Five Olympics. 13 X Games gold medals. Shaun White has led a legendary career in the snowboard halfpipe. He knows it, and his peers know it. But at 35, White is not yet ready to give up on the sport that has defined his life thus far. Not until he enters an Olympic pipe, one last time.

Washington Post writer Les Carpenter chronicles the inner turmoil that has led White to decide to retire after the Games in Beijing. The nagging pain in his knee and ankle, the need to take days off from practice, athletes 13 years his junior pushing him to his limit in competition, and the imminent progression of a sport that he helped define for so many years. 

For White to reach this decision, it had to be entirely his own. 

“I’m not, like, going to just hand it over,” he says. “I’m not going to walk away. I’m going to give it everything I have at this Olympics. It’s my title to defend.

“But knowing what was lying on the other side of this Olympics kind of gave me a second wind,” he continues. “And we’re like: ‘Okay, well, if this is the choice and this is the decision, I can let this crumble me and I’ll crawl away and give up or like, ‘Hey, this is your last go: Let’s be safe, let’s do this thing, but let’s push it to the point of breaking.’ ”

Read the full article at WashingtonPost.com.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today its nominations for the U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team to represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The nominations are to be confirmed by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee when it formally announces the U.S. Olympic Team.

The 26 member U.S. Snowboard Team is one of the strongest teams ever nominated in halfpipe, slopestyle, big air and snowboardcross, and includes defending gold medalists Chloe Kim and Shaun White in halfpipe, and Red Gerard and Jamie Anderson in slopestyle. Kim, a 2018 Olympic gold medalist and the 2021-22 season’s undefeated halfpipe champion, heads to the 2022 Games as the heavy favorite. White comes in as a three-time Olympic gold medalist competing in his fifth and final Olympics. 2018 gold medalist Red Gerard is coming off two wins at the last Olympic tryout events, and two-time Olympic champion Jamie Anderson earned the top podium spot at the final tryout event at Mammoth Mountain.

Returning Olympians for the snowboardcross team include 2006 Olympic silver medalist Lindsey Jacobellis and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Alex Deibold. The snowboardcross mixed team event will debut at the 2022 Games on February 12. 

Snowboarding has 11 events at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the majority of which will be contested in the Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park, with big air taking place at the Big Air Shougang venue. 

2022 U.S. OLYMPIC SNOWBOARD HALFPIPE TEAM
(Name; hometown, birthday; club; past Olympics)

Women

• Chloe Kim, Torrance, California; 4/23/2000; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team (Olympics: 2018)
• Maddie Mastro, Wrightwood, California; 2/22/2000; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team (Olympics: 2018)
• *Zoe Kalapos, Vail, Colorado; 4/17/1997; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
• *Tessa Maud, Carlsbad, California; 10/10/2003; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team

 Men

• Taylor Gold, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; 11/17/1993; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (Olympics: 2014)
• Shaun White, Carlsbad, California; 9/3/1986 (Olympics: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
• Chase Josey, Hailey, Idaho; 3/31/1995; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (Olympics: 2018)
• *Lucas Foster, Telluride, Colorado.; 9/17/1999; Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club

2022 U.S. OLYMPIC SLOPESTYLE/BIG AIR TEAM 

Women

• Jamie Anderson, South Lake Tahoe, California; 9/13/1990 (Olympics: 2014, 2018)
• Hailey Langland, San Clemente, California; 8/2/2000; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team (Olympics: 2018)
• Julia Marino, Westport, Connecticut; 9/11/1997 (Olympics: 2018)
• *Courtney Rummel, West Bend, Wisconsin; 11/12/2003

Men

• *Dusty Henricksen, Mammoth Lakes, California; 2/2/2003; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team
• Red Gerard, Silverthorne, Colorado; 6/29/2000 (Olympics: 2018)
• Chris Corning, Arvada, Colorado; 9/7/1999; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club (Olympics: 2018)
• *Sean FitzSimons, Hood River, Oregon; 9/22/2000; Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation

