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News: Win A Trip To Ultima Thu News: Win A Trip To Ultima Thule Lodge In AK Through Protect Our Winters

From: TetonGravityResearch
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA –Protect Our Winters, the global climate change nonprofit and Alaska’s premier wilderness lodge, Ultima Thule, have launched the Jeremy Jones Ultima Thule Adventure, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two to snowboard and adventure with pro snowboarder, Jeremy Jones in Alaska’s Wrangell/St. Elias mountains, hosted by the Ultima Thule Lodge.

The all inclusive, four-day package includes being able to snowboard with Jeremy Jones, the star of Further, the snowboard adventure epic currently in theaters. Jones filmed some of the segments near Ultima Thule in the Wrangells and called the mountain range the “steepest, most unexplored terrain he’s ever seen.”

Ultima Thule Lodge is a luxury wilderness adventure outpost located deep in the 13.2 million acre Wrangell St-Elias National Park; part of the largest protected land mass on earth. The Lodge sits 100 miles from the nearest road and is only accessible by bush plane. Remote, yet refined the Lodge was named in the “BEST PLACES TO VISIT” by National Geographic Traveler magazine.

All-inclusive packages feature gourmet Alaskan fare, first-class bush lodging and highlight exclusive airplane safari adventures. The lodge also boasts a family of internationally acclaimed pilots and a small fleet of specialized bush aircraft that can land on and off the snow covered glaciers and alpine tundra.

“We’re just thrilled that Ultima Thule came to us with this idea. With the stoke level of Further as high as it can be now, we’re so excited to bring it to life and offer an opportunity to the snow sports community to win this dream trip. 100% of every contribution will be directly placed towards our efforts to protect places like the Wrangells from climate change”, said Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director at Protect Our Winters.

In addition to the Ultima Thule Lodge package, the winner will receive a Jones snowboard, Vans Cirro snowboard boots, Jeremy’s backcountry gear from Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd and $500 travel credit to Valdez, AK, where the adventure begins.

To enter, donate $5 to Protect Our Winters at: http://www.protectourwinters.org/ultima_thule/ 

To keep the chances of winning exciting, they are limiting the number of contributions at 5,000 total. The contest runs though February 15th, 2013.

Ultima Thule Lodge: A remote paradise lies deep in the Alaskan Wilderness, accessible only by bush plane. Immersed in extreme nature, you will discover an outpost designed for adventure and enhanced by comfort, 100 miles from the nearest road. Three generations of family have called this pristine wilderness home and strive to protect and preserve it for the ones yet to come. For more information, visit: http:// www.ultimathulelodge.com & www.farfargnargnar.com

Protect Our Winters (POW) is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united together towards a common goal of reducing climate change's effects on our sport and mountain economies. Founded in 2007, POW re-invests contributions in educational initiatives, activism and supporting community-based initiatives. For more information, visit www.protectourwinters.org. Stay in touch on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/protectourwinters.
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News: Mike Riddle, Maddie Bowm News: Mike Riddle, Maddie Bowman Crowned Champions At Copper

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Copper Mountain, CO - The first stop of the 2013 The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series (PPOS) concluded Sunday in chilly temperatures with variable light conditions at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Over $10,000 in prize money and swag was awarded to the top finishers including The North Face athletes Mike Riddle, of Whistler, BC, and Maddie Bowman, of South Lake Tahoe, CA, who both took first place.

On Saturday, 62 male and 23 female athletes from around the globe including the United States, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Russia and more skied in a highly competitive qualifier day. The men were divided into three heats with the top four scores in each heat moving on to the finals as well as the next top four male scores. A total of 16 men advanced to Sunday’s final round. Twelve women also progressed to the finals, vying to win the first Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) U.S. event of the season.

Men’s champion Mike Riddle started off his winning run with a left-side double cork 1260 mute grab. He then executed a clean right-side 900 tail grab moving into a left-side 900 opposite Japan grab. An alley-oop flat spin 360 bow-and-arrow-grab led to his final trick, a switch left-side 900 mute grab. The run earned Riddle a high score of 90.

“The PPOS Finals at Copper Mountain went down amazingly well with athletes competing at a top level for any standard,” said PPOS Head Judge Steele Spence with AFP. “This open series format is so important for up-and-coming freeskiers to have the opportunity to compete alongside the pros. In addition, athletes at Copper were able to earn both FIS and AFP points.”

