The start of the snowboard cross season was worth the wait for The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team. After a weather cancelation on day one due to icy conditions, the athletes battled through thick, fluffy snow on day two to get the event off the ground. Despite the weather, the team had a fantastic day all around, with Brenna Huckaby and Kate Delson (Team Utah Snowboarding) landing on the podium in the women’s LL2 classification in first and third, respectively. 

Also in the women’s LL2 class, Dennae Russell of Team Utah Snowboarding made the women’s small final, finishing eighth and Courtney Godfrey in ninth. 

On the men’s side, Colby Fields from Adaptive Action Sports and the lone U.S. athlete in the UL category, ended the day 14th. Mike Schultz finished fifth in the LL1 classification, followed by Noah Elliott in sixth. This is Schultz's first snowboard cross event in over a year, and he said it "felt good to be back in the start gate." Schultz had a great time trial, finishing third, but made a mistake in the heats, which kept him off the podium. Aleks Godowski of Team Utah Snowboarding led the way for the men’s LL1 category, making the small final and finishing eighth, followed by Zach Miller in 10th and Joe Pleban in 15th. 

Next week, the team is heading to Lenk, Switzerland for two more snowboard cross races Jan. 23-24. 

The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team took on their first banked slalom World Cup of the season this week at the icebox in Landgraaf, Netherlands. Noah Elliott dominated again, finishing atop the podium two days in a row. 

Landgraaf is the team's favorite stop on the circuit, kicking off the season for the last few years. 

The women started the action on day one, where Darian Haynes (UL) finished fourth overall. Kate Delson (LL2) of Team Utah Snowboarding finished fifth, just missing out on finals. 

On the men's side, Noah Elliott again showed his dominance following his two wins at this location last season, with another win in a stacked LL1 field. Mike Schultz also made the finals, finishing fourth. In the LL2 classification, Zach Miller added another podium finish to his resume, landing in third. Evan Strong finished just behind him in fifth, followed by Joe Pleban in 10th. Colby Fields from Adaptive Action Sports ended in seventh place in the UL classification. 

The team continued to impress on the second day of competition. Haynes improved upon her fourth-place finish on day one with a third-place podium appearance. Delson finished ninth. Elliott went lights out to land atop the podium once again, his 18th career win. Also in the LL1 category, Schultz finished the day in eighth. In the men's LL2 class, Miller again led the way, finishing fourth, followed by Strong in sixth and Pleban in 10th. 

Next, the team will return to the States for a training block before returning to Europe for their first snowboard cross World Cup of the season in Pyhä, Finland, Jan. 18-19. 

DAY 1 RESULTS
Men
Women

DAY 2 RESULTS
Men
Women

PARK CITY, Utah (Sept. 17, 2024) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard is thrilled to announce the nine athletes who have accepted their nominations to the 2024-25 U.S. Para Snowboard Team across all classifications and disciplines. 

The 2024-25 U.S. Para Snowboard Team is highlighted by 2024 overall, banked slalom and snowboard cross Crystal Globe winner and 2024 “Best Athlete with a Disability” ESPY Award winner Brenna Huckaby and 2024 banked slalom and overall Crystal Globe winner Noah Elliott. Also headlining the team is two-time world champion and ESPY Award winner Zach Miller. Courtney Godfrey is new to the team this season after finishing the 2023-24 season ranked seventh in the world across banked slalom and snowboard cross events. 

“This is going to be a really exciting season for this team,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Para Sport Director Erik Leirfallom. “We had an extremely successful season last year, bringing home six Crystal Globes and the Nations Cup. Heading into a World Championship year, I’m confident that the team will build on that momentum and continue growing.” 

The 2024-25 FIS Para Snowboard World Cup season will kick off in late November in Landgraaf, Netherlands with two banked slalom races. The team will bounce between competitions in Europe and training in the states before finishing their season at the World Championships in Big White, Canada in March. 

Find the finalized FIS World Cup schedule here. 

2024-25 U.S. Para Snowboard Team

(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate)

Women

• Courtney Godfrey (Mill Valley, CA; Team Utah Snowboarding; University of Arizona/Arizona State University; 12/3/1986)
• Darian Haynes (Muncie, IN; Adaptive Action Sports; 1/3/2000)
• Brenna Huckaby (Baton Rouge, LA; Team Utah Snowboarding; 1/22/1996)

Men

• Noah Elliott (St. Charles, MO; DeVry University; 7/12/1997)
• Keith Gabel (Ogden, UT; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/20/1984)
• Zach Miller (Silverthorne, CO; Adaptive Action Sports; DeVry University; 3/10/1999)
• Joe Pleban (Fredericksburg, VA; Adaptive Action Sports; Christopher Newport University; 8/7/1990)
• Mike Schultz (Kimball, MN; 8/27/1981)
• Evan Strong (Haiku, HI; Adaptive Action Sports; 11/13/1986)

2024-25 U.S. PARA SNOWBOARD COACHES AND STAFF

Anouk Patty - Chief of Sport
Erik Leirfallom - Para Sport Director
Graham Watanabe - Para Snowboard Coach
Lane Clegg - Para Snowboard Coach
Brian Neff - Athletic Development Coach, Para Alpine & Para Snowboard
Ryan Odeja - Para Press Officer

FOLLOW THE U.S. PARA SNOWBOARD TEAM

Instagram: @usparaskisnowboard 
Facebook: @usskiandsnowboard
TikTok: @usskiandsnowboard
Twitter/X: @usskiteam
Threads: @usskiteam 

###

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Ryan Odeja - U.S. Para Snowboard Team Press Officer
ryan.odeja@usskiandsnowboard.org