2022 U.S. OLYMPIC SNOWBOARDCROSS TEAM 

Women

• Faye Gulini, Salt Lake City, Utah; 3/24/1992; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (Olympics: 2010, 2014, 2018)
• Lindsey Jacobellis, Stratton Mountain, Vermont; 8/19/1985; Stratton Mountain School (Olympics: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
• *Stacy Gaskill, Golden, Colorado; 5/21/2000; International Snowboard Training Center
• Meghan Tierney, Rumson, New Jersey; 1/15/1997; International Snowboard Training Center (Olympics: 2018)

Men

• Nick Baumgartner, Iron River, Michigan; 12/17/1981 (Olympics: 2010, 2014, 2018)
• Hagen Kearney, Telluride, Colorado; 11/6/1991; International Snowboard Training Center (Olympics: 2018)
• Alex Deibold, Manchester, Vermont; 5/8/1986; Stratton Mountain School (Olympics: 2014) 
• Mick Dierdorff, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; 4/30/1991; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (Olympics: 2018)
• *Jake Vedder, Pinckney, Michigan; 4/16/1998; International Snowboard Training Center 

2022 U.S. Olympic PGS Team

• *Robby Burns, Mount Shasta, California; 11/11/1990
• *Cody Winters, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; 4/20/2000; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club 

*Denotes first-time Olympian 

Watch Team USA compete on the networks of NBC throughout the Olympics, February 4-20, 2022. 

FOLLOW THE TEAM 

Instagram @ussnowboardteam

Facebook @usskiandsnowboard

TikTok @usskiandsnowboard

Twitter @usskiteam 

ATHLETE QUOTES:

Taylor Gold
“I'm very stoked to make the Olympic Team again and especially to do it with some of the tricks and lines that originally drew me to snowboarding. Halfpipe riding is my art form and going in for my second time with more years under my belt, I feel like I've been able to develop my style and become the rider that I've always wanted to be. I'm grateful for the opportunity to express myself and what I love about snowboarding to the world.”

Red Gerard
"I’m feeling really good and ready to go to Beijing and snowboard my best. As far as our team goes, this is the strongest one I’ve ever seen for U.S. slopestyle. I had such cool peers during the last Olympics and they really watched over me, but the U.S. Snowboard Team is a different one this time, with new kids coming in. We’re all about the same age, so I think it’ll be a lot of fun and I'm hoping I can be the guy who they can put their trust in and ask me anything about the Olympics. The really cool thing over the past two years has been seeing all of us grow. It's about each of us, but it's also about this team and we’re all supporting each other nonstop to the top!"

Chloe Kim
“Time seriously does fly! I can’t believe it’s already been four years! I’m so excited to represent Team USA in the Beijing Olympics. Thank you all for the continuous love and support on this crazy journey. I can’t wait!” 

Shaun White
"Every Olympics is different—how I went into Italy was so different than Pyeongchang. Right now I'm focused on training smarter, not harder. I’m listening to my body and knowing when to push and when to pull back."

Jamie Anderson
“I’m excited to be named to my third U.S. Olympic Team. There’s definitely a bit of pressure going back as the two-time defending champ, but I know I have already accomplished more than I could dream, so I’m just trying to enjoy the whole process, stay in the moment and be grateful for this opportunity.”

Sean FitzSimons
“It’s an absolute dream come true going to Beijing with a bunch of really good homies! Mind boggling! I never really expected it, but super stoked. I’m excited for good times in China.”

Nick Baumgartner
“I’m so excited to have earned the opportunity to represent Team USA, my family, friends and the Upper Peninsula in my fourth Olympic Games. It means the world to me to be able to continue to show people what is possible when you dream BIG, work hard and never give up.”

Tessa Maud
“I’m so excited to be named to the Olympic Team as I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little girl. I can’t wait to be able to compete with all of my friends that I’ve made throughout the years. And I think this Olympics is going to be a very special one.” 

Chase Josey
“It means alot to be named to the Team this year, just to feel that all my hard work over the last few years had paid off. It’s an honor to represent Team USA again.” 