Rounding out the men’s podium in second place was Peter Crook of the British Virgin Islands scoring an 86.4. Finally, U.S. Freeskiing Rookie Team athlete Aaron Blunck out of Crested Butte, Colorado took the third place spot with a score of 84.6.

U.S Freeskiing team member Maddie Bowman placed herself on top of the women’s podium with a run consisting of a straight-air tail grab, a left-side 900, a right-side 540, a left-side 540 mute grab, a right-side 720 and capped off her first place run with a smooth switch left-side 540 scoring a 85.8.

Anais Caradeaux of France took second place with an 81.4 followed by Angeli VanLaanen, former World Cup Superpipe Champion out of Salt Lake City, UT, who scored an 80.8.

A one-hour broadcast of The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series event at Copper Mountain will air on the CBS Sports Network Dec. 23, 2012 at 1pm EST and again on Dec. 25 (time TBD).
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News: The North Face Park And News: The North Face Park And Pipe Open Series Kicks Off At Copper Mountain

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Salt Lake City, Utah — The first stop of the 2013 The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series (PPOS) kicks off with an exciting halfpipe competition at Copper Mountain, Colo. on Dec. 8-9, 2012. The North Face PPOS allows top-level professionals and up-and-coming freeskiing athletes the opportunity to advance in the competition circuit at all four stops throughout the 2013 tour.

“The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series is very important for North American freeskiing athletes,” said Steele Spence, PPOS series head judge. “The series is a stepping stone for athletes hoping to progress to the top level of competition. The events are very well organized with a full panel of Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) certified judges and courses at world-class resorts.”

The first stop at Copper Mountain will be the first AFP sanctioned event in the United States for the 2013 competition season. In addition, the Copper Mountain event will be an International Ski Federation (FIS) sanctioned NORAM CUP event with athletes earning FIS points.

“FIS is excited to be able to integrate The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series events in Copper Mountain, CO and Northstar, CA into the 2012-13 FIS Freestyle NORAM NORAM CUP,” said Konrad X Rotermund, FIS Freestyle Continental Cup Coordinator-Americas. “These events will provide a great opportunity for athletes to get their needed FIS points to be part of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games qualification process and/or earn the opportunity to be the NORAM CUP Champion. Recognizing schedules are very full in North America, it is great to be able to cooperate with the already established PPOS events to give the athletes multiple avenues to meet their competitive goals in a single event.”

Halfpipe skiing will make its Olympic debut in 2014 at the Sochi, Russia Winter Games. The PPOS will work in conjunction with the AFP to ensure professional competition judging in accordance with AFP standards and criteria. Judging is based on overall impression, including content, difficulty of run, style and use of park or pipe.

“I am excited to be a part of the The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series at Copper Mountain,” said The North Face Athlete Mike Riddle. “The best athletes in the world are all converging at the resort this early season to get dialed in for the coming season. The event will see a very skilled field showing-off the tricks they have practiced all summer.”

The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series at Copper Mountain begins on Friday, Dec. 7 with athlete registration. The competition kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 8 with practice and qualifiers in the Main Vein Superpipe, and concludes on Sunday, Dec. 9 with finals. Coinciding with The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series, Copper Mountain’s celebrates its 40th Anniversary Dec. 7-9. Specials throughout the weekend include $40 lift tickets, $40 Woodward Intro Sessions, $40 Ski & Ride School Lessons, $40 rentals for two, and many more.

The U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding athletes will also gather at Copper Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 8 for the annual U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding team naming event at 2:45 p.m. followed by a free concert by the Neil Diamond cover band, Super Diamond at 3 p.m. in Burning Stones Plaza. Enter to win a private meet and greet with America’s snowboarding and freeskiing Olympic hopefuls at www.facebook/CopperMtn or www.facebook/US-Freeskiing.

The field is absolutely stacked for the Copper Mountain pipe event. Twenty-four women and 65 men will be taking on Copper’s 22-foot superpipe seeking not only the PPOS event win, but AFP and FIS points. With names including Tanner Hall, Rosalind Groenewoud, Justin Dorey, Maddie Bowman, and the Wells brothers all in attendance, it is going to be an all out battle for the title.

