USASA Media Guide 2015 by USASA

We Are... Photos: Jennifer Langille / USASA

2014-15 Media Guide

The Largest Snowboard & Freeski Organization in the World www.usasa.org

Welcome to the USASA! Thank-you for taking the time to review our 2015 USASA National Media Guide. As the world’s largest snowboard and freeski organization, it was exciting to watch members of our organization compete at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia last winter. Witnessing USASA competitors compete against the very best riders and skiers in the world and rise to the top of multiple podiums in the Olympics was an amazing experience. At the end of the season, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the USASA National Championships. It was humbling to realize how our entire community had contributed to the gold medal success of so many athletes. As the saying goes, “It takes a village…” 2014 Olympic medallists and US Team coaches, joining us at Copper Mountain last spring, to share their success was a phenomenal experience. Maddie Bowman, Gold Medallist in Women’s Ski Halfpipe, Alex Diebold, Bronze Medal BoarderCross® racer and two-time gold medal winning coach Bud Keene, were on hand, among many other Olympic athletes and coaches to inspire a new generation of enthusiastic winter athletes. The USASA is a community of athletes, parents, coaches, judges, technical supervisors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. Their passion for our mission and vision is a testament to the belief that together, great things can be accomplished. As we enter our next twentyfive years, we welcome you to join us in our quest to build our community and strengthen our foundation. Thank-you for taking the time to review our National Media Kit and as always, we look forward to seeing you on the slopes! Sincerely,

Pete Davis, USASA Executive Director pete@usasa.org 2015 | Media Guide United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association | USASA © USASA All Rights Reserved - Photography by VAST Action & Jennifer Langille www.USASA.org

ABOUT THE USASA:

United States of America Snowboard Association is dedicated to supporting recreational and competitive snowboarding and freesking within 31 regional series throughout the United States of America. Since 1988, the USASA has fostered the competitive spirit of snowboard athletes and developed a solid grassroots organization that allows boys and girls of all ages and abilities to participate in over 500 organized snowboard and freeski events Media Guide | 2015 USASA | United of America Snowboard Freeski Association that qualify for national and international competition. SeeStates the complete eventand schedule and ÂŠ USASA All Rights Reserved - Photography by VAST Action & Jennifer Langille more at www.usasa.org. www.USASA.org

Mission & Vision The mission of the USASA is to facilitate fun and fair events for all ages across the country, to attract snowboarders and freeskiers, promote their development, provide member education, and influence the future of our sports. Our vision is to be the premier snowboard and freeski organization in the United States. 2015 | Media Guide United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association | USASA ÂŠ USASA All Rights Reserved - Photography by VAST Action & Jennifer Langille www.USASA.org

“I grew up riding the green mountain series in Southern Vermont, it gave me great experience that led me to where I am today.” Kelly Clark, X Games Champion, Olympic Gold Medal “I went to the first USASA nationals and several after that. It was my first big snowboard trip/event and a place I got to test my riding against the best in my age group from all over the country.” Ross Powers, Olympic Gold & Bronze Medal, 4x X Games Medalist “USASA was the first contest series I competed in. It allowed me to go to nationals and ride with the best riders my age from all over the country. Not only did that push my riding and get my snowboarding career started but I also now have a lot of friends to this day I met through USASA.” Louie Vito, US Olympic Team, X Games Champion

2014 Olympic Gold Medalist Maddie Bowman (halfpipe) hopped up on stage with USASA Executive Assistant Zippy Neil to hand-out medals during the 2014 Freeski National Championships at Copper Mountain Resort, Colorado.

Our Story 1988

- Former

amateur surf coach Chuck Allen incorporates the United States Amateur Snowboarding Association (USASA) in July with a $500 donation from Transworld SNOWboarding Magazine. USASA is the first governing body exclusively for competitive grassroots snowboarding. The organizers believed that by forming a national association for snowboard competitors, rules of competition could be standardized, an annual national championship event could be established, and the recreation and fun of this rapidly growing sport could

be preserved and flourish. Each year has seen an increase in the number of competitors participating within the USASA. Top riders from each series qualify to compete in the annual national championships. Regional series host a wide variety

1991 -

of events including snowboard slalom and GS, halfpipe, rail jam, boardercross速, skiercross, slopestyle and new this year: banked slalom.