Dusty Henricksen
“It is pretty unbelievable honesty. I’m so so honored to have this opportunity to go represent for my family, friends and everyone who has helped to get me to this point and USA for sure!” 

Chris Corning
“I am very excited for Beijing. I have worked very hard to make it to this point and I am proud to represent the USA in the Olympics for a second time. I feel more confident going into this Olympics compared to 2018! I am ready to do my best and make America proud!”

Lucas Foster  
“It feels absolutely amazing to make the Olympic team and I’m stoked to go to Beijing with riders I respect and admire. Making this team has been a far fetched dream of mine since I was super young and watching it unfold these past few years has been pretty amazing.”

Hailey Langland
“I am super excited to be named to the Team and going to Beijing. I cannot believe that this is going to be the second time around that I’m going to go overseas and represent my snowboarding and my country and I’m super, super proud of that, especially the team that’s coming with me. I couldn’t be more excited that Red’s going with me as well as Jamie, and our friend Sean—I’m super proud of him for making the team as well. I think these Olympics are going to be really fun and I’m glad I get to do it with my best friends.”

Maddie Mastro
“I’m so excited that I have been named to the Olympic team, this will be my second Olympics and I’m so grateful for that. I’m just excited to go and snowboard, and I can’t wait to get over to Beijing and just represent snowboarding and my country.”

Courtney Rummel
“I’m so excited and honored to represent the USA, my family, friends, and Wisconsin at the Olympics. This is a dream come true and I want to thank everyone who has supported me! Team USA is unbelievable and I’m so proud to be a part of it!!”

Faye Gulini
“I’m honored to be representing Team USA in my fourth Olympic Winter Games. It never was easy qualifying for the team, and it certainly hasn’t got any easier. This season was especially challenging—our team is the strongest team I have ever been a part of, with only so many Olympic spots available. From 2010 (my first Games) to now so much has changed. From a rookie to a veteran and everything in between, but the goal and the dream remain the same. Let’s go Team USA!”

COACH QUOTES

Mike Jankowski, Halfpipe, Slopestyle & Big Air Head Coach
“These riders absolutely represent the core of what it means to be a U.S. snowboarder. I am incredibly honored to be a part of this 2022 team behind the team, with certified legends Shaun White and Jamie Anderson, plus legends in the making Chloe Kim, Red Gerard and everyone on the team. And we are so grateful for all the families, communities and mountains around the country who have been a key part of their development. Let’s go Team U.S.A.!” 

Rick Shimpeno, Halfpipe Pro Team Head Coach
“This halfpipe team is exceptional. We have two returning gold medalists and they are backed up by a host of very talented riders. We have the roster to head to Beijing and shake things up.” 

JJ Thomas, Halfpipe Team Coach
“I couldn’t be more proud of our Olympic halfpipe team this year. It’s a great mix of seasoned and decorated vets like Shaun and Chloe, mixed with young guns like Lucas Foster and Tessa Maud. I think we’re all in for a great two weeks in China!” 

Mike Ramirez, Slopestyle/Big Air Pro Team Head Coach
“It’s been an honor to watch this crew growing up in snowboarding and in life. This team’s strength lies in the constant pursuit of progression with fun as a priority. I feel blessed to be able to serve them in their quest to make our country proud and show the world how awesome snowboarding is.”

Dave Reynolds, Slopestyle/Big Air Pro Team Head Coach
“The U.S. Snowboard Team is looking great! We’re bringing back our two defending champions, plus we have a solid group of veterans with Chris, Julia, Hailey and an excited group of new riders including Dusty, Sean and Courtney. They’re all hungry and excited and as prepared as they can be going into these Olympics.”

Peter Foley, Snowboardcross Head Coach
“I’m really proud of this entire group of athletes and staff. I would be happy to have any of the U.S. athletes who have been competing for Olympic spots as a part of the team and it’s always so difficult that only four make the team. Like everyone these days, we have had to face all kinds of adversity this season, but we knew that going in and our focus has been about being the very best at overcoming adversity and using that to our advantage. I know we are taking some real contenders to China and that’s exciting!”

