US announces 2019/20 squad, updates on Copper halfpipe World Cup

US Snowboard team announced for 2019/20 season

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced the 2019-20 U.S. Snowboard Team today, featuring seven Olympic medalists, including snowboardcross athletes Lindsey Jacobellis and Alex Deibold, slopestyle athletes Red Gerard, Kyle Mack, and Jamie Anderson, as well as halfpipe athletes Arielle Gold and Chloe Kim. Kim has elected to not compete this season in order to attend the prestigious Princeton University, but will remain a member of the U.S. Snowboard Team throughout her hiatus.

“Our U.S. Team riders have been on snow in training camps throughout the off-season and look more prepared than ever as we get into the competition season,” said U.S Freeski and Snowboard Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Big Air Head Coach Mike Jankowski. “Between athletes putting time on airbags, in the gym, and on-snow, this season has all the ingredients to be one of the most successful yet.”

This is no easy task, as the 2018-19 season had no shortage of milestones with athletes earning seven podiums at the 2019 FIS Snowboard World Championships, five podiums across two Junior World Championships, 20 podiums at World Cup events, and 12 podiums at elite level events including the U.S. Open, Dew Tour and X Games. Moving into the 2019-20 season, the U.S. Snowboard Team will field 32 pro-level and 15 rookie and development level riders. Last season, these rookies collected an impressive five Junior World Championship medals. In addition, the 2018 U.S. Snowboard Junior World Championship team won the FIS Marc Hodler Trophy awarded to the winningest nation at the event.

“Across the teams, we have an incredible group of riders,” said U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Director Jeremy Forster. “It’s not only due to their talent and skill set, but their personalities and unique qualities that allow the U.S. Snowboard Team to strive to be the best in the world. With a stacked competition schedule, I look forward to seeing what we will accomplish this season.”

Find the full story and list US team nominations HERE

Copper Mountain set to host halfpipe World Cup season-opener

With FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Cup competition already underway in some disciplines, the world’s best halfpipe skiers and riders are gearing up to kick off their northern hemisphere season at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colo. Dec. 11-14. The event will serve as the second halfpipe World Cup stop for the freeskiers and the season opener for the snowboarders.

“Copper is always the first event of the year and I have never done well at this location,” said 2018 PyeongChang Olympic silver medalist Alex Ferreira. “For that reason, I am extremely motivated to get my first memorable result at Copper. I have been training like a mad man, so when the time comes, I will see if my preparation pays off!”

The U.S. Grand Prix is more than just another stop on the World Cup Circuit. This is the 24th season of Grand Prix competition and the 11th year of the Copper Mountain Resort Grand Prix partnership. It’s no coincidence that the relationship between Copper Mountain, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and athletes from across the globe has been so successful.

“Copper Mountain’s commitment to producing excellent early season conditions, fostering an environment of progression, and opening their arms to world-class athletes is what makes Copper the ideal venue for World Cup halfpipe competition,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Event Director Nick Alexakos. “Year after year, Copper continues to produce a 22-foot Olympic sized superpipe available for training and competition. This is no small feat. Building a quality superpipe demands significant time, resources, and skilled terrain park staff, but Copper has never shied away from the challenge.”

Maddie Mastro will lead the way for the women of U.S. Snowboard Team and is focussed on finally earning what has been an elusive first-place finish. She placed second in 2017 and 2018, but has never come in with this much momentum. Maddie finished the season making history at the U.S. Open by landing the first-ever double crippler in the women’s snowboard halfpipe competition besting Chloe for the gold.

“I’m looking forward to kicking off the season at Copper,” said Maddie. I have done well there in years past, but have yet to take the top spot. I feel I had a strong season last year and can hopefully continue to put my best snowboarding on display. Copper should be a great competition and I look forward to reconnecting with the halfpipe community.”

For the men, Toby Miller and Chase Josey will be looking to repeat their early-season success from 2018. Last year, Toby earned his first-ever World Cup podium with a second-place finish at the Copper Grand Prix alongside teammate Chase Josey in third place. Both Toby and Chase went on to swap podium positions at the Dew Tour only a week later. Miller and Josey both have proved there is no need to shake off the cobwebs early in the year podiuming at the first two events of the 2018-19 season. However, they have some stiff competition with Australian Scotty James looking to defend his title.

The Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix’s second and final stop will be at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Jan. 29 - Feb.1. Mammoth Mountain’s Unbound Terrain Park consistently delivers a world-class venue for both training and competition. This season’s Grand Prix will feature both slopestyle and halfpipe competition.

Join us at Copper Mountain to kick-off your winter with some of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s biggest stars or tune in below to catch the action from home.

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LAND ROVER U.S. GRAND PRIX - COPPER MOUNTAIN
Event Schedule
*Subject to change

Dec. 11: Freeski Halfpipe qualifications
Dec. 12: Snowboard Halfpipe qualifications
Dec. 13: Freeski Halfpipe Finals
Dec. 14: Snowboard Halfpipe Finals

Read the full story HERE

BONUS: US Snowboard team partners with Volcom, releases hilarious announcement video

And this, folks, is how you announce your new outerwear partnership with a splash, as the US team brings onboard rap kingpins Run The Jewels and basketball legend Shaquille O'Neil for this hilarious clip...