Full athlete list:

Women

Aerts     Katrien
Austin     Zyre
Bowman     Maddie
Caradeux     Anais
Drew     Annalisa
Faivre     Virginie
Groenewoud     Rosalind
Gunning     Shannon
Gunning     Megan
Hansen     Keltie
Haupt     Hannah
Jaeger     Mirjam
Krass     Julia
Kuzma     Janina
Marine     Tripier mondancin
Ragettli     Nina
Saori     Suzuki
Satoh     Maiko
Sharp     Kimmy
Sharpe     Cassandra
Simpkins     Emily
Terada     Shuri
VanLaanen     Angeli
Vicenti     Anna


Men

Allen     Christian
Atkinson     Kris
Bijasson     Nicolas
Blanchi     Antoine
Blunck     Aaron
Bowman     Lukas
Bowman     Noah
Carr     Gage
Cheshire     Rowan
Crook     Peter
Culver     Riley
Cummings     Jaek
D’Artois     Simon
DeLong     Kyle
Dorey     Justin
Ferreira     Alexander
Gorham     Cottie
Hall     Tanner
Iliano     Frederick
Jefferies     Collin
Karker     Austin
Kish     Brian
Lauper     Nils
Leeds     Broby
LeHouillier     Carson
Leonard     John
Lerjen     Yannic
MacKay     Aaron
MacKay     Brendan
Malone     Ryan
Mann     Billy
Margetts     Matthew
Maxwell     Ben
Mousseau     Zak
Narita     Grim
Northey     Garett
Oland     Tyson
Olenick     Peter
P’ng     Matthew
Peterson     Tyler
Pollet-Villard     Joffrey
Riddle     Mike
Rosenberger     Nick
Rosenblum     Daniel
Schumacher     Mike
Seaton     Taylor
Sheehan     Lyndon
Sheridan     Cas
Shibabuki     Takanori
Smaine     Kyle
Speight     Peter
Straight     Geoff
Taylor     Robert
Terada     Kiyoshi
Tierney     Andrew
Tsuda     Kentaro
Visser     Hunter
Webb     James
Wells     Byron
Wells     Beau-James
Wells     Jackson
Wells     Josse
Wilson     Taylor
Wilson     Mitchell
Wood     Walter
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News: Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Ann News: Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Announces Tour Dates

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Truckee, Calif. –Rahlves’ Banzai Tour is back, showcasing racing in its purest form of four at a time going head-to-head over natural terrain in ski and boarder-cross style action. The 2013 dates for this annual favorite have been announced, so mark your calendars and get ready to compete in the ultimate test on the mountain. With tour stops, pre and après parties spanning four weekends from Feb. 2nd through Mar. 10th at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl Resort, the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour is sure to be a showstopper.

“There is no other race like this in the world,” said Rahlves. “Last year's low tide conditions forced new routes down each venue and produced exciting competition and a great show for spectators. I was impressed with the competitors attitude and level of commitment. What's so unique about this race is every day ripper’s line up against pro level athletes and have a shot at the title of Rahlves' Banzai Champ. It's a competition among competitors, but ultimately it's against the mountain.”
When the gate drops, it's on as four competitors battle it out for the holeshot and an early lead. Tactics, skill, strength and calculated risk are put to the test attacking terrain and skied out snow conditions found at any resort off the groomed runs. Watching the battle is simply awe-inspiring and commands respect.

The final stop on the tour at Sugar Bowl Resort, where the race originated, will feature the “Super Final” in which former World Champion, 12-time World Cup winner, X-Games Gold Medalist and four-time Olympic skier, and Sugar Bowl Resort Ambassador Daron Rahlves will race against the four men’s skiing division winners from each stop on this year’s tour. This grand finale will not disappoint, as it provides the only opportunity during the tour to witness Rahlves putting his technical skills and all out effort to the test against the crowned winners of the tour who will be vying to beat Rahlves and to take home the title of “Banzai Master” with a cash prize of $10,000; winner takes all.