USASA President Don Sather hosts Nationals at Mt. Hood Oregon. The event is sponsored by Mountain Dew, Lib Technologies, Black Diamond, and Checkered Pig.

1989 -

1992 -

Craig Kelly and Kerri Hannon accept positions to serve on the USASA Pro Advisory Board, enabling them to have direct input into the affairs of the USASA, especially in the area of formulating rules for the amateurs.

1990 -

The USASA holds their premiere national championships in February, at Snow Valley, California. The worst snowstorm of the decade hits just before the event and closes all roads to Big Bear. Amateur snowboarders from all over the country are left stranded. A rescue caravan of locals led by USASA founder Chuck Allen sneaks the competitors past the police barricades and gets them to the contest on time.

Gordon Robbins hosts Nationals at Stratton Mountain, Vermont. Don Sather is re-elected President.

1993

- In an effort to work with US Skiing and Snowboard organization (USSA) the Two organizations agreed on a combined National Championships at VAIL, CO. Don Bostick is elected President, Tom Collins is elected Secretary/Treasurer.

1994 -

Don Bostick and Tom Collins are welcome with open arms to new resort Sierra at Tahoe (formerly Sierra Ski Ranch). Nationals is expanded to a four day event with the addition of SlopeStyle. Four weeks prior to the event Don Bostick has a cliff

Coast southern California. ESPN sponsors the event through the efforts of Jim Beau Andrews, Austin Hearst and LXD. Gary Pearson and Jay Erickson are re-elected.

accident and breaks his back. Tom Collins picks up the overall supervision of the event. Both Don and Tom are re-elected.

1998 -

Moving the event back to the center of the country, Telluride, Colorado opened their doors to welcome the USASA. Tom Collins elected President, office moves from Minnesota to Truckee, CA

1995 -

Jay Erickson of the Upper Mid-West Series negotiates to have Nationals held in the middle of the country at Giants Ridge, MI and BoarderCross is added as a Trial event. Giants Ridge was the first year for the format that we use today. Four events going everyday with the age groups put into larger groups and rotated around to the venues.

The book, “Extreme Snowboarding” by Pat Ryan is published with editorial content provided by Don Sather, Exec. Dir., USASA. USASA National Championships features over 1,000 athletes for the first time. Schalorship monies were added to the Nationals budget. Nationals check list was developed.

Don Bostick and Tom Collins are re-elected. Shaun White wins the Grommet Age Group G.S. and Halfpipe at Nationals. Danny Kass takes Menehune title in Slopestyle at the same contest. Both riders would later go on to become double medalists in consecutive Winter Olympic Games ( White = 2 x gold, Kass = 2 x silver,) - The Nationals are moved back to the East Coast, Mt. Snow/Haystack. Gary Pearson is elected President, and Jay Erickson is named National Event Director

1997

- In an effort to save the Nationals because of schedule and resort commitment issues the event is moved back to the West

The 1990 National USASA Team

1996

1999 -

For the first time Nationals repeat at a resort. The International Snowboard Federation (ISF) choses Telluride for the Junior World Championships and USASA decides to pool resources and stays at Telluride for an additional year. BoarderCross is added as a fifth event. Jason Toutolmin is brought onboard to tabulate.

2000 -

USASA National Championships Waterville Valley, NH with 891 athletes in attendance. It rained before Nationals and stopped raining just long enough to complete the events. A concerned parent convinces the organization to create an executive board and hire an Executive Director. Over the course of several months, the Board chooses Tom Collins to become

Our Story 2010

the first Executive Director.

- USASA Alumni make headlines at Vancouver Winter Olympics bringing home five medals from the Halfpipe venue.

This was the year adaptive athletes were invited and encouraged to compete in USASA events.

2011

- USASA Mission and Vision statements established.

Capstone Press publishes “Big Air Snowboarding” by Anne T. McKenna with content consultation provided by USASA.

Rail Jam becomes an official competitive discipline at USASA regional events.

2001

- Mammoth Mountain hosts USASA National Championships. The new Executive Board elects Peter Green as the new President. Large amounts of snow inundate the event with 985 athletes in attendance.

2002

- For the second time Nationals repeats at a resort. After 9/11/01 and a weak economy the overall sucess of the 2001 event prompts the organization to have Mammoth Mountain host again. There were 1,139 athletes in attendance.

