Chloe Kim remained podium perfect in the superpipe at X Games Aspen 2021 earning her sixth X Games gold, and eighth medal in as many X Games. Teammate Maddie Mastro claimed silver. 

After taking a year off the contest scene to attend Princeton University, Kim watched from afar as the gold medal was awarded to Spain’s Queralt Castellet’s at X Games Aspen 2020. On Saturday night, Kim made a statement through her riding that she is back, reclaiming gold and displaying serious toughness fighting through unforeseen challenges. 

“I have actually struggled a lot this week,” said Kim. “I was in the emergency room a few days ago after a really crazy allergic reaction where my throat closed up, and this morning my face was swollen. Then, after my first run slam, my ribs were bothering me, so I’m actually happy with how things worked out because it wasn’t looking so good when I woke up.”

The fact that Kim went on to land a solid second and third run to take the win while in pain and discomfort, makes her performance all the more impressive. 

One thing is for sure, despite taking the top two spots on the podium, there are some great runs left on the table for Kim and Mastro. Kim will look to incorporate her back-to-back 1080's and the frontside double cork 1080 that she has yet to land in competition. Mastro, despite landing the double crippler at multiple World Cups, has yet to take her signature trick to the Buttermilk superpipe. It’s safe to say great things are on the horizon for both U.S. Snowboard Team athletes. 

Haruna Matsumoto of Japan rounded out the podium earning bronze and 14-year-old Sonora Alba made her X Games debut as the youngest competitor at X Games Aspen finishing eighth. 

Earlier in the evening, U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Alex Hall claimed his fifth X Games medal. Hall used his creativity and consistency to his advantage to earn his first podium at X Games Aspen big air. Hall has a big day ahead of him with slopestyle and knuckle huck both on his agenda for Sunday.

“I have been trying to go mellow in practices, but it’s super fun to take part in all three events and I’m hyped for tomorrow,” said Hall. “I just hope I have some energy left for the morning, but no matter what, it will be fun to get back out here for another beautiful day of competition in Aspen.”

Hall stomped his signature switch double cork 1800 Buick and a new double cork 1620 Nose grab, completely capping the tip of his ski. At 6-foot, 4-inches tall, completing a nose grab while executing a massive rotation is quite the spectacle. 
 

The competition was full of many firsts for multiple athletes including Andri Ragettli of Switzerland, who landed a triple cork 1980 for the first time ever to take the win. Antoine Adelisse of France earned silver with no shortage of impressive tricks including a triple cork triple grab, which he referred to as the hardest trick in his arsenal. 

X Games snowboard and freeski action continues Sunday, Jan. 31 with a chock-full program including men’s snowboard slopestyle and women’s snowboard big air, which were added to the schedule after postponements on Saturday due to weather. 

Tune in to watch your favorite U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Team athletes as they take their final shot at taking home hardware from X Games Aspen 2021.

REPLAYS
Men’s ski big air
Women’s snowboard superpipe

RESULTS
Men’s ski big air
Women’s snowboard superpipe

HOW TO WATCH
Subject to change
All times EST
Next-day broadcast
@XGames - Streaming via YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Sunday, Jan. 31
9:30 a.m. - Men’s snowboard slopestyle - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
1:00 p.m. - Men’s ski slopestyle, women's snowboard slopestyle* - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
1:30 p.m. - Women’s snowboard big air - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
8:30 p.m. - Men's snowboard superpipe, men’s snowboard big air, ski knuckle huck - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

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Double-Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated woman in X Games history Jamie Anderson earned her 18th X Games Medal, her seventh gold in snowboard slopestyle, Friday at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo. 

The oldest in the women’s snowboard slopestyle field at 30 years-old, Anderson continues to find the drive and push her limits. 

“I think I’m continuously motivated by all the girls I ride with,” said Anderson. “I don’t know when I’m going to retire. I kind of thought this might be my last season. I don’t know! I’m taking things one day at a time and mixing it up. We don’t have a lot of events this year, so I feel really happy to be here and to try to ride my best.”
 