2022 Olympic Winter Games 

Snowboard Events Schedule

Saturday, February 5 - Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Training 

Sunday, February 6 - Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Finals and Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Training

Monday, February 7 - Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Finals
Tuesday, February 8 - Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Qualifiers and Finals

Wednesday, February 9 - Men’s and Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Qualifiers and Women’s Snowboardcross Qualifiers and Finals

Thursday, February 10 - Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Finals and Men’s Snowboardcross Qualifiers and Finals

Friday, February 11 - Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe Finals

Saturday, February 12 - Mixed Team Snowboard Cross

Monday, February 14 - Men’s and Women’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifiers  

Tuesday, February 15 - Men’s and Women’s Snowboard Big Air Finals

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Emery
U..S Olympic Snowboard Team Press Officer
sarah.emery@usskiandsnowboard.org 

Annie Fast
U.S. Snowboard Team Communications Manager
annie.fast@usskiandsnowboard.org

Editor's note: Team Toyota Athlete Red Gerard has been officially nominated to the U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team to represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. 

At the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Team Toyota athlete Red Gerard became the youngest snowboarder ever to win gold for Team USA. The then 17-year-old was also the youngest male U.S. Olympian to win gold in 90 years — a moment that was both very exciting and a little intimidating for the teenager.

“After winning, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into,” Gerard says. “There are a lot of media tours and traveling after something like that. It’s very cool, but I also had some maturing to do at that age, and I’m happy with what came out of that experience.”

Gerard has participated in snowboarding competitions since he was a kid and grew up watching the X Games® and Dew Tour®. He says that, in the snowboarding community, those contests are just as big as the Olympics, but the extensive media coverage and attention surrounding the Games was an adjustment. When Gerard was named to Team USA for PyeongChang, he competed with no expectations —he just wanted to land all his runs.

“The one thing that I’m still not used to is how much media is there,” he says. “There are a lot more people and you’re on a bigger stage. But I think it’s something I feel a little better about. I’m working on not treating the Olympics any differently than any other contest.”

Heading into what could be his second Games, Gerard feels more prepared for the busy schedule and the exciting environment. The young athlete believes he’s grown a lot in the past four years, and at 21, he is hoping to go into Beijing 2022 with the original game plan: simply landing all his runs.

“I’d like to stay healthy, hopefully not get hurt, and just land runs,” he says. “Each season I go in with the same attitude and same goal: Let’s land runs. After that, it’s up to the judges, not me. It’s such a cool experience, so I just want to do my part and then make the most if it.” ...Read the Full Story at Toyota.com

Ever since Chloe Kim won gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, her life never felt the same. At the age of 17, Kim was tossed into the spotlight. She was the youngest female snowboarder ever to win gold in Olympic history. She won the award for Best Female Athlete at the 2018 ESPYS and Best Female Action Sports Athlete in 2018, 2019, and 2021. In South Korea, where her parents were born, she was celebrated as a hero. 

In her cover story with Time Magazine, Kim opens up about the reality behind the curtain of fame that came after she won the Olympics. 

"Beneath the adulation, Kim was still a teenager living with her parents, struggling with the constraints of sudden celebrity and the post-Olympic depression common to elite athletes who spend their lives training for a moment that comes only once every four years," wrote Time reporter Sean Gregory.

Read the full article at Time.com.

Volcom, an iconic board sports brand owned by Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and the official outfitter of the U.S. Snowboard Team, today unveiled its new uniforms for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team nominations will be announced on Jan. 21.

Since its inception, Volcom has outfitted some of the most creative personalities, on and off the snow. The new uniforms feature signature details and artwork that celebrate Volcom’s D.I.Y. roots and original ‘Alive We Ride’ mentality.

“The Volcom team is honored to be the official uniform provider for the U.S. Snowboard Team and provide for world-class athletes on snowboarding’s biggest global stage,” said Ryan Immegart, CMO of Volcom and Liberated Brands. “Volcom was the first brand to combine the cultures of surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, music and art and the original pioneer of the action sports industry. 30 years later, Volcom’s ‘True To This’ spirit comes to life through these uniquely designed uniforms created exclusively for some of the world’s greatest snowboarders.”

