some bad decisions.”
According to Avalanche.org 23 people have died since December 18, 2007. Hopefully, this don’t become a record year.
[Link: USA Today]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
From The New York Times:
“A lot of stuff that we’re doing now is opening the eyes of the general public, especially the youth, that skiing is not just a dorky sport anymore,” said Peter Olenick, who won bronze in superpipe at the 2007 Games. “We can do all the stuff snowboarders do, only better.”
Yeah, Peter, keep telling yourself that and we’ll keep laughing our asses off when we watch you heading into jumps butt-first, with your poles out.
[Link: The New York Times]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
For a couple years now the action sports world has been glomming onto celebrities during the annual Sundance Film Festival because, well there is snow and dude, like, celebrities move proddy.
This entourage makes us actually feel bad for Adrian Grenier. He doesnot look happy about his Grenade ambush.
[Link: New York Mag]
by The Editors on January 23, 2008
What do you know, it appears that SIA has jumped on the “green” wagon. Because it’s so marketable these days. For all the leafy details follow the jump.
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