U.S. Snowboarding Heads into X Games
Park City, Utah - With the X Games set to open Thursday, U.S. Snowboarding rolls directly from the World Championships in Switzerland to Aspen, CO for the 11th year of Winter X.
Featuring halfpipe, snowboardcross and slopestyle, the invite-only X Games brings some of the best riders world-wide, including U.S. Snowboarding talent and past X champions Hannah Teter (halfpipe '04;Belmont, VT), Gretchen Bleiler (halfpipe '03,'05; Aspen, CO), Steve Fisher (halfpipe '04; Breckenridge, CO), Nate Holland (SBX '06; Squaw Valley, CA) and three-time gold medalist Lindsey Jacobellis (SBX '03-'05; Stratton Mountain, VT).
Also in the lineup is seven-time X medalist Seth Wescott (SBX; Carrabassett Valley, ME), and last year's halfpipe bronze medalist Scotty Lago (halfpipe, slopestyle; Seabrook, NH), plus a bevy of heavy hitters like Shaun Palmer (SBX, South Lake Tahoe, CA), Louie Vito (halfpipe; Bellefontaine, OH) and Molly Aguirre (halfpipe, slopestyle; Mammoth Lakes, CA).
"Our athletes always look forward to the X Games," said U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach Peter Foley. "A medal here is high on their list of things to accomplish."
In its seventh consecutive year of hosting the X Games, Aspen has built a reputation for big crowds and big TV time bringing snowboarding - and the pros the make it huge - to the masses, making it a must-make contest for U.S. riders.
The 2007 event also marks the return of Teter, Bleiler and Jacobellis, who opted to sit out in 2006 to rest up for the Olympic Games. The decision paid off as Teter boosted Olympic gold in halfpipe with Bleiler right behind her with silver. For Jacobellis, who defended her SBX World Championship last week and claimed silver in Torino, the only X Games she hasn't won was last season.
"Despite low snow levels and canceled competitions we've had a really strong start to the season, and now the athletes are really excited get to a venue that has a bunch of snow. Everyone has high hopes for a great SBX course and halfpipe," added Foley.
The 11th Annual X Games open Thursday, Jan. 25 with women's halfpipe and continue through Sunday.
11th Annual X Games Schedule:
Thursday, Jan. 25 - Women's Halfpipe
Saturday, Jan. 27 - Men's/Women's Slopestyle
- Men's/Women's Snowboardcross
Sunday, Jan. 28 - Men's Halfpipe
Expected U.S. Snowboarding Lineup:
Men's Halfpipe:Tommy Czeschin, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Steve Fisher, Breckenridge, CO
Mike Goldschmidt, Stratton Mountain, VT
Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH, halfpipe
Louie Vito, Bellefontaine, OH, halfpipe
Men's SBX:Alex Deibold, Manchester Center, VT
Nate Galpin, Hailey, ID
Jason Hale, Sierraville, CA
Nate Holland, Squaw Valley, CA
Ben Jacobellis, Winhall, VT
Shaun Palmer, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Mark Schulz, Lake Oswego, OR
Jason Smith, Basalt, CO
Graham Watanabe, Sun Valley, ID
Seth Wescott, Carrabassett Valley, ME
Men's Slopestyle
Scotty Lago, Seabrook, NH
Women's HalfpipeMolly Aguirre, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Clair Bidez, Minturn, CO
Gretchen Bleiler, Aspen, CO
Tricia Byrnes, Stratton Mountian, VT
Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT
Hannah Teter, Belmont, VT
Women's SBXJoanie Anderson, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, Girdwood, AK
Jordan Karlinski, Aspen, CO
Marni Yamada, Seattle, WA
Women's SlopestyleMolly Aguirre, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, VT
Louie Vito: Wall jam at Marc Frank’s Block at Tahoe rail jam