For someone who mentioned they are on the tail end of their competitive career, her weekend schedule doesn’t resemble that of an athlete who is winding down. Slopestyle was the beginning of a hectic X Games program for Anderson. She’s the only woman snowboarder competing in three disciplines including slopestyle, big air, and knuckle huck. Funnily enough, according to X Games, the last woman that competed in three snowboard disciplines at a single X Games was Anderson half her life ago at 15 years old. 

Throughout all of this, she remains humble, grounded, and an advocate for women’s snowboarding. 

“I’m honestly speechless,” said Anderson immediately following the competition. “I feel grateful and so proud of all of the girls. Zoe’s (Sadowski-Synott) last run was flawless and all the riders continue to inspire me. After all, I can’t believe we are here in the middle of a global pandemic. We definitely missed the fans, but it was definitely a bit more chill, which I actually like. Less work and obligations, just sleep, eat, and snowboard.”

New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synott finished second and Canadian Laurie Blouin rounded out the podium in third. U.S. Snowboard Pro Team member Julia Marino just missed the podium finishing in fourth place. Teammate Hailey Langland did not start due to a crash in training. 

Later in the evening, Dusty Henricksen earned knuckle huck gold in his first-ever X Games appearance. Henricksen will ring his 18th birthday on Monday with some new hardware courtesy of X Games. 

"I didn't think things were going to go my way tonight, but I am so stoked they did," said Henricksen still in awe. "It was amazing to kick-off my first X Games experience with an event that's all about having fun."
 

X Games snowboard action continues tomorrow with men’s slopestyle, women’s big air, and women’s snowboard superpipe. Tune in to watch your favorite U.S. Snowboard Team athletes as they pursue X Games glory. 

REPLAYS
Women’s snowboard slopestyle
Snowboard knuckle huck

RESULTS
Women’s snowboard slopestyle
Snowboard knuckle huck
 

HOW TO WATCH
Subject to change
All times EST
@XGames - Streaming via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

Saturday, Jan. 30
1:00 p.m. - Women’s ski slopestyle, men’s snowboard slopestyle, women’s snowboard big air, women’s ski big air** - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:00 p.m. - Men’s ski big air - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:00 p.m. - Women’s snowboard superpipe, men’s ski big air* - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Sunday, Jan. 31
1:00 p.m. - Men’s ski slopestyle, women’s snowboard slopestyle**, Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:30 p.m. - Men’s snowboard superpipe, men’s snowboard big air, ski knuckle huck - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

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Twenty-eight U.S. freeskiers and snowboarders are set to compete at X Games Aspen 2021 at Buttermilk in Colorado Jan. 29-31. The event will feature men’s and women’s ski and snowboard competitions in the disciplines of slopestyle, halfpipe, big air, and knuckle huck. 

X Games Aspen will also mark the first North American world-class snowboard and freeski event and build momentum as the first back-to-back weekend of elite park and pipe competition this season following last weekend's Laax Open in Switzerland.

In women’s snowboard slopestyle, Jamie Anderson is the most decorated woman in X Games history with 17 medals. Coming hot off a clutch win at the Laax Open, she will be looking to add X Games medal number 18 to her collection.

"I’m so excited to be heading back to Aspen," said Anderson. "X games is one of my favorite events! I have been coming here since I was 13 and I believe I have only missed one year. It's such a trip how quick time goes and I'm grateful for the opportunity again this season."

For the men, Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard is looking to improve on last year’s bronze medal performance. Joining Gerard and making his X Games debut is 2020 U.S. Open silver medalist Dusty Henricksen. The 17-year-old prodigy has been quickly climbing the competitive snowboarding ladder and a podium at X Games would come as no surprise. 

In freeski slopestyle, Colby Stevenson put down a dominant performance last season to become the first X Games rookie to win gold. Stevenson also took gold in the inaugural ski knuckle huck event. 