Friday night before each tour stop, competing athletes, sponsors, media and special guests are invited to the event kick-off, “Rahlves' Banzai Welcome Party”. The location will be announced closer to the event dates. On Saturday after the solo qualifying timed runs to seed Sunday's Finals and heats of four, all competing athletes, sponsors, media and fans are invited to celebrate all things Banzai at the 3-6pm “Rahlves' Banzai Après Party” thrown by High Fives Foundation, a Truckee, CA based non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury while pursuing their dream in the winter action sports community. A portion of the proceeds from Sierra Nevada beers purchased throughout the evening and raffle prizes will be donated to High Fives.

Competitors aged 18 and up are encouraged to start polishing up on their schussing big mountain skills and get ready to enter the men’s and women’s ski and snowboard divisions for the tour.
Make plans to catch the high-speed action at each tour stop including:

•    Kirkwood Mountain Resort    Feb. 2-3,   2013
•    Alpine Meadows                       Feb. 9-10, 2013
•    Squaw Valley                            Mar. 2-3,   2013
•    Sugar Bowl Resort                   Mar. 9-10, 2013

For those who are curious about the tour’s name, Banzai is a Japanese term expressed as an exuberant cheer meaning, “Long Life!” or “Hurray!” An apt name for a high-spirited downhill ski and snowboard competition, the Silver Belt Race first took place in the 1940s at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and was re-introduced with the head-to-head action by Daron Rahlves and Sugar Bowl in 2009. The race continued with one event for another year, and then Rahlves decided to take the show on the road, officially launching the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour and expanding to stops at four of Lake Tahoe's premier resorts.

Building on the tour’s success and evolution, Rahlves has designated the worthy High Fives Foundation as the tour’s official non-profit partner, while leveraging big name sponsors such as Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Contour, CEP “intelligent sportswear”, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, Jagermeister, Spyder, Atomic, Start Haus Ski Shop, Wend Wax, COAL, The Bar Effect, World Cup Supply, Snow Fest, Sports Insurance and CRUX Events, thereby creating an alluring $80,000 prize purse.
Media coverage will include, Live event coverage on Sunday by 101.5FM Truckee-Tahoe Radio, Tahoe TV event edits for web / local tv, POWDER Magazine coverage and more.

For information, to check out previous race results, videos and to register, visit www.rahlvesbanzai.com
Event Registration begins January 2013

For up-to-the-minute news, “Like” The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour on Facebook and follow @RahlvesBanzai on Twitter.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Switchback PR + Marketing at 530-550-2252
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News: The North Face Park and News: The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series Announces 2013 Schedule

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Athlete Registration Opens Thursday, November 8, 2012, 10 AM MST

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – As the first traces of snow dust North American mountain peaks, freeskiing athletes everywhere are revving up for another exciting winter competition season. Falling in line with the anticipation of a great winter, The North Face announced venues for The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series (PPOS), including Copper Mountain, CO (Dec. 8-9); Whistler Blackcomb, BC (Jan. 14-17); Waterville Valley, NH (Feb. 23) and Northstar California Resort, CA (March 8-10).

“This year’s events are perfectly scheduled to provide prime advancement opportunities for athletes ready to take their freeskiing career to the next level,” said Barb Hamblett PPOS Event Director with Mountain Sports International, Inc. (MSI). “Spectators can expect to see exciting top level competition at all four PPOS stops this season.”

All four PPOS events are part of the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) competition schedule. The Copper Mountain and Northstar California Resort stops will both be International Ski Federation (FIS) sanctioned NORAM CUP events with athletes earning FIS points. Athlete registration for all four PPOS stops will open Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at 10 a.m. MST.

“FIS is excited to be able to integrate The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series events in Copper Mountain, CO and Northstar, CA into the 2012-13 FIS Freestyle NORAM CUP,” said Konrad X Rotermund FIS Freestyle Continental Cup Coordinator-Americas. “These events will provide a great opportunity for athletes to get their needed FIS points to be part of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games qualification process and/or earn the opportunity to be the NORAM CUP Champion. Recognizing schedules are very full in North America, it is great to be able to cooperate with the already established PPOS events to give the athletes multiple avenues to meet their competitive goals in a single event.”

Founded in 2010, The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series (PPOS) features slopestyle and halfpipe skiing competitions with $55,000 in total prize value up for grabs. As one of the only open-format event series, amateurs have the opportunity to compete alongside top pros.