The U.S. Snowboard uniforms were made specifically for the next crop of the greatest American heroes. With avant-garde designs and premium quality, this outerwear is crafted from decades of research and development in the harshest environments. The designs weave together cuttingedge, patented proprietary technologies and bio-based sustainable materials into designs meant to function for peak performance.

“Volcom has a deep-rooted history in supporting professional athletes as well as sports enthusiasts,” said Wesley Chu, SVP - Head of Asia Pacific, Spyder and Volcom at Authentic Brands Group. “It is within Volcom’s DNA to create and provide innovative products to the world’s top athletes and we are proud to cement that initiative by partnering with the U.S. Snowboard Team.”

To match the diverse and intense needs of the U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team athletes, Volcom has created its most versatile uniforms to date. The ‘Volcom Owl 3 Layer Gore Jacket’ provides an outer Gore-tex shell, coupled with the ‘Volcom Utility Puff’ inside as an insulated, hooded puffy jacket that transitions into a fully functional, sleeveless layering vest. Featured throughout the line is the brand’s patented ‘Volcom Zip-Tech’ jacket to pant interface, designed to keep athletes warm and dry while keeping snow out. Our ‘Volcom Thermal Defense System’ (TDS) is designed to keep the wearer warm where they need it most, so they can enjoy the mountains even longer.

The line also features Volcom’s heavily tested technical elements paired with exceptional design details to ensure the U.S. Snowboard team will take to the airin style. Each piece features patches and trims that proudly represent the USA, gold-plated zipper pulls, a lucky faux rabbit’s foot stashed in the jacket for good luck, and Volcom’s hallmark collage print adorning the uniform that pay tribute to the storied history of the legends who have made the Volcom brand what it is today. The line is complemented throughout by the brand’s signature black and white, op-art style.

The uniforms will hit the slopes starting on February 4, 2022, as these world-class athletes suit up in their high-performance uniforms that were crafted with the ‘True To This’ spirit for the love of snowboarding. To view the uniforms, please visit https://vol.cm/usst-beijing-uniforms

Michael O’Conor, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief Revenue Officer
We’re thrilled to have Volcom supply our 2022 Winter Olympic uniforms. Each piece is well-thought-out and harkens back to snowboard culture throughout the decades. We’ll be proud to see our athletes go for gold in this amazing gear in February.

Jeremy Forster, Snowboard, Freeski, and Freestyle Team Director
Volcom did an incredible job creating the uniform for the U.S. Snowboard Olympic Team and we are proud to wear product from a brand that has such a deep-rooted snowboarding history. Each piece is designed with the athlete in mind and will make sure they can perform at the height of their game. We’re excited to see these uniforms on the biggest sport stage in the world at the Olympics.

###

About Volcom

Inspired by the creative spirit, Volcom was founded as a clothing company rooted in skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding. Building upon the foundation of sport culture, Volcom also supports initiatives in music and the arts and lives by the mantra ‘True To This’ as a rallying cry for persistent rebels and creatives that follow their passions. Volcom creates meaningful products for men, women, and kids across a variety of categories including outdoor, swim, skate, denim, fashion and more. Volcom is available in more than 100 direct-to-consumer retail outposts globally and has distribution in hundreds of specialty retail and department store locations. To view Volcom’s deep product assortment, visit volcom.com. Follow @volcom on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2021, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org 

U.S. Snowboard Team riders Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard showed up big time for the final Olympic qualifying event of the season at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, earning the top slopestyle podium spots. The defending Olympic Gold Medalists gave us a preview of what we can hope to see in Beijing, with both riding at the top of their games.

The meteoric progression in the women’s field continued as Anderson and New Zealand’s Zoe Sadowski-Synnott went head-to-head for the top position.