“I’m feeling super fortunate that X Games is happening during these crazy times,” said Stevenson. “Although there won’t be energy from the crowd we have all come to expect, we will still be pushing ourselves to land the best run possible. There’s nothing more fun than trying to land the most technical run you can think of and that should make for an excellent show.”

Over at the pipe, hometown hero Alex Ferreira is coming off of back-to-back wins in Aspen and will be shooting for the three-peat this year, but it won’t come easy. Alex will have last year’s X Games halfpipe silver medalist, two-time FIS World Champion, and 2019 FIS Crystal Globe winner Aaron Blunck hot on his heels. X Games will serve as Blunck’s first competition back after a horrific crash at Saas-Fee training camp in October. Blunck suffered a grade three laceration on his kidney, a broken pelvis, six broken ribs, and a sprained wrist. In addition, both his lungs and heart were bruised.

“I’m super excited to be back competing again,” said Blunck. “Although I have been working hard throughout my recovery, I am still in shock that I am cleared to ski this soon and I’m beyond grateful for it. I want to come out and do this X Games for myself and for those who supported me through this injury.”

Olympic gold medalists Chloe Kim and Shaun White headline the start list for the snowboarders in the pipe. Kim returned to the contest scene in style last weekend with a victory at the Laax Open after a 22-month hiatus and left a few tricks up her sleeve including back to back 1080’s and the frontside double cork 1080 she’s yet to land in competition. White did not attend the Laax Open and preserved his energy ahead of his first competition since the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games. X Games Aspen 2021 will be his 25th X Games appearance over the past 21 years and, at 34, he'll be the oldest athlete in the field.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, X Games Aspen 2021 will be closed to the public and produced with comprehensive COVID-19 risk mitigation protocols in place for participants and staff.

ESPN, ABC and ESPN2 will televise a combined 13.5 hours of live X Games Aspen competition, which will also be accessible via the ESPN App to viewers who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. In addition, four hours of exclusive coverage of X Games Aspen 2021 will be streamed on the @XGames YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages. Extensive coverage will also be featured across XGames.com, the X Games Aspen App, @XGames on Instagram, Snapchat and more.

Tune in to watch your favorite U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Team athletes take to the famed courses at X Games Aspen 2021. 
 

HOW TO WATCH 
Subject to change
All times EST
@XGames - Streaming via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

Friday, Jan. 29
2:00 p.m. - Women’s snowboard slopestyle - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
4:00 p.m. - Women’s ski big air - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
8:00 p.m. - Snowboard knuckle huck - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
9:00 p.m. - Women’s ski superpipe - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:30 p.m. - Men’s ski superpipe, snowboard knuckle huck* - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN2

Saturday, Jan. 30
1:00 p.m. - Women’s ski slopestyle, men’s snowboard slopestyle, women’s snowboard big air, women’s ski big air** - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:00 p.m. - Men’s ski big air - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:00 p.m. - Women’s snowboard superpipe, men’s ski big air* - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Sunday, Jan. 31
1:00 p.m. - Men’s ski slopestyle, women’s snowboard slopestyle**, Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:30 p.m. - Men’s snowboard superpipe, men’s snowboard big air, ski knuckle huck - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

ATHLETES
X Games Debut*

Snowboard
Red Gerard - SS
Dusty Henricksen* – SS, BA, KH
Judd Henkes - SS
Jamie Anderson – SS, BA, KH
Hailey Langland - SS
Julia Marino – SS, BA
Taylor Gold - HP
Chase Josey - HP
Toby Miller - HP
Shaun White - HP
Sonora Alba* – HP
Chloe Kim - HP
Maddie Mastro - HP
Chris Corning - BA
Lyon Farrell - KH, SS
Jake Canter - KH

Freeski
Nick Goepper - SS
Alex Hall – SS, BA, KH
Colby Stevenson – SS, KH
Caroline Claire – SS, BA
Aaron Blunck – HP
Alex Ferreira – HP
Birk Irving – HP
David Wise – HP
Annalisa Drew – HP
Devin Logan – HP
Brita Sigourney – HP
Quinn Wolferman – BA, KH

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The U.S. Snowboardcross Team continued their early-season success on Sunday with Faye Gulini earning her second podium in as many days finishing in second, and Hagen Kearney claiming third in the final race of the Chiesa in Valmalenco World Cup in Italy. 