“The North Face is excited to bring yet another season of freeskiing competition opportunities to athletes, both professional and amateur, across North America,” said The North Face Director of Sports Marketing Katie Ramage. “The progression of the sport of freeskiing is important to us, and this competition format is another way for us to support that movement.”

Slopestyle skiing takes place in a venue comprised of man-made features such as rails, boxes and jumps contained on a single slope. Halfpipe skiing takes place in a halfpipe similar to those used for halfpipe snowboarding. Skiers accelerate through the pipe to gain increased height jumping out of the halfpipe while simultaneously executing challenging grabs, spins, flips and other maneuvers. Skiers string together a series of aerials from the halfpipe in a single run. Judging is based on overall impression, including content, difficulty of run, style and use of park or pipe. Both slopestyle and halfpipe skiing will make their Olympic debut in 2014 at the Sochi, Russia Winter Games. The PPOS will work in conjunction with the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) on competition judging with Steele Spence serving as head judge for the series.

“The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series is very important for North American freeskiing athletes,” said Steele Spence, PPOS series head judge. “The series is a stepping stone for athletes hoping to progress to the top level of competition. The events are very well organized with a full panel of AFP certified judges and courses at world-class resorts.”

2012-13 PPOS Series Schedule

Copper Mountain, Colorado (FIS Event) - December 8-9, 2012

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia - January 14-17,2013

Waterville Valley, New Hampshire - February 23, 2013

Northstar California Resort, California (FIS Event) - March 8-10, 2013

For athlete or registration information visit www.thenorthfaceppos.com or contact Julia Jimmerson MSI athlete relations manager at jjimmerson@mtsports.com or (801) 349-4616.
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News: Jeremy Jones, Travis Ric News: Jeremy Jones, Travis Rice, Gretchen Bleiler And More Remind You To Vote November 6

From: TetonGravityResearch
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - With voter turnout a major issue in the 2012 election, Protect Our Winters and the Surfrider Foundation have asked professional skiers, snowboarders and surfers to remind their respective communities to get out and vote.

Eleven pro athletes such as Travis Rice, Jeremy Jones, Shea Lopez and Gretchen Bleiler have all submitted personal video clips asking people to remember to get out and vote on November 6.

“Do you part to protect the environment and get and vote, because every vote counts,” professional skier Chris Davenport said.

“Climate Change is affecting our oceans … and if you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” pro surfer Torrey Meister said.

“This is a critical election for the environment. It’s just so important that everyone who can vote, takes a few minutes to do it. We spend the entire year fighting for key environmental issues and this is our opportunity to be active participants to create the change we’re seeking. And we know that having pro athletes deliver that message can be really impactful,” Protect Our Winters Executive Director Chris Steinkamp said.

POW/Surfrider’s goal is to distribute these as widely as possible throughout the action sports community between now and Election Day to remind the action sports community to get out and vote.

Share these videos to remind people to get out and vote on Nov. 6.

Travis Rice:

Ingrid Backstrom:

Gretchen Bleiler:

Forrest Shearer:

Ralph Backstrom:

Chris Davenport:
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News: June Mountain Ski Area C News: June Mountain Ski Area Closes Indefinitely

From: TetonGravityResearch
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Mammoth Lakes, CA – Rusty Gregory, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Chairman and CEO, announced today the company will not operate June Mountain this summer or for the upcoming 2012-'13 winter season. “June has operated at an annual deficit each year since its purchase in 1986,” said Gregory. “It is time to invest some of this subsidy into the analysis and planning required to position the resort for a sustainable future, then secure the approvals and financing required to create it.”

Mammoth purchased June Mountain in 1986 with the idea of significantly increasing the size of the resort by building new facilities, extending new runs to the June Lake Village, and fostering additional developed ski areas along the San Joaquin Ridge, resulting in a connection between Mammoth and June Mountains. For a number of reasons, these plans were never realized and June Mountain has, in turn, suffered from an identity crisis that has both stifled its ability to achieve its full potential and required substantial financial subsidy from Mammoth on an annual basis. Cessation of operations will help the company dedicate its focus to a new future for June Mountain.

Mammoth will be working with its partner, the U.S. Forest Service, to reach the best possible result in this endeavor. In the weeks to come, Mammoth will be working to determine if and to what extent it can absorb June’s year round workforce. Mammoth Mountain will continue to offer world-class skiing, snowboarding and summer activities for locals and visitors to the region.

