Katy's Blurty

Just Some Favorites
MY FAVORITE SNOWBOARDER

Hannah Teter
Pro Snowboarder
Birth date: 01/27/1987
Hometown: Belmont, VT
Threat:
Professional snowboarder, surfed for only a few weeks, skates for fun

Bio:
Hannah is a pro snowboarder who began following in the footsteps of her two brothers, Abe and Elijah Teter (also pro snowboarders), at the age of nine. She was selected to the United States Snowboard A Team for 2002/03. She also took bronze in the X Games half pipe and placed third in the U.S. Open half pipe and slope style, earning her a new car--which she doesn't yet have a license to drive. Hannah splits her time between high school classes and snowboard training at Okemo Mountain School. She has raised the bar for women's half pipe riding and continues to push the level of trick difficulty

ANOTHER FAVORITE SNOWBOARDER
Chanelle Sladics
Pro Snowboarder
Birth date: 11/17/1984
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Threat:
Member of the U.S. Snowboard Team, recreational skateboarder, and lifelong Newport Beach surfer

Bio:
Chanelle Sladics is a So Cal rider native to the surf Mecca known as Newport Beach, CA Winning the ISF Half pipe Junior World Championships in Wanaka, NZ (Sept. '02) earned her a first-place spot at WX.

MY FAVORITE SURFER

Mike Morrissey
Pro Surfer
Hometown: Laguna Beach, CA
Threat:
Pro surfer, lifelong skateboarder, great snowboarder

Bio:
A product of Southern California, Mike is laid back, happy-go-lucky and he's not afraid to have a good time. He grew up skim boarding and skateboarding but didn't start surfing until he was 15. Now a professional surfer, he's known to all as a 3-Way threat. He was actually the leader of the overall ranking after the surf and skate contests in last years Quick Cup.

FAVORITE SKATEBOARDERS: Bob Burnquist, Pierre-Luc Gagnon
FAVORITE BMXERS: Cory Nastazio, TJ Lavin, Chris Doyle, Allan Cooke, Dave Mirra, Alistair Whitton
Notable:
Cory Nastazio is a rider of incredible presence: he's got a bottomless bag of big tricks and pulls them with outrageously tweaked style. His personality is equally bold, with his "Nasty" nickname, spiked hair and tattoos covering his upper body, He was voted the favorite rider by the readers of both BMX Plus and Ride magazines in 2002. For much of '01-'02 Cory's backyard trails were "Dirt Jump Central" with up to 30 riders a day sessioning the monster jumps. Longtime friend and close associate of his Vans teammate Stephen Murray.

Quote:
Cory, heckling a handful of pros during practice: "You're looking good, baby, but I'm looking better."

SHAUN WHITE
NickName: THE EGG
Born: SAN DIEGO, CA USA
Birthdate: 09/03/1986
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Weight: 125 lbs.
Hometown: CARLSBAD, CA
Occupation: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT/ PRO SNOWBOARDER / PRO SKATEBOARDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1993
Competitor since: 2003

Notable:
Shaun White, who received the ESPY award for Best Action Sports Athlete for 2003 and double gold medals from Winter X 2003, is only 16-years old and is now a professional athlete in two board sports: Snowboarding and Skateboarding. Oh, and he also took 1st at Global, the U.S. Open Slopestyle, the Arctic Challenge Slopestyle, the Nippon Open Halfpipe and finished the season ranked #1 in the World Snowboarding Federation Slopestyle--all in 2003.

Quote:
"I feel like being away from skating [to snowboard] got me so much more into it. I have this drive when I start skating again to learn all these tricks. Right away I can pick up on a bunch of new tricks."

CANDIDE THOVEX
Born: ANNECY FRA
Birthdate: 05/22/1982
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Weight: 130 lbs.
Hometown: LA CLUSAZ FRA
Occupation: SKIER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1984
Competitor since: 1990

Notable:
Candide Thovex has become a household name in the world of freeskiing. He ruled Powder magazine's Superpark 4 at Mammoth, CA, pulling a 110-foot corked 5 toxic. His fellow athletes crowned him Superpark MVP for the feat. Thovex lost no momentum coming into the '02/'03 season. He took first in slopestyle, and seconds in both big air and halfpipe on his way to an overall win at the Rip Curl Freeski comp at Saas Fee, SUI in Dec.