While Gulini was confident from her podium performance on Saturday, she knew she would have to maintain the elements of her riding that have proved fruitful thus far. 

“I didn’t come into today thinking I had it in the bag and knew I would have to work for it, maybe even more so than yesterday,” said a thrilled Gulini. “After making it through the initial heat and quarters, that’s when I started to feel like I was going to finals. I tried to focus on getting a good holeshot, which I have done successfully on many of my runs this weekend. I’m really excited I was able to put that element of my riding together when many athletes were struggling with the start.”

Kearney attributes his success to learnings gained from two-consecutive days of competition. 

“I learned a lot from yesterday,” said Kearney. “There was a specific mistake I made in yesterday’s final going into the first turn that cost me a podium. I made sure to not do that again, especially because I trust in everything else I’m doing right now. Today was a fight and it feels good to be on the podium."

One consistent theme that came out of the snowboardcross World Cup season-opening weekend was the tremendous sense of camaraderie among the U.S. Snowboardcross Team athletes, coaches, and staff that, according to Kearney, has really created a competitive edge. 

“Our performance as a team this weekend is just an affirmation that everyone is clicking,” he said. “Our wax techs are in such a good groove and everyone’s boards are going crazy fast to the point where other nations are noticing. Our coaches don’t need to say much to us and are just offering little direction here and there because we are all tuned in to what we know we need to do. The U.S. is incredibly strong right now and it has been fun to be a part of.”

2018 Junior World Champion Jake Vedder just missed earning his second World Cup podium crossing the line behind Kearney in the big final to finish fourth. Although Vedder didn’t podium, his enthusiasm was contagious. Olympic bronze medalist Alex Deibold also had a great day on the course finishing in sixth place. Mick Dierdorfff finished in ninth and Senna Leith in 13th. 

2019-20 FIS Crystal Globe winner Alessandro Haemmerle of Austria won the event and Merlin Surget of France finished second. 

For the women, 2019 FIS World Champion Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic finished first and Julia Pereira De Sousa Mabileau of France rounded out the podium in third. U.S. riders Lindsey Jacobellis and Stacy Gaskill both finished 13th. 

Following the first two World Cup races of the season, the U.S. is looking solid in the FIS Snowboardcross Cup standings. For the women, Gulini is ranked second, only behind Samkova, and Gaskill is 12th. For the men, Kearney sits in fourth, Vedder in eighth, and Deibold in 11th. 

Next up, the U.S. Snowboardcross Team will head to Sweden’s Idre Fjäll Feb. 11-12 for the FIS Snowboardcross World Championships. 

WATCH THE REPLAY ON PEACOCK

RESULTS
Women’s Snowboardcross Finals
Men’s Snowboardcross Finals

HOW TO WATCH
All times in EST
Delayed Broadcast*

Sunday, Jan. 24
12:00 p.m. -  FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, Olympic Channel-TV*
10:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, NBCSN*

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Chloe Kim is back! After a 22 month hiatus from competition, Kim has not skipped a beat. Reminiscent of Jamie Anderson’s performance in slopestyle one day prior, the defending Olympic and World Champion came in clutch on Saturday in her final run to take the win and earn her third Laax Open title. 

“I’m so excited,” said Kim. “The 30-minute wait in between runs was so nerve racking, but I just tried to visualize over and over and talk to my coaches. I was able to stay positive the whole time, which I think really helped me. I couldn’t ask for more.”

After an uncharacteristic fall in the first run, Kim decided to tone it down for her second run and not unleash a new trick, as well as the famed back-to-back 1080 combination displayed at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

“Tonight I wanted to try a new trick on my second run, but at the end of the day, winning is more important,” said a relieved Kim. “I wanted to put something down and told myself I didn’t need to go as big as I did on my first run. I just wanted to slow things down a bit.”