Photo via www.liftopia.com
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News: U.S. Olympians Kelly Cla News: U.S. Olympians Kelly Clark And Stacey Cook Take Flight In Super Hornet Fighter Jets

From: media-75233
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U.S. Olympic snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Kelly Clark receives a last-minute de-briefing in a fighter jet. Photo by Olivia Giger.

Fallon, Nevada – Olympic halfpipe snowboarding gold medalist Kelly Clark, of West Dover, Vermont, and two-time Olympic alpine skier Stacey Cook, of Mammoth Mountain, Calif., became copilots Tuesday aboard U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets during a visit to Fallon Naval Air Station, near Mammoth Mountain, CA. The hour and a half flights, which hit forces of six G's and topped out at 40,000 feet, were organized by the U.S. Navy as a way for the athletes to share their Olympic experiences with the sailors and families based at Fallon.

"As G forces increase your blood drains from your brain — this can make you pass out — and I had to start firing my muscles in my calves working up to my glutes to keep my blood circulating and air exchanging into my lungs," Kelly Clark said.

Clark, the 2002 Olympic gold medalist for halfpipe snowboarding, won a string of 16 halfpipe events last winter, including the Aspen and Euro X Games.

During the two-day session, the athletes went through a condensed Aviation Physiology and Survival Training, interacted with sailors stationed on the base and spent time with families at the base teen center.

"The intensity of this flight was well beyond what I thought my limit would be. We hit six G's, did huge loops, twists, turns and dove to 500 feet above a road. I train six to seven hours every day, but I was totally exhausted after just an hour and a half of flying. It's amazing what the pilot's body can handle. This flight was the only thing I've ever experience that is above the level of intensity and adrenaline you get in racing downhill," Stacey Cook said.

Cook is a member of the best in the world U.S. women's downhill team finishing the 2012 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season ranked 10th.

In a matter of 10-15 seconds they reached 180 miles an hour and were able to fly by Mammoth Mountain, CA and perform a "carrier break" at the Fallon Naval Air Station tower in addition to other maneuvers.

"Having these two Olympians visit NSAWC was an incredible experience for me and the Sailors under my command. These two remarkable women demonstrate a similar focus and work ethic the Navy demands of its people. It was a real privilege to meet them," said Rear Admiral Mark A. Vance, Commander, Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center.
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News: U.S. Freeskiing Holds Fi News: U.S. Freeskiing Holds First Spring Training Camp At Mammoth Mountain

From: media-75233
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Alex Schlopy hits a jump in to an airbag landing at U.S. Freeskiing spring training camp at Mammoth Mountain.

Mammoth Lakes, CA – Some of U.S. Freeskiing’s best athletes, like recently crowned AFP halfpipe World Champion Torin Yater-Wallace (Basalt, CO) and AFP slopestyle World Champion Tom Wallisch (Pittsburgh, PA) have descended upon Mammoth Mountain’s award winning Unbound Terrain Park for a weeklong intensive training camp. This is the first spring training camp since the inauguration of U.S. Freeskiing in December 2011. This unique opportunity consists of dryland training, one-on-one coaching and video review.

Mammoth’s Unbound Terrain Park and its ideal spring conditions have produced top-notch on snow training with jumps, their signature halfpipe and airbags for these elite team members. Not only are athletes learning new tricks in a relaxed environment, but consulting with their coaches looking to strategize for the upcoming 2012-’13 season.

“Team training camps are essential to athlete training not only for skills, but team building,” U.S. Freeskiing Head Coach Mike Jankowski said. “While they are on the same team, these athletes still compete against each other at events. This spring training camp is a great way to get together outside of competition to progress in a pressure free environment.”

Torin Yater-Wallace (Basalt, CO), Tom Wallisch (Pittsburgh, PA) and Maddie Bowman (South Lake Tahoe, CA) are some of the U.S. Freeskiing athletes that are in attendance. The camp opened May 4 and will run through May 14.

