The U.S. Snowboard team is flush with Colorado riders this Olympic season, led by Silverthorne’s own Red Gerard returning for his third Winter Games.
Colorado claims nine athletes in three disciplines: halfpipe, slopestyle/big air and snowboard cross. Only California has more athletes with 10 on the U.S. team.
Joining Gerard on the women’s slopestyle side is first-time pro teamer Lily Dhawornvej, of Frisco. The 15-year-old Copper ripper took the scene by storm last year when she made the podium at her debut X Games, just weeks after earning her invite at the Copper streetstyle open.
Returning to the halfpipe team are veterans Chase Blackwell, of Leadville, and Telluride’s Lucas Foster. Steamboat’s Maddie Schaffrick came out of retirement last season for one last shot at the Olympics.
Eyeing a return to the big air team is Chris Corning, of Avon. He is joined by Jake Canter, of Evergreen, and recent rookie-turned-pro Ollie Martin. The 16-year-old Wolcott ripper erupted last season with three World Cup podiums, including a slopestyle win.
Just two athletes are pre-qualified for the U.S. Olympic team – Gerard and Chloe Kim. Two-time Olympic champ Jamie Anderson is back from maternity leave. Another Olympic champ, snowboard cross veteran Lindsey Jacobellis, will miss the season to be with her newborn.
The rest of the U.S. Olympic team depends on big showings on the World Cup circuit. First event is Nov. 27-29 for big air in Beijing. Snowboard cross begins Dec. 12-14 in Cervinia. Halfpipe opens at home Dec. 17-19 for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Copper Mountain.
Preview image of Lily Dhawornvej via IG.