Not only has Kim topping the podium once again, but she’s showing wisdom beyond her years with her approach and competitive strategy. This win marks Kim’s eighth World Cup halfpipe win in 12 starts. Japan’s Mitsuka Ono and Sena Tomita rounded out the podium in second and third place respectively. 

For the men, Olympian Taylor Gold rode very well, but couldn’t put it all together with a complete top to bottom run and finished ninth. Although 18-year-old and new U.S. Snowboard Pro Team member Joey Okesson struggled on his opening tricks in the pipe, there is arguably no better place to gain valuable elite-level competition experience than at a legendary event like the Laax Open. 

Japan’s Yuto Totsuka and Ruka Hirano took first and third place respectively, while Australia's Scotty James finished second. 

The U.S. Snowboard Team will head to Buttermilk, Colo., for X Games Aspen Jan. 29-31, where Kim will look to repossess another title dropping in as the defending champion from 2019. U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Pro Team Head Coach Rick Bower is confident heading into next week. 

“Looking forward to X Games, we have a strong crew ready to compete,” said Bower. “Chloe and Maddie [Mastro] are at the tip of the spear in women’s halfpipe snowboarding progression and I know that Laax will only be fuel for the fire next week.”

WATCH THE REPLAY ON PEACOCK

RESULTS:
Women’s snowboard halfpipe finals
Men’s snowboard halfpipe finals

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST.
Delayed Broadcast*

Saturday, Jan. 23
FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - REPLAY - Laax, Switzerland, Streaming Peacock, Olympic Channel-TV
7:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*
11:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*

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Three-time Olympian Faye Gulini earned her third World Cup podium on Saturday with a second-place finish at the Chiesea in Valmalenco snowboardcross season opener in Italy. In her 14th season competing on the World Cup, Gulini credits her performance to experience. 

“I knew it would be difficult to jump back into competition after such a long break, but I have been doing this for a long time,” said Gulini at 28-years-old. “As you get older, you get smarter, and every season you are a few steps ahead of where you were before. I feel I know more about myself as an athlete and was able to find a really strong headspace for today’s race. I knew it would be more challenging this season with fewer training opportunities available due to COVID, but I did my best to put that behind me and focus on what I know I can do.”

The women’s big final was stacked with 2018 Olympic Champion Michela Moioli winning the event and 2019 FIS World Champion Eva Samkova finishing third. U.S. Development Group athlete Stacy Gaskill earned her career-best World Cup result finishing 10th.

Gulini was not the only U.S. rider to make a run at the podium. U.S. Snowboardcross Pro Team members Hagen Kearney and Jake Vedder both broke the top-10 finishing fourth and eighth respectively. Glenn De Blois of the Netherlands topped the podium followed by Eliot Grondin of Canada in second and Lorenzo Sommariva of Italy in third.

Gulini spoke to the team motivation that has been the catalyst to their early success. 

“We know the future of the sport depends on all of us earning results and promoting snowboardcross,” she said. “Even though it’s an individual sport, we are all quite supportive of each other. Today the U.S. was definitely the most vocal team out there cheering relentlessly. Knowing we have the support of our team and staff gives us the extra confidence and boost that we all need. We want it as bad for each other as we do for ourselves.”

While a difficult off-season could tear many teams apart, the U.S. Snowboardcross Team seems to be finding their groove among athletes, coaches, and staff. 

“All around we have been able to maintain a super high level of training despite everything that’s going on,” said U.S. Snowboardcross Team Head Coach Peter Foley. “All the athletes maintained their physical fitness, everyone has been very diligent regarding health and safety precautions, and our wax program has been truly amazing. All these elements combined with positive attitudes across the board contributed to our success today.”

U.S. riders will take to the course at Chiesea in Valmalenco again on Sunday, Jan. 24, for the second and final race of the program. Tune in on NBC’s broadcast and streaming platforms to catch all the action. 