“After a long season of competition it’s so nice to be out here in Mammoth hitting perfect jumps,” Tom Wallisch said. “This season couldn’t have gone any better for me and I am stoked to have some chill training time just riding spring conditions and working on tricks. It’s the perfect set-up.”
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Woodward Tahoe Woodward Tahoe

From: jeremybenson
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Woodward Tahoe
1 year ago
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New Woodward Training Facility New Woodward Training Facility: Tahoe, CA

From: jeremybenson
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As with anything new and different, I’m usually a little skeptical until I find a reason not to be. So, when I heard there was a new Woodward facility going in up at Boreal Ski area on Donner Summit I wondered, how cool could it really be? I took a little trip up there last Saturday to check it out for myself. After about 5 seconds inside the 33,000 sq. foot facility any preconceived notions that I had of Woodward Tahoe were completely shattered.

The front entrance to Woodward Tahoe while still under construction, being blasted by a late season snowstorm.

Construction of Woodward Tahoe began last summer. The massive structure was built right next to Boreal’s base area and parking lot. I’d seen the hulking mass of the building under construction a number of times while driving by on I-80 but it never seemed that impressive from a distance. Pulling up to it the other day, however, I was blown away by its’ massive dimensions, and then I went inside.

A welding helmet awaits its’ use. Construction is moving along rapidly in preparation for opening in June.

Flanked by Shaydar Edelman, Boreal’s mountain manager, and John Slaughter, Boreal’s marketing manager, I stepped into the most impressive ramp park that I’ve ever seen, and it’s currently only about half finished. We met up with Nate Wessel, Woodward’s head park designer, and I got the grand tour.

Overlooking a fraction of the facility, objects are much larger than they appear.

Woodward Tahoe is the 6th Woodward facility in the world, with 4 others in the US, and one in China. The brand-new 6 million dollar facility is slated for completion by the first of June, 2012. The unique facility is known as the “Bunker” and was designed with ski and snowboard training in mind. “When I design a park I design it unique to its’ location to try and cater to the clientele and serve a purpose,” says Wessel, “I’m never going to do the same thing in a building, all of the newest ideas I have are in here.” The new Woodward facility will be a great complement to Boreal ski area. Known primarily for their park and pipe, Boreal consistently boasts the longest season in the Tahoe area.

Designer Nate Wessel talks me through his 3-dimensional plan of Woodward Tahoe.

When completed, Woodward Tahoe will be one of the premier indoor ski and snowboard training facilities in the world. They have recently partnered with Moment Skis and Burton Snowboards to create new models of wheeled skis and snowboards for use on the indoor ramps. “The ‘park’ skis and boards will be a constant progression,” says Wessel, “the current ones work great but we’ll be refining them as we go along.” Woodward Tahoe is the first facility built specifically to cater to the use of ‘park’ wheeled skis and boards.

Current wheeled skis made by 2x4. Woodward is collaborating with Moment and Burton for newer models.

The Bunker won’t only be for ski and snowboard training. The facility will also cater to skate, bmx, digital media, cheer, and tumbling training. “Everything we’re building here is for the skis and boards, but at the same time we’re trying to cater to everyone,” says Wessel, “It will all be useable for bmx and skate, or for air awareness training.” By incorporating multiple drop-in heights and adjustable angles (depending on your discipline) on their skatelite ramps with foam and resi-pit landings this facility will truly accommodate learning and progression no matter what you ride.

Woodward Tahoe’s one-of-a-kind tramp park includes multiple levels, angled redirect walls, 6 Olympic sized trampolines, a super-tramp, a 40 foot long tramp, and 2 foam pits. The super-tramp is one of two in the country, the other at Woodward Copper, and throws the user up to three times higher to practice bigger tricks. A full size gymnastics and cheer spring floor will be available for tumbling or parkour training. A street/flow course takes up the remaining floor space with features built into the underside of the drop-in and viewing platforms. A top-of-the-line digital media lounge takes up otherwise dead space beneath and above some of the ramps for people to hone their digital media skills, the perfect complement to the action going on inside Woodward Tahoe.

This summer, the Bunker opens for 9 weeks of summer camps starting June 10th, the first five weeks involve on-snow training just outside the door of the Bunker at Boreal. After camps are finished for the summer, the facility is open to the public starting August 17th and passes are on sale now, 2 hour drop-in sessions will also be available. To sign up for camps, to buy season passes, or for more information visit www.woodwardtahoe.com
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