While Jamie had already achieved the criteria needed for her U.S. Team nomination to compete in her third Olympics, the fire was still lit for a win. “It feels good,” said Anderson of her win “Competing is really hard, it’s such a mind game. I haven’t competed much this year, so it feels good to have fallen on my first run, clear that, and pull it together for my last run. And I’ve never done a Cab 1080 in a slopestyle, so I’m really stoked on that.”

Jamie put down a full pull run on her second attempt, styling through the rails with a backside blunt to fakie, into a switch up on the flat down, lipslide 270 on the pink rainbow. In the jump section she went backside rodeo 540 melon into that massive Cab double cork 1080 weddle, marking the first time Anderson has landed this trick in slopestyle, although she has wielded it in Big Air.

The main threat to Anderson was Sadowski-Synnott, who scrubbed on her front 1080, which kept her in second place with a score of 82.50, followed by Japan’s Kokomo Murase, with a score of 77.94.

“I’m hyped all the girls are sending it, after 15 years on tour I couldn’t be more impressed with women’s riding,” shared Anderson. Looking ahead to her third Olympics, the defending gold medalist said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to represent the U.S. on such a big stage. I’m also excited to motivate young girls to follow their dreams.”

U.S. Teammate Hailey Langland earned fifth place, which sealed her Olympic team nomination, followed by Courtney Rummel in ninth.

Men’s Slopestyle Results

Red Gerard pulled the old ‘show up and blow up’ to clench the slopestyle win on Saturday—a repeat of his top podium finish at the Dew Tour.

Gerard was really happy with the course here at Mammoth both for the speed and the accessibility, “Mammoth is like the best place ever because it’s just a two-minute chairlift lap—in three hours you can get 50 laps and it’s just so much practice and it’s a blast,” said Gerard.

Gerard’s second run started off with a backside 270 boardslide 270 out, into a gap switch backside 270 to switch, going Cab 270 lipslide 270 melon out to close out the upper rail section. He launched into the pair of jumps, starting off with a backside 1260 melon, finishing with a switch backside triple cork 1620 bringing the spectators to their knees I tell you. He earned a top score of 82.88.

Gerard shared that he had even more in the tank, during practice he put down back-to-back 1620s in the jump section. Look for him to continue to raise the bar.

Gerard made a name for himself at the 2018 Olympic Games as the youngest gold medalist, seventeen-years-old at the time. This time around, Gerard says, “I’m grown up a little more and I have my mind set on different things—as you grow up you get different goals. This time around it’s just a lot more about snowboarding—landing runs and trying to prepare yourself the best you can for Beijing.”

The U.S.Team finishes included Brock Crouch in sixth, followed by Chris Corning in eighth, Dusty Henricksen in 10th and Kyle Mack in 11th.

Netherland’s Niek van der Velden earned second place with a score of 76.56, followed by New Zealand’s Tiarn Collins with a score of 73.44.  

To date, the U.S. Slopestyle snowboard athletes who have achieved criteria to be nominated to Team USA include Anderson, Gerard, Henricksen, Corning, and Langland.

Women’s Final Results

Men’s Final Results

Lucas Foster and Joey Okesson were the top U.S. Snowboard team finishers in Saturday night’s final halfpipe event at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, California. This event marked the final Olympic qualifying event ahead of the Winter Olympics Beijing 2022.

Foster earned fourth place, with a score of 69.40, followed by Joey Okesson in seventh place with a score of 57.40. The men's U.S. Halfpipe team is still coming together with Taylor Gold the lone men's rider  to have achieved criteria to be nominated to the halfpipe team to date. 

The top American finisher of the night, Foster was hyped on his fourth-place run, “That’s one of my better runs, I have more in the tank, but I feel like I did my best. I was just happy I was able to do tricks again and land runs, so it felt good to just be back,” said Foster, referring to a fall he took at the Dew Tour that set back his training leading up to this event.

Foster fired up the crowd, putting down a frontside 1080, into a Cab doublecork 1080, ending with back-to-back 1260s.  

“Joey and Lukas are the heartbeat of our team, they have so much energy and enthusiasm,” shared Head Halfpipe Coach JJ Thomas. “Last night was the first time they’ve ever been able to perform in front of a huge crowd and it made my whole season watching them enjoy themselves, it was just so sick. They’re the future of our team right now without a doubt and it’s safe to say they’re inspiring a lot of kids, too.”

