Elite Girls hang Tough in Grand Prix

The seasons first of four Olympic qualifying events kicked off yesterday on another single digit morning. The US Snowboard Grand Prix is the nations undisputed top level competition series and this year is proving better than ever. All of the worlds best female halfpipe riders were there and just to get on the start list is multi year effort of training, strategizing and competing to become qualified. SMS Girls Shelby Simpson, Jenn Cohen and Serena Shaw lined up with the best and held their FIS seeding with style. With Shelby barely walking two days earlier and Serena only spinning for the recent three days of training due to injuries the girls made a sound showing.
Senior Jenn Cohen lead the way in 39th place. Serena and Shelby were 41st and 42nd respectively. I am very proud of the effort and ability to hold thier composure against the best from around the globe.
Top three qualifiers were Gretchen Bleiler, Kelly Clark and Soko Yamaoka of Japan. Huge news for SMS alumnus Ellery Hollingsworth who qualified in 6th overall for finals, making her the number four american. Right square in the hunt for 2010 Olympic berth. Lizzy Beerman was going for the big run but her fs 900 caused her some problems in the first run and she didn't land it in run two, she finished 23rd riding to compete for finals. Pretty cool way to go.
Spencer, Joe and Hames are competing today and im heading up momentarily to catch the action and enjoy some all around shredding with my crew before heading back Sunday. Woodward training this afternoon will be followed by an big air exhibition tonight.

photos; top Jenn Cohen fs-three. Bottom Serena Shaw boosted method air.

SMS Snowboarding: Right Place Right Time.

When it comes to playing on snow, being in the right place at the right time is crucial. When it comes to training the up and coming national class of competitive snowboarders there is no place in the world right now to compare with Copper Mtn. If there is another halfpipe on the planet I can promise you it is not as good as this one. So once again this year, "hats off" to Stratton Mountain School, our Snowboard PD Mike Mallon and the parents who make this training trip happen. Your athletes and children are working to find their early season skills in a hurry and doing so alongside the worlds best.
Ian Kirk, Scott Johnston and Mike Sullivan have been here for a week already and are working on snow, in the gym, the skatepark and in the homes taking the kids through every phase of their days.

22 feet of elliptical transition. Snowplex Jumps and Safe Landings.

I stayed home for Thanksgiving and likewise for most of my Elite Girls Crew. In our third day on snow together for the season we are finding ours skills returning as we get used to altitude, edging, speed and impact. Serena took a tough crash last week so she is taking the time to focus on her straight airs (non rotation tricks) until riding is more pain free. I know she is frustrated. She is one of the most driven athletes I have been around. Check out how she deals with the pain.
Stale fish is the name of the trick. Ow?


Jenn Cohen is starting her senior year on snow with some increased amplitude to compliment her solid stance and smoothe style.










Frontside air 25feet above the floor.

Kiley K fitting in and a bit above.

New SMS snowboard athlete Kiley Kennedy joined the program at the Denver airport and has made a seamless transition, giving every appearance of a seasoned team member. While the rest of the crew has been bouncing and skating, training, eating , breathing and watching snowboarding KK has been playing soccer at Choate. The change in her riding in three days shows promise for another great season. KK was an age group national freestyle champ last year. Welcome aboard.
Senior Slopestyle standout India Stephenson is working her edges and using the pipe training to build those slope skills. Tomorrow IK is taking her to Breck to ride some jumps and rails. Her idea of a good ride is stomping a long spin en rte to a steel rail. I think she will love it.
Phoebe Novello is nursing that sprained ankle from a month ago but she says the chairlift is what hurts the most. So PN rides the chair switch and hikes a bit. She does not stop. It was tough to choose which photo to show of Phoebe.








How about a nice big lien air. YUP.

Finally I am proud to report that senior Shelby Simpson, a four year SMS student athlete is daily cementing her grand dame status on the Team. Shelby is the proud owner of one of the nations more progressive pipe runs and her strength on board right now is telling me that the progression is going to come with amplitude this year.









Shelby
Front side air.

We left the snow for the Woodward
indoor skate, and air awareness gym. The facility is THE state of the art jump training center with foam pits next to trampolines and beneath snowplex jumps. Surrounding these great fixtures are numerous skate ramps and bowls. I cant help but see something similar as part of the SMS campus someday. Our clinic guide was none other than Rick Shimpeno (longtime sms coach) accompanied by former Green Mtn Series Halfpipe Overall Champ and SMS alum Kim Stacey. Even on these busiest days the girls lament the absence of Mak T here and wish for her speedy return. These girls will train on snow at Copper again tomorrow and kickbox at the Rec Center . Yoga in the am and rest on weds.