Freeriders are serious
about competing
SVSEF snowboard team has
high hopes
By JODY
ZARKOS
Express Staff Writer
Snowboarders are
different from you and me.
For starters,
they are cooler, groovier, more soulful and rad. Their boots and clothes are
more comfortable and they spend a lot of time just hanging out chillin’ when
they are on the hill.
But don’t let
the casual approach fool you.
The one common
denominator Sun Valley snowboarders share with their Bald Mountain counterparts
is they are fundamentally sound racers who are dead serious when it comes to
competition.
In his 10th year
with the Sun Valley snowboard team and in his second year as program director,
Andy Gilbert remarked on what sets his racers apart from the pack.
"You can
spot our kids at the top of a course, just the way they stand on their boards.
Their fundamentals are strong because they are good free riders," he said.
Anchoring the Sun
Valley Ski Education Foundation team this season are 22 riders. Of that number,
11 competed at the X-Nix National Championships last winter.
"We have a
group that seems to be real serious and in it for the right reasons,"
Gilbert said. "The coaches are excited about this crew. A lot of times,
races turn into social events, but they are there to compete."
The snowboard
travel team includes Gillian Augustus, Sarah Betts, Jeremy Black, Austen Butler,
Scarlett Caldwell, Yancy Caldwell, Spencer Cordovano, Fraser Donald, Bobby
Flanigan, Shane Haile, Ireland King, David Kunz, Michael Kunz, Ryan McCarthy,
Kjell Ooms, Laura Parker, Sidney Parkhill, Jens Peterson, Ed Sawicz, Liz
Shanklin, Houston Shaw, and Reid Welsh.
"We had a
great season last year. Everyone is getting bigger, stronger and older. Their
coordination is a lot better. They are all just growing into it," Gilbert
said.
Gilbert is
expecting breakout seasons for several racers, including 16-year-old David Kunz,
who is currently ranked 41st in the country in half-pipe.
"He’s just
a natural talent. He has a legitimate shot at junior worlds," Gilbert said.
"And Yancy is right on David’s heels with a shot at worlds.
"We also
have a pretty tough group of girls. Sarah, Laura, Liz and Scarlett are all right
around the same age and are working really hard."
Things look
bright for the dedicated riders on the snowboard team.
Sun Valley
Company has committed to building a half-pipe on Baldy, which will only be a
shot in the arm for the popular program.
"Our
training is just going to increase. We can be more productive and fine tune the
things we are doing now," Gilbert said. "We could not be happier.
"We have a
great coaching staff, who are young and enthusiastic. The kids are great. We’re
stoked!"