Shaun White entered Saturday night’s contest with a strong performance, qualifying in third place in heat two. During his qualifying run he landed his double McTwist perfectly, but low on the transition absorbing the landing. He did not start on this second run, then came back during the training window ahead of finals, but chose to make the difficult decision not to compete in finals after that hard landing.

Japan had a strong showing, with Ayumu Hirano earning first place with a score of 95.80 and Ruka Hirano taking second with a 93.40 . Germany's Andre Hoeflich took third with a score of 90.

In the women’s field, Chloe Kim and Maddie Mastro have already achieved criteria to be nominated to Team U.S.A. and chose not to compete this weekend in Mammoth. Japan’s Ruki Tomita took first, followed by China’s Cai Xuetong in second and Japan’s Seno Tomita in third.

While this is the final Olympic Qualifying event of the season, the U.S. Halfpipe Team still has the opportunity to chase World Snowboarding Points at the Laax Open, FIS World Cup Jan. 13-15.

Full Results

Women’s Halfpipe Finals

Men’s Halfpipe Finals

Lindsey Jacobellis took back-to-back third-place finishes at the World Cup Snowboardcross events in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Competitors faced bitterly cold conditions in the Siberian north, coming in at -24 degrees, but Jacobellis persisted and landed on the podium not once, but twice over the two-day event. These results earned Jacobellis the criteria needed to be nominated for a spot to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. This will be the 2006 Olympic silver medalist’s fifth Olympics.

After the race Jacobelllis shared how it felt to be on the podium after all the adversity she has been through with her recent injury. “It was definitely frustrating to have a setback with my elbow surgery,” she said. “All I could do was trust the team doctors. It felt great to be battling all day. I never thought about my arm once on course. It is always a win to make it into the finals and to get onto the podium is amazing.”

With these results, Jacobellis joins teammate Faye Gulini on the women’s team. On the men’s side, Nick Baumgartner and Hagen Kearney both achieved criteria to earn a nomination to compete at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team athletes are ready to compete in the final Toyota U.S. Grand Prix of the season at Mammoth Mountain, California. Halfpipe and slopestyle qualifiers and finals for skiing and snowboarding will take place from Jan. 6-8, with the preliminary Olympic team naming celebration following the final event on Saturday night. 

Top U.S. Team athletes who have already achieved criteria for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games will be among those competing. Those athletes include two-time Olympian and 2021 Halfpipe Champion Aaron Blunck, 2018 Olympic Silver medalist Alex Ferreira, and 17-year-old Hanna Faulhaber in Freeski halfpipe. The 2021 FIS slopestyle and overall Crystal Globe winner, Colby Stevenson, achieved slopestyle criteria, along with teammate Mac Forehand.

U.S. Snowboard Team Olympic Gold Medalists Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard, along with Dusty Henricksen, have achieved criteria in slopestyle thus far. Defending Olympic Gold Medalist Chloe Kim and teammate Maddie Mastro have both achieved criteria for Olympic selection, although they will not be competing this weekend. 

With points and podiums on the line, be prepared to see a heavy progression session as the international field of competitors drop into Mammoth’s Unbound halfpipe and slopestyle course. 

Snowboard 

Keep an eye on the U.S. Team vets in the men’s snowboard halfpipe, including three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, who is looking to compete in his fifth Olympics. X Games medalist Toby Miller can lean into years of experience and skill in his effort to qualify for Team USA. Young guns Joey Okesson, Lucas Foster and Tessa Maud also have high hopes for their performances this weekend as they look to secure an Olympic team spot.

In slopestyle, the stakes have never been higher. A talented field of competitors is ready to put it all on the line, including Julia Marino and Hailey Langland in the women’s field, Brock Crouch, Chris Corning, Judd Henkes, and many more in the men’s field, all gunning for points and the podium. 