REPLAY

RESULTS
Women’s Snowboardcross Finals
Men’s Snowboardcross Finals
 

HOW TO WATCH
All times in EST
Delayed Broadcast*

Sunday, Jan. 24
8:00 a.m. - FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - LIVE - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. -  FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, Olympic Channel-TV*
10:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, NBCSN*

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Double-Olympic gold medalist Jamie Anderson earned her fifth Laax Open title in Switzerland on Thursday at the FIS Snowboard World Cup slopestyle season opener.

“Today was really fun,” said Anderson. “I absolutely love to compete and it’s good to be back. I just wanted to go big, pop, grab and smile. I'm proud of myself for being able to stay mellow, keep it together, and put down the run I wanted to.”

Anderson’s performance came as no surprise, but overcast skies, wind, and snow added an element of uncertainty to the competition. The day called for low light lenses and plenty of blue dye on the landing to create perspective for the athletes. Anderson’s experience and ability to carry speed through the entire course served her well. 

U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Team Head Coach Mike Jankowski was elated about Anderson’s performance. 

“I’m happy to see Jamie get back into the contest swing with another win,” he said. ”She’s such a clutch competitor and a true legend. Her runs today were clean, technical, and going big was the name of the game for Jamie.”

After qualifying first in the semi-finals, Anderson had the luxury of dropping last. It became clear that many riders were struggling to clear the jumps, so she decided to put down a conservative but stylish first run to lock down second-place.

On the second and final run, Anderson had her sights set on the top of the podium and she successfully surpassed New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synott to take the lead. Not only did Anderson improve on her rails, but she increased her degree of difficulty by adding a perfectly stomped a cab double 900 Weddle into the mix. Anderson’s victory marks her seventh World Cup slopestyle win in 11 starts, as well as the ninth slopestyle win for a U.S. rider at the Laax Open since 2002. At 30-years-old and as the veteran in the field, this snowboarding icon shows no signs of slowing down.

Sadowski Synnott finished second and Australia's Tess Coady finished third. 

For the men, U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team member and 17-year-old Jake Canter stepped up for the Americans making his first World Cup final in only his third slopestyle start. He was no slouch in finals either, finishing in a respectable sixth place. Canter’s performance was highlighted by a very technical switch boardslide underflip 630 in the rails section, one of the heavier rail tricks of the day. 

Canter shared his excitement about being able to compete at the legendary event. 

"I've always wanted to compete at the Laax Open, so this past week was a dream for me," said Canter.  "Also, being able to land runs and compete against people I look up to really made every moment count. It was definitely a learning experience." 

Niklas Mattsson of Sweden won the event, Leon Vockensprger of Germany finished second and Norway’s Marcus Keveland rounded out the podium in third. 

Up next, Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim and the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team will take to the superpipe Saturday, Jan. 23, to close out the 2021 Laax Open. Be sure to action all the action on NBC’s broadcast and streaming platforms. 

RESULTS
Women’s slopestyle finals
Men’s slopestyle finals

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST.
Delayed Broadcast*

Saturday, Jan. 23
11:45 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - LIVE - Laax, Switzerland, Streaming Peacock, Olympic Channel-TV
7:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*

Sunday, Jan. 24
1:00 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*
 

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The U.S. Revolution Tour will once again support the freeski and snowboard development pipeline with back-to-back weeks of FIS NorAm competition. The 17th edition of the Rev Tour kicks off at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo., and marks a new collaboration with the esteemed Aspen Snowmass Open.

“We want to thank the freeski and snowboard community for their support and patience as we navigate the challenging landscape for hosting competitions this season,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Events Manager Sarah Emery. “We owe a huge shout out to our amazing resort partners for their continued support and dedication to delivering safe and progressive competitions. We are excited about our new partnership with the Aspen Snowmass Open and look forward to adding snowboard back to this legacy event.”

