Breckenridge Ski Resort Announces Pro Freeride Team for 08-09 Season
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – December 17, 2008 - Breckenridge Ski Resort is pleased to introduce the 2008-2009 Breckenridge Freeride Team. The Freeride Team members are Summit County’s most talented snowboarders and skiers many of whom are world-renowned in their field and will be competing this year at competitions around the globe, including the first stop of the Winter Dew Tour at Breckenridge this week.
Snowboarders
Steve Fisher: A long time Breckenridge local, Fisher is a two time X Games Superpipe Champion 2004 & 2007, where he placed above Shaun White. He is a four time World Cup Superpipe Champion 2004-2007. Steve is also a two time Grand Prix Superpipe Champion in 2003 and 2007. Fisher is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Snowboard Halfpipe Competition.
JJ Thomas: Thomas took home the bronze medal in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, he was an X-Games gold medalist, took first place in the 2002 Chevrolet Grand Prix Halfpipe event in Breckenridge and first in the 2005 Icer Air competition. Thomas can also be seen in Aesthetica, byStandard Films and Ride Rat by Ride Snowboards. Thomas will be competing in the Dew Tour Halfpipe Competition.
Ryan Thompson: Thompson prefers to show his skills through films and magazines rather than to the judges. He was featured on the cover of Transworld Snowboarding’s Buyer’s Guide last year. His film credits include three years of Mack Dawg Films: People, We’re People Too, and Down with People, as well as the 2008 Transworld Productions Film, These Days. He also placed 3rd in the 2006 Nippon Open Rail Jam. Thompson will be competing in the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
Josh Sherman: Sherman placed 4th in the 2007 Grand Prix Slopestyle Competition and was featured on the cover of the 06-07 Transworld Snowboarding Magazine Buyer’s Guide. A regular to the pages of industry magazines and films, Sherman was featured in this year’s Pirates film, Overseas. Sherman will be competing in the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
Mike Casanova: Amaster of the rails, Casanova has placed first in numerous competitions including the 2008 Union Square Street Session, the 2008 F2 Rail Jam in Germany, the 2006 Vans Cup Rail Event, and many more. He also won the “best trick” at the Vail Session in 2008 and the Josh Malay Award in 2005.
Leslie Glenn: A regular to the competition circuit, Glenn placed third at the 2008 Honda Session, first in the 2008 Aspen Open Superpipe event, second at the 2006 & 2007 Aspen Open Superpipe, fifth in the Grand Prix Superpipe, and seventh in the 2006 World Superpipe Championships along with several other top ten finishes. Glenn has been on numerous television shows, and featured in many industry publications. She is also featured in this year’s Smith Team Video, Football. Leslie will be competing in the Dew Tour Halfpipe Competition.
NEW! Chanelle Sladics: A triple threat in snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding, Sladics won the bronze medal in the 2007 X Games Slopestyle competition, placed second in the 2008 Roxy Chicken Jam Slopestyle, and third in the 2008 Vans Cup Slopestyle Competition, as well as podium finishes in numerous other events. She is a regular to the magazines and can be seen in the 2008 Films Uniquely by Oakley and the 2008 Runway Films video, See What I See. Sladics will be competing in the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
Jake Black: A rising star on the snowboarding circuit, Jake broke onto the snowboarding scene with a fifth place finish at the Tamarack Grand Prix Superpipe in 2007, top 10 finishes at the 2008 Tamarack Grand Prix Superpipe and Killington Slopestyle Competitions, and won the Burton Am Series in Pipe in 2008. He was born and raised in Breckenridge and spends his free time riding with his brother Zack, who is also on the team. Jake will be competing in the Dew Tour Halfpipe Competition.
Zack Black: One of the youngest members of the Breck pro snowboard team, Zack has impressed the judges in recent years. His results include a fifth place finish in the Tamarack Grand Prix Superpipe in 2008, sixth place at the 2008 FIS Junior Worlds in Italy, was the 2008 Revolution Tour Superpipe overall champion. He spends his free time riding with his brother Jake who is also on the team. Zack is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Halfpipe Competition.
NEW! Madison Ellsworth: A Burton athlete for 8 years, since age 11, Ellsworth won the Grand Prix Progression Session at Copper Mountain this past weekend, and can be seen in this year’s film, Bad Ideas by Newsroom Cinema. Ellsworth will compete in the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
JJ Johnson: An industry veteran and role model for snowboarding’s future stars, Johnson has been in several major industry publications and films, such as One Year by The Nations Foundation, and Warren Miller’s Higher Ground.
Skiers
Colby West: Recentlyexploding onto the freeskiing scene, West is now a double threat is Superpipe and Slopestyle, taking home the bronze medal in Superpipe at the 2008 X Games, and fourth in the X Games Slopestyle that same year. Other impressive results include a first place finish in the 2008 US Open Big Air Competition, a bronze medal in the 2007 X Games Slopestyle, and a bronze in the 2007 US Open Superpipe. Colby is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Halfpipe and Slopestyle Competitions.
NEW! Tanner RainvilleKnown for his style in the air, and remarkable skills both inside and outside of the terrain park, Rainville’s accomplishments include the bronze medal at the 2008 North American Open Slopestyle, eight place at the 2008 X Games Slopestyle, first place at the Tignes Airwaves Big Air 2007, and second place at the WSI Big Air 2007. He can also be seen in many films including this year’s Turbo, by Level 1. Tanner is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
Keri Herman: Winning almost every competition she enters, Keri’s gold medals in the 07-08 Season included the Aspen Open Slopestyle Competition, the North American Open Slopestyle, the Mt Snow Vermont Open Slopestyle, the New Zealand Open Slopestyle, Cadrona Games Slopestyle, New Zealand Open Downtown Rail Jam
And the Cardrona Games Big Air, Day 1 and 2, and that was all just last year! Keri is one of five women skiers invited to the Dew Tour Ski Slopestyle Competition.