2005

- Keeping the Nationals in the center of the country the winning bidder for the event is Copper Colorado. 1,363 athletes in attendance.

2006

- USASA Nationals held at Northstar, Tahoe because of the course building capabilities provided by SnowTech Technologies. 1,447 athletes attended

2007

- USASA Nationals hosted by Sunday River, Maine. The opening event also marked the start of the Iraq war. 1,025 athletes made it to Sunday River that year.

- In the third repeat of a resort hosting Nationals Northstar at Tahoe again hosts the National championship. Jason Toutolmin is elected as the new Executive Director of the organization. 1,500 athletes in attendance.

2004

2008

2003

- Nationals move to Southwestern USA (Angel Fire, New Mexico.) The event is held with very little snow fall that year in the central rockies. 1,118 competitors in attendance.

- USASA Nationals return to Copper Mountain and remain there for following consecutive six years. The event expands to six days and over 1,600 athletes competed.

2012

- Rail Jam featured at USASA National Championships for the first time. Pete Davis hired as USASA Executive Director. The USSA honors the USASA with the Russel Wilder Award for oustanding contribution to youth. “Without USASA, the USA would not be able to dominate in the sport of snowboarding as we do today.” ~ USSA Snowboard Sports Committee

2013

- ADK Series Director Mike Kirchner named Comp Director for 2013 USASA National Championships, second year.

2014

- “9 and Under Free” program, Banked Slalom and Nationwide Video Contest introduced. USASA was represented by thirtyfour athletes at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. Nine medals were earned for the US Olympic Team.

The USASA National Championships

have been held at Snow Valley, CA (1990), Mt. Hood, OR (1991), Stratton, VT (1992), Vail, CO (1993), Sierra at Tahoe, CA (1994), Giants Ridge, MN (1995), Mt. Snow, VT (1996), Bear Mountain & Snow Summit, CA (1997), Telluride Colorado (1998 & 1999), Waterville Valley, NH (2000), Mammoth Mountain, CA (2001 & 2002), Sunday River, Maine (2003), Angelfire, NM (2004), Copper Mountain, CO (2005), Northstar at Tahoe, CA (2006 & 2007), Copper Mountain, CO (2008) and the USASA National Championships will stay at Copper Mountain, CO through 2017.

2015 will be the 26th Annual USASA National Championships!

31 R egio nal Ser ies WESTERN

Big Alaska Central Oregon - Enter The Dragon Mt. Hood Idaho Mountain Inland North West North Tahoe South Tahoe Southern California The Unbound Western Washington

ROCK

Aspen Sn Big Mountain We Rocky M Southwest Southwest Grand C

nowmass est/Intermountain Mountain t Colorado t Freeride Canyon

CENTRAL

Great Lakes Mid-West Best Raging Buffalo Upper Midwest ALT

s ber Mem ive Act ,500 >5

KIES

New England Maine Mountain Massachusetts New Hampshire Northern Vermont Southern Vermont

EASTERN

Adirondack Appalachian Catskilll Mountain Mid-Atlantic Western New York SnowOhio

Aj Muss

Brant Crossman

Kent Callister

Chase Josey

Lyman

GIANT SLALOM SLOPESTYLE SLALOM 2014-2015 BOARDERCROSS HALF PIPE SKIERCROSS

Team USASA*

Jamie Crane-Mauzy

Quinton Jones

Maggie Rose Carrigan

Nikolas Baden

Austin Man

Currier

Ethan Swadburg

Hannah Merson

Mazie Hayden

Asher Humphries

Please welcome our 2014-15 Team USASA members! These young men and women are the rising stars of the snowboarding and freesking world. They represent USASA at both National and Internation events, bringing home top honors and inspiring our community’s young riders and skiers. Each athlete pictured and not has a unique story to share. They are contributing to the growth of their respective discplines. They have the means to inspire future generations of winter sport athletes who may or may not dream of gold. These young individuals bring energy to the industry and we at USASA are very proud to support them on their journey. *Not Pictured: Colby Stevenson, Brody Leeds, Chloe Pultar, Clint Herman, Olivia Boomhower, Meghan Tierney, Julianne O’Neil

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Ryan Stassel

Serena Shaw

Taylor Gold

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2014 USASA Olympians 100% 70%