The Rev Tour at the Aspen Snowmass Open is set to kick things off with halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air competitions Feb. 21-26. Competitions will take place on the X Games Aspen courses, providing a taste of what it takes to compete at the pinnacle of freeski and snowboard competition. 

The Rev Tour is focused on athletes 13-19 years of age and awards top athletes an invite to compete in the U.S. Grand Prix, Junior Worlds, and participate in Project Gold camps. Events are open to prequalified athletes, but additional opportunities also are available to earn a chance to compete. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s continued partnership with USASA and The Futures Tour provides an avenue for athletes to qualify for the Rev Tour as a “last chance qualifier” into the current season, as well as solidify their prequalified spot for 2021-22 season. Athletes can also register an alternate, in which case FIS and World Snowboard Points List rankings will determine the athletes selected to complete the field. 

All events are contingent on local and state health department approvals based on existing and future COVID-19 rules and regulations. FIS, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, local organizing committees, and host venues are taking a unified approach consistent with guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities.

For More Information Contact:
Lyndsay Gang
Events Administrative Coordinator 
lyndsay.gang@usskiandsnowboard.org
 

The 2020-21 FIS Snowboardcross World Cup season is ready to start up in Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, with two races Jan. 23-24 after a delay due to challenges with the ongoing pandemic. This minor setback has only fueled the fire among U.S. Snowboardcross Team Athletes. 

“We are so excited to finally be headed to the first World Cup of the season,” said U.S. Snowboardcross Team Head Coach Peter Foley. “Despite all the craziness of operating in a COVID world, we have managed to maintain a high level of training and I’m really proud of the commitment these athletes have exhibited throughout all the uncertainty. We feel incredibly lucky to be doing this and now it’s time to let it rip on the racecourse.”

Eighteen riders will represent the U.S. including the 2019 individual FIS World Champion Mick Dierdorff and six-time World Champion Lindsey Jacobellis. Pro team member Faye Gulini is also set to compete following a solid 2019-20 season. Gulini led the way for the U.S., finishing fifth overall in the FIS World Cup Standings as well as earning a top-10 result in every race she entered. 

Senna Leith, who claimed his first World Cup podium last season in Calgary, Alberta, reflected on being able to return to competition while navigating the current state of the world.

“I’m super excited to finally get back to some competitions,” Said Leith. “Because of the pandemic, it’s been 10 months since the last time I was in a World Cup setting, which is crazy to even think about. We’ve been training so hard throughout all of this craziness and making the best of our situations. I am definitely excited to get back into the World Cup start gate. I am feeling strong and confident in my riding after these last few training camps, and now it’s time for the real thing. The last time I was in Valmalenco was for my first ever Junior World Championships seven years ago. It’s such a beautiful place with a great course, and I am really looking forward to being back there.”

Also representing the U.S. is a group of riders who have been excelling on the Europa and NorAm Cup circuits. U.S. Development Group rider Meghan Tierney topped the Europa Cup Standings last season with a first and second-place finish at Isola 2000 in France, as well as a third-place finish in the last race of the year in Grasgehren, Germany. Meanwhile, In the 2019-20 NorAm Cup standings, U.S. women swept the top three spots with development riders Anna Miller in first, and Livia Molodyh and Stacey Gaskill in second and third respectively. For the men, Mikey LaCroix dominated the Nor-Am circuit earning podiums at all four races he entered. 

The first snowboardcross World Cup of the season is sure to be a thrilling one. Tune in on NBC’s broadcast and streaming platforms to catch all the action. 

HOW TO WATCH
All times in EST 
Delayed Broadcast*

Saturday, Jan. 23
7:30 a.m. - FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - LIVE -Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, Jan. 24
8:00 a.m. - FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - LIVE - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. -  FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, Olympic Channel-TV*
10:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboardcross World Cup Finals - Chiesea in Valmalenco, Italy, NBCSN*
 

ATHLETES
Women
Meghan Tierney
Lindsey Jacobellis
Faye Gulini
Stacy Gaskill
Livia Molodyh
Anna Miller
Rosie Mancari
Madeline Lochte-Bono

Men
Jake Vedder
Senna Leith
Mike Lacroix
Jonathan Cheever
Hagen Kearney
Mick Dierdorff
Alex Deibold
Nick Baumgartner
Mckinzie Edwards
Paul Kimisky

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The U.S. Snowboard Team is primed to make their 2020-21 slopestyle and halfpipe FIS World Cup season debut Jan. 19-23 in Laax, Switzerland, led by none other than Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim. 