Angeli VanLaanen: Known for her amplitude in the halfpipe that rivals that of the boys, and the style to go with it, Angeli’s results include second Place at the 2008 North American Open Superpipe, first place at the 2007 New Zealand Open Superpipe, second place at the 2007 New Zealand Open Slopestyle, and third Place at the 2007 US Open Superpipe. Angeli is one of five women skiers invited to the Dew Tour Ski Halfpipe Competition.
J.P. Solberg: Known for his amplitude and technical tricks, JP’s best results include two second place finishes in pipe and the big hit competition at 48 Straight, with a 4th Place result overall. He has also placed third in the World Superpipe Championships in 2004, fifth in the World Superpipe Championships in 2006 and sixth in the 2006 X Games Superpipe.
Matt Philippi: A strong competitor in the pipe, Philippi has placed first in the Aspen Open Superpipe in 2006 & 2007, second in the 2007 US Open Superpipe and fourth place in the 2007 Honda Ski Tour. Philippi has been in several industry films including Real Time and Long Story Short, by Level 1 Productions. Matt will be competing in the Dew Tour Halfpipe Competition.
Adam Delorme: A Summit County superstar who has been making waves in competitions around the world, Delorme’s accomplishments are highlighted by a first place finish in the 2007 New Zealand Open. He also placed first in the 2007 KickAspen Big Air and the Spring Massive Slopestyle competition. Delorme has also appeared in films such as Turbo and Real Time by Level 1 Productions. Adam will be competing at the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
NEW! Bobby Brown: At just 17 years old, Bobby had a breakout year in 2008, going from little known local to fully sponsored pro. His 2008 accomplishments include first place in the Big Bear Open Slopestyle, fourth place at the North American Open Slopestyle, sixth place at the Aspen Open Slopestyle and has been featured in major industry publications. Bobby can be seen in Such is Life by Rage Films. Bobby is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
NEW! Athena Brownson: Arising star in women’s freeskiing, Athena was born and raised in Breckenridge. Her accomplishments include third place at the North American Open Slopestyle competition, fifth place at the Aspen Open Slopestyle, sixth in the European Open Slopestyle and first place at Breckenridge’s own Spring Massive Festival. Athena is one of five women invited to compete in the Dew Tour Ski Slopestyle competition.
Everly Gohman: Everly has been building a name for himself in the freeskiing world, receiving the wild card entry to the finals of North American Open Slopestyle Competition. In 2007, Everly placed first in the Breckenridge Spring Massive Slopestyle. He has also graced the screen ofski movies with companies such as The Hyland Crew, SkiSta, and B Film Media. Everly will be competing in the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
Grant Savidge: Moving up through the ranks of the Breckenridge Freeride Team where he started as a JV member, Savidge placed 13th at the 2008 Big Bear Open Slopestyle, 11th at the Vermont Freeski Open and sixth at the 2006 Breckenridge Spring Massive Halfpipe.
Colby Adams: A talented big mountain and park skier, Colby crushed the Extreme scene in 2008 with a second place finish at the Crested Butte Extremes, third in the Taos Extreme Championships, eighth in the Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird and fourth overall on the World Freeskiing Tour. She enjoys spending her time on and off the hill with her bother, Duncan, who is also on the team.
Chris Hawks: Hawks, a 1999 X-Games gold medalist, has appeared in Further by Teton Gravity Research, many major publications and several Warren Miller films. Hawks runs Hawks Freeride, where he is a coach to local children, which include members of the Breckenridge JV Freeride Team. Chris will be judging the ski portion of the Dew Tour.
Clay Bryant: Bryant has previously competed in invite only events such as the Gravity Games and the Orage Masters. He has also been featured in Skiing Magazine.
Breckenridge JV Freeride Team Members
The JV team represents Breckenridge’s hottest youth in skiing and snowboarding, who are 16 and under, some who have already turned pro. JV team members are given the opportunity to participate in photo shoots and competitions alongside the Pro team, giving them a taste of sponsorship. With the support of Breckenridge and the older team riders, the JV team creates a solid foundation to help young athletes build their careers on and off the snow.
Breckenridge would like to congratulate the following two Breck JV Team Members who are pre-qualified for the Dew Tour.
Duncan Adams, Skier: At just 16 yrs old, Duncan has already established an impressive professional skiing career for himself. In 2008, he placed sixth at the 48 Straight Pipe Competition and eight at the North American Open. In 2007, he placed fourth at the Vermont Open Pipe and seventh at the Aspen Open. He is also featured in the film Turbo by Level 1. He is joined on the team by sister Colby. Duncan is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Superpipe Competition
Brett Esser, Snowboarder: At 16 years old, Brett has broken onto the snowboard scene with an exceptional 2008 season that included a sixth place finish at the Grand Prix Slopestyle, ninth at the Grand Prix Halfpipe, and third place in Nationals. He has also been featured in major industry publications. Brett is pre-qualified for the Dew Tour Slopestyle Competition.
The JV Ski Team also includes Cullen Moran, Paul McSparin and Cody Cirillo. Snowboarders are Flynt Doyal and Mike Campbell. These young talented athletes have had impressive results in their age groups in numerous competitions. Check out breck1080.com for more information.
About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc. is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resort properties at the Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone mountain resorts in Colorado, the Heavenly Ski Resort in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties across the United States and the Caribbean. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.