Quote:
On his '02/'03 goals: "Make better results in competitions, make good footage, and ride powder a lot!"

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FMX

NATE ADAMS
NickName: NATE DOG
Born: GLENDALE, AZ USA
Birthdate: 03/29/1984
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 165 lbs.
Hometown: WITTMANN, AZ USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1992
Competitor since: 1998

Notable:
Unofficially known as the best freestyler never to medal at XG or WX, Adams executed the first backflip no-hander lander ever in competition (April 2003 Vans Triple Crown, Minneapolis). Was paid $50,000 in Nov. '02 to flip in Pesaro, Italy.

Quote:
"I haven't liked my execution recently on a lot of the tricks I do like Rock Solids, Corpses, Super Cans and stuff. So I've been working hard to polish all of those."

MATT BUYTEN
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 150 lbs.
Hometown: CARSON CITY, NV USA
Occupation: PRO FREESTYLE RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1991
Competitor since: 1992

Notable:
Part of the growing contingent of Reno-area riders, Buyten won the WFA event at Reno Oct. 19, '02 (in Step Up). The rookie X Gamer also was on the podium in four of the five Step Up contests in the '02-03 WFA season and narrowly won the Step Up points title. A Step Up medal contender at XG '03.

Quote:
On winning at Reno: "That was so awesome. To win in front of all my friends and against all those great riders; I couldn't ask for anything better than that."

JEREMY CARTER
NickName: NONE (BUT MOM CALLS HIM BOO)
Born: COARSEGOLD, CA USA
Birthdate: 04/18/1977
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 170 lbs.
Hometown: COARSEGOLD, CA USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1990
Competitor since: 1991

Notable:
One of the most well-liked riders among his peers, XG '03 is Carter's fourth XG. Suffered a horrific accident during Freestyle practice at XG '01; he overshot his landing, hit the flats and broke both of his legs and knocked out several teeth. It was five months before he could walk again.

Quote:
On XG '03: "I just hope the [Step Up] lip feels good and that I'm feeling it. I'm usually either really good at Step Up or really bad, there's no in between. A lot of it is luck, really. You just pin it and hope for the best."

BRIAN DEEGAN
Born: OMAHA, NE USA
Birthdate: 05/09/1975
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Weight: 170 lbs.
Hometown: TEMECULA, CA
Occupation: PRO FREESTYLE RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Children: 1
Participant since: 1985
Competitor since: 1988

Notable:
A true OG and one of the most influential riders in the sport, Deegan's freestyle routine appeared dated and dull at XG '02, but the addition of the flip to his list of tricks has re-energized the all-time Moto X XG medal leader. He has 6 XG bronze medals (covering all 3 disciplines) and one Winter X Big Air gold from '02.

Quote:
"Learning the flip makes me look at the whole sport totally differently. It's opened up a whole new realm of possibilities and I don't think it's close to hitting its peak."

RONNIE FAISST
NickName: KUNG FU FAISST
Born: SOMERS POINT, NJ USA
Birthdate: 06/22/1977
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 180 lbs.
Hometown: CORONA, CA USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1985
Competitor since: 1986

Notable:
A freestyle vet, Ronnie has always been mid-pack -- until now. Faisst learned the flip early in '03 and has suddenly become a contender. He won his first event when he claimed the WFA Big Air comp in July at Randall's Island, NY.

Quote:
"It's about time I won something. It felt good, and now I want a lot more. I've always been consistent top 5, top 10, but at New York I had it going on and I knew I could win. That's the first time in my life I've really felt that way, and it's nice."

CAREY HART
NickName: VEGAS
Born: LAS VEGAS, NV USA
Birthdate: 07/17/1975
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 170 lbs.
Hometown: LAS VEGAS, NV USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1978
Competitor since: 1981

Notable:
Freestyle motocross legend, Cary Hart, enjoys rock star status thanks to being the first to attempt the flip in a comp (the 2000 G-Games) and his girlfriend, pop superstar Pink. In one of the most dramatic moments of XG '02, Carey finally nailed the flip in a comp during Big Air, earning silver.