... of the US Olympic Snowboarding Team began their #road2gold with USASA

... of the US Olympic Freesking Team began their #road2gold with USASA

Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe

Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe

Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle

Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle

Men’s Snowboardcross

Women’s Snowboardcross

Greg Brett, Unbound Series * Danny Davis, Middle Earth, Southern VT Series Taylor Gold, Rocky Mountain Series Shaun White, So Cal Series * Chas Guldemond, New Hampshire Series Sage Kotsenburg, USASA GOLD Ryan Stassel, Big Alaska Series Shaun White, So Cal Series Alex Deibold, Southern VT Series BRONZE Trevor Jacob, Unbound Series

PGS/PSL

Kelly Clark, Southern VT Series* BRONZE Kaitlyn Farrington, ID Intermountain Series GOLD Arielle Gold, Rocky Mountain Series Hannah Teter , Rocky Mountain Series * Jamie Anderson, South Lake Tahoe Series GOLD Jessika Jensen, USASA Karly Shorr, Middle Earth Series Ty Walker, Northern VT Series

Faye Gulini, Rocky Mountain Series * Jackie Hernandez, Rocky Mountain Series

Lindsey Jacobellis, Southern VT Series *

Justin Reiter, Rocky Mountain Series

Men’s Skier Halfpipe

Aaron Blunck, Rocky Mountain Series Lyman Currier, Rocky Mountain Series David Wise, USASA GOLD Torin Yater-Wallace, Aspen Series

Men’s Skier Slopestyle

Bobby Brown, Rocky Mountain Series Gus Kenworthy, Rocky Mountain Series SILVER

* Member of past Olympic Team

Women’s Skier Halfpipe

Maddie Bowman, South Tahoe Series GOLD Annalisa Drew, Southwest Colorado

Women’s Skier Slopestyle

Keri Herman, Rocky Mountain Series Julia Krass, New Hampshire Series Devin Logan, USASA SILVER Maggie Voisin, Inland Northwest Series

Parents = Past/present Series Directors

“Last year I had the honor of representing the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics. I cannot think of a greater honor. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Following the Olympics I chose to attend the 2014 USASA National Championships in Copper Mountain Colorado. USASA raised me up from a young racer to the rider I am today. It was such a gratifying experience to compete, award medals, and coach young riders during my week at Nationals. The energy that the kids bring is contagious and the overall love fir snowboarding is greater there than anywhere else I have ever experienced” Justin Reiter, US Olympic Team, USASA Executive Board Member “USASA turned out to be the direct development pipeline to Sochi for Lyman. From his first USASA comp as a newlyminted member of the Winter Park Freeskiing Team in 2008, I knew he could thrive and realize his potential in that environment. It’s super competitive, so everything has to be on point, from the coaching (of Jeremie Livingston, WP) in both slope and pipe, to all the season-long venues that were close to home and big, yet well designed and safe. He made USASA National Championships in age group that first year, progressed to Open the next year, and never looked back. And now that USSA is the NGB for those disciplines, USASA as a pipeline has even more relevance for the future.” David Currier, Lyman Currier’s Father, Smith Optics

QUOTES! “If it were not for the USASA I would have never broke out of Fresno. USASA has the competition ladder to get you to the top. Their events have pulled so much talent together from many places where kids otherwise would never had a chance.” Andy Finch, US Olympic Team, 2003/2004 Grand Prix Champion “Those weekend events, turned into national events, into international events, into a professional snowboarding career. It’s been such a blast watching my friends progress, and share the dream! We all started in the USASA. I have so many amazing memories with the USASA and have made lifelong friends.” Chanelle Sladics, X Games Medalist, Dew Tour Champion “The USASA Foundation and its support for the young children of America are the biggest reason I had a chance to win an Olympic medal. If not for the USASA, I would never have had a chance to compete at the junior level. It gave me the tools and experiences I would need for my entire career as a professional snowboarder. I came from the MASS (Mid Atlantic Snowboard Series) and will forever be thankful to everyone who volunteered and helped keep our young snowboarder’s dreams alive.” Danny Kass, 2-time Olympic Silver Medalist

MEDIA INQUIRES Jennifer Langille National Communications Manager email: jennifer.langille@usasa.org phone: +1 401 835 6589 web: www.usasa.org facebook: USASASnow twitter: @usasasnow

instagram: @usasa_snow

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