“Mammoth Mountain is once again the perfect host for the riders to battle it out for those final Olympic team spots,” U.S. Snowboard Team Coach Mike Jankowski said ahead of training. “The halfpipe and slopestyle venues are in great shape and we anticipate another epic and suspenseful competition to the very end.”

Snowboard slopestyle qualifiers kick off on Thursday, Jan. 6, with halfpipe qualifiers on Friday, Jan 7. Saturday, Jan. 8, will be a big day for snowboarding, with afternoon slopestyle finals and night pipe finals.  

U.S Snowboard Halfpipe Men’s Starts
Shaun White
Lucas Foster
Chase Blackwell
Toby Miller 
Ryan Wachendorfer  
Jack Coyne
Jason Wolle
Joey Okesson

U.S Snowboard Halfpipe Women’s Starts
Tessa Maud
Alexandria Simsovits

U.S Snowboard Slopestyle Men’s Starts
Red Gerard
Dusty Henricksen
Chris Corning
Brock Crouch
Judd Henkes
Lyon Farrell
Sean Fitzsimons
Kyle Mack
Jake Canter
Luke Winkelmann
Fynn Bullock-Womble

U.S Snowboard Slopestyle Women’s Starts
Jamie Anderson
Hailey Langland
Julia Marino
Courtney Rummel

Competing Snowboard Field:

Men's Snowboard Slopestyle bib assignment
Women's Snowboard Slopestyle bib assignment
Men's Snowboard Halfpipe bib assignment
Women's Snowboard Halfpipe bib assignment

FREESKI

The level of talent on the U.S. Freeski Team is through the roof as the athletes head into their final Grand Prix of the season. It’s going to be an absolute battle to make it into the finals, let alone advance to the podium.

In halfpipe, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist David Wise is one to watch, as he looks to qualify for his third Olympic Games, as well as Olympic Bronze Medalist Brita Sigourney. A packed slate of talented U.S. athletes, including Birk Irving and Lyman Currier will also make a bid for a spot on Team USA.

In slopestyle, Alex Hall, Nick Goepper, Cody LaPlante, Caroline Claire, and Maggie Voisin are among those looking to earn their place on the team. 

“With four events already under the belt this season the team is really firing on all cylinders and looking to keep the momentum going here in Mammoth,” U.S. Freeski Slopestyle Coach, Skogen Sprang, said ahead of training. “This is a pivotal event in the qualifying process and we’re really looking forward to an exciting slopestyle contest.”

The Freeski competition kicks off with halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday, Jan. 6, followed by slopestyle qualifiers and halfpipe finals on Friday, Jan. 7. The weekend concludes with slopestyle finals on Saturday, Jan. 8.

U.S. Freeski Halfpipe Men’s Starts
Aaron Blunck
Birk Irving
David Wise
Alex Ferreira
Lyman Currier
Jaxin Hoerter
Cassidy Jarrell
Hunter Hess
Dylan Ladd
Sammy Schuiling
Tristan Feinberg

U.S. Freeski Halfpipe Women’s Starts
Brita Sigourney
Devin Logan
Hanna Faulhaber
Abigale Hansen
Svea Irving
Annalisa Drew
Riley Jacobs
Jenna “Jay” Riccomini 

U.S. Freeski Slopestyle Men’s Starts
Colby Stevenson
Mac Forehand
Alex Hall
Nick Goepper
Cody LaPlante
Hunter Henderson
Willie Borm
Konnor Ralph
Charlie Gnoza

U.S. Freeski Slopestyle Women’s Starts
Caroline Claire
Maggie Voisin
Marin Hamill
Grace Henderson
Jenna “Jay” Riccomini 
Bella Bacon

Competing Freeski Field:

Men's Freeski Halfpipe bib assignment
Women's Freeski Halfpipe bib assignment
Men's Freeski Slopestyle bib assignment
Women's Freeski Slopestyle bib assignment

HOW TO WATCH
*All times EST.

Friday, Jan. 7, 2022

9:30 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022

12:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

4:00 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

9:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

Please note: Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any and all liability for use of third-party services and apps.