Quote:
"The flip's something that's always been associated with me. It felt so good to stomp it with all the fans there and put it behind me. It was great to get the whole thing off my back; it was closure for me."

DAYNE KINNAIRD
NickName: HOPPA
Born: NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES AUS
Birthdate: 07/16/1982
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 140 lbs.
Hometown: NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES AUS
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1986
Competitor since: 1991

Notable:
Dayne has one of the smoothest styles in freestyle and can throw a killer combo. Also, after long saying he wasn't interested in the flip, he recently learned it. Relocated to the U.S., the Aussie's biggest flaw is that he's intimidated by big gaps and thus won't use the whole XG course.

Quote:
On XG: "Hopefully I'll be a threat. I'll get the flip down, do some combos and maybe get a top three. It's so hard, though. You've got Travis, Kenny, Metzger -- all these great riders who have the flip and heaps of big tricks."

DRAKE MCELROY
NickName: DMC
Born: RENO, NV USA
Birthdate: 08/30/1981
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 135 lbs.
Hometown: FERNLEY, NV USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Children: 1
Participant since: 1983
Competitor since: 1985

Notable:
Maybe the best non-flip freestyler, Drake is a fan and fellow rider favorite because of his huge extension and innovative nature. Once derisively known as a "ramp kid," the Reno-area rider is equally at home doing dirt hits.

Quote:
On the flip: "I'll do it eventually, but I really don't care to do it for anyone but myself. I had planned on doing it this spring, but I've got a lot of money-making things lined up that I need to be healthy for, like demos and the Hawk tour. I just bought a house, too, so I have to balance danger with profitable stuff."

MIKE METZGER
NickName: THE GODFATHER
Born: HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA USA
Birthdate: 11/19/1975
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 150 lbs.
Hometown: MENIFEE, CA USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Married
Children: 2
Participant since: 1978
Competitor since: 1981

Notable:
Metzger became one of the most famous people in action sports by throwing back-to-back flips to win Freestyle gold at XG '02. His name is synonymous with freestyle as a pioneer, innovator and creative force. For 2003, his focus has changed to Supermoto.

Quote:
On his style: "I'm unique and original and everyone else copies me and that's the way it's always been. But I'm OK with that; I expect it now."

BENOIT MILOT
Born: TROIS-RIVIERES, QUEBEC CAN
Birthdate: 07/15/1982
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 170 lbs.
Hometown: MONTREAL, QUEBEC CAN
Occupation: PRO FREESTYLER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1991
Competitor since: 1993

Notable:
The only Canadian in the field, Milot is yet another FMXer who has pulled the flip, though he's sketchy. Milot finished 12th in Step Up at XG '02.

Quote:
"Making last year's ['02] X Games was the greatest. It was my goal, and it was so fun. And it really helped me here; now I'm a bigger name in Canada. I got a lot of exposure and promoters know I was in XG and always want me for demos."

COLIN MORRISON
Born: MOORPARK, CA USA
Birthdate: 05/16/1982
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 150 lbs.
Hometown: MOORPARK, CA USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1996
Competitor since: 1997

Notable:
One of freestyle motocross' younger up-and-coming riders, 19 year-old Colin Morrison is already burnt out on contests. Like many Metal Mulisha riders, he prefers to ride in shows, and has become a regular on the Warped Tour.

Quote:
"I hate contests. I'm trying not to do them as much. Contests are almost turning into racing. It's no fun anymore. There's like 50 guys at each one. It used to be sick when it was just the boys, and we went out and just had fun and put on a sick show. All the racers are getting into it now."

DOUG PARSONS
Born: SAN BERNARDINO, CA USA
Birthdate: 12/19/1978
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hometown: RIVERSIDE, CA USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1986
Competitor since: 1989

Notable:
A consistent but unspectacular FMXer, Parsons has competed in 7 XG/WX events prior to '03 but has never finished higher than 7th in any of them. Known for one of the sickest whips in the biz and a tendency to lose focus during Freestyle runs.

Quote:
On the flip: "I won't have it by X Games and I'm fine with that. Actually, I feel a lot better without the pressure of doing the flip. Before it was like, 'Can I learn it? Should I?' and now I know I won't. I'm pretty stoked for X now."

DAN PASTOR
Born: GