Chelone “Chilly” Miller, 29, was found dead in the van where he lived in Mammoth Lakes, California on Sunday afternoon, April 7, 2013, according to a story in the San Francisco Chronicle. Miller, the brother of Olympic skier Bode Miller, was working toward making the 2014 US Olympic Team in snowboard cross.
According to the statement, the sheriff’s office dispatch received a call around 12:45 p.m. Sunday regarding an unresponsive male in his van. Paramedics, the fire department and deputies were dispatched to the scene, whereupon arrival “it was determined that Mr. Miller was deceased,” the statement said.
According to a story on ESPN.com/Action, Miller was found by a close friend.
Miller — affectionately known as “Chilly” — played golf Friday and spent Saturday lapping the resort’s terrain park. He had planned to fly to Alaska to compete in the Arctic Man race on Friday, an event that pairs snowmobilers with skiers and snowboarders who reach speeds in excess of 80 mph. “He was a very talented snowboarder and a great friend,” said John Teller, a Mammoth-based skicross racer who won X Games gold in 2011.
No foul play is suspected in Miller’s death. According to ESPN he had a “history of seizures” following a 2005 motorcycle crash that left him in a coma for 11 days. Our thoughts are with Miller’s friends and family.
What do you know. Billabong has apparently gone into “exclusive discussions” for a 10-day period with Paul Naude and his big wallet backers (Sycamore Partners) regarding a $299 million purchase of the Billabong brand, according to a story on Fox Business.
The cash offer values the company at about 287 million Australian dollars (US$299 million) excluding debt, confirming a report by The Wall Street Journal on Monday. . . A separate consortium involving VF Corp. (VFC), the owner of brands including The North Face and Timberland, and Altamont Capital Partners had earlier made an indicative offer to acquire Billabong but has now been frozen out of talks.
Of course the founders of Billabong (Gordon Merchant, et. al.) would want one of their lieutenants to buy the company back now that they’ve drained every drop of shareholder value out of the company. Doing a deal with VF Corp., while arguably being better for the brand’s future survival, would mean the old guard would all be out of the mix. And it seems the old guard is still at the wheel of Billabong’s ship.
This is how Adriano Lachovski won the 2013 Phoenix Am contest on Sunday, April 7, 2013. For complete results and coverage click the link. For the final results click here.
Why wouldn’t they mix the Grateful Dead’s Steal Your Face logo with The Hundreds bomb and then do an entire collection with a release date set for April 20, 2013? Here’s what Bobby says:
The Hundreds X Grateful Dead is perhaps one of our most exciting endeavors to date. The collection comprises a full range of graphic tees, tanks, specialty shirts (one raglan and one button-up), sweatshirts, a jacket, hats (one snapback and one beanie), a sneaker (limited to 100 pairs), a keychain and a sticker pack––featuring original The Hundreds graphics inspired by the band’s illustriously eclectic aesthetic, as well as a recurring tie-dye motif. View a sampling of the collection below, available 4/20.
The sneakers look nice. Anyone need a miracle? Click the link for the official word from The Hundreds.
Do we really need to say anything else? Richie Jackson and Sierra Fellers on the bottle table with Erica Yary and Rob Brink. Yep, we’re even more stoked on Richie now. . .
ZoSea Media’s outsider approach to staffing their Association of Surfing Professionals tour property continues with the addition of Michael Lynch as its Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer. Lynch previously worked for Visa (for 17 years) where he “led the company’s global sponsorship marketing/management strategy and execution including activations with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup, NFL and numerous other properties.”
“Michael is a highly respected global marketer, a top influencer in the sports industry and a leader in building brands,” ASP CEO Paul Speaker said. “His extensive experience and expertise identifying and activating sponsorships with the most recognizable sports properties in the world make him the ideal candidate for the position and an invaluable asset to ASP. He will play a vital role with ASP as we continue to build our infrastructure and grow the organization to better benefit our surfers, sponsors and fans.”
It will be interesting to see how this all turns out for the ASP. One thing seems apparent–Zosea is not screwing around when it comes to thinking outside the surf industry box Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
“I am very excited to be involved with the Vermont Peanut Butter Company from the ground floor,” Jones says. “I told Chris I probably eat more peanut butter than anyone I know, it’s a super food that keeps me alive in the mountains and at home. Chris and I share the same passion for authenticity, and being healthy, and I think what he has done with a category that has been stale for years is amazing. This is the perfect opportunity for me to use my skills to help grow The VTPB Endorsed Athlete Program, a challenge that I will take on like any big mountain.”
This is one more reminder that professional athletes don’t have to sell out to companies promoting poison that makes kids fat and gives them diabetes 2. Thanks, Mr. Jones. For the official word, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
After 13 years as the front man at Electric, CEO Bruce Beach is flipping the switch and exiting from the brand he co-founded with longtime friend Kip Arnette.
“I am incredibly proud of the brand’s success and the work my team and I have accomplished since we first launched the Volt at the SIA snow show in March2000. It has been an incredible ride from the early start-up years, through the acquisition by Volcom, and eventually becoming acquired by PPR, now Kering”, said Bruce Beach. “I am equally proud of the recent brand reset the team and I have begun”. . . “I would like to thank my family and friends that have supported Electric since day one, and each and every one that has helped us build Electric into the iconic brand that it has become”, continued Beach. “I’m confident that I’m leaving Electric in the best possible position for future growth, with a core group of leaders in place and at a time that also works best for me. I’m looking forward to watching Electric flourish in the coming months and years with the support of Kering, and I’m very excited about writing the next chapter in my career.”
Starting immediately current Electric Chief Commercial Officer Eric Crane will step in as CEO. For the official word from Electric, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