After spending the entire 2019-20 competition season studying at the prestigious Princeton University, Kim is ready to drop back into the pipe with a positive attitude. 

“I’m excited to finally be able to compete again,” said Kim “I feel a little nervous, but at the same time, I am feeling really confident. I want to do my best and have fun. Laax always has a perfect pipe for me to put runs together and learn new tricks. That’s all I am thinking about!”

Laax will mark Kim’s first competition since March of 2019. Due to cancellations and postponements associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, Kim is not the only one who will need to get the competitive juices flowing again. The last time the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team competed in a World Cup competition was just under a year ago at the final World Cup of the season in Calgary, Alberta, Feb. 13-16.

U.S. Snowboard Pro Team member Taylor Gold has fond memories of the 2020 Laax Open after taking third place and landing the first-ever double Michalchuk 1080 in snowboard halfpipe competition. U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team Head Coach Rick Bower commented on the impact of his performance following the competition, “It has been an epic five-year battle returning from a shattered knee cap, but now the world knows Taylor Gold is back.” This season Taylor is confident, healthy, and ready to get another strong performance under his belt.

"I'm stoked that we're getting the opportunity to compete during these strange times," said Gold. "If I could pick one international event to attend this season, it would be the Laax Open without question. Laax always feels like a special trip because the pipe is the best in the world and we usually get at least one epic pow day at some point in the trip. Last year's Laax Open was my favorite event of the season, and doing well was very cathartic after years of rehabbing my knee. I'm hoping the stars align for a great event and some great turns again this year."

U.S. Slopestyle riders will have high expectations coming into the event after walking away with three podiums in 2020. The Laax slopestyle course is always unique and creative allowing each rider to paint their own canvas for the judges and fans. Historically, the competitors in Laax have always displayed a unique approach to the course. It will likely take much more than a “spin to win” mentality to walk away on the podium this week.

U.S. Snowboard Pro Team members, Brock Crouch, Hailey Langland, and double Olympic gold medalist Jamie Anderson are ready to compete and set the tone for the Americans. Langland will be searching for her first podium at the Laax Open. 

“I’m super excited to be back in the competition scene," she said. "It was daunting to travel across the sea for the first time since exactly one year ago, but it humbles me to be able to see familiar faces back in Laax. I missed competing, especially with all of my friends.”

Haled as the premiere snowboard contest in all of Europe, the Laax Open never disappoints. Tune in on NBC’s broadcast and streaming platforms to catch the action live. 

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST.
Delayed Broadcast*

Friday, Jan. 22
7:15 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Finals - LIVE - Laax, Switzerland, Streaming Peacock, Olympic Channel-TV

Saturday, Jan. 23
11:45 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - LIVE - Laax, Switzerland, Streaming Peacock, Olympic Channel-TV
7:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*

Sunday, Jan. 24
1:00 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*

ATHLETES
Women’s Halfpipe
Chloe Kim
Maddie Mastro
Tessa Maud
Alexandria Simsovits
Taylor Obregon
Kinsley White
Zoe Kalapos

Men’s Halfpipe
Taylor Gold
Chase Josey
Chase Blackwell
Joey Okesson
Jack Coyne
Lucas Foster
Jason Wolle
Ryan Wachendorfer

Women’s Slopestyle
Jamie Anderson
Hailey Langland
Isabella Gomez

Men’s Slopestyle
Brock Crouch
Fynn Bullock-Womble
Jake Canter
Dave Retzlaff

FOLLOW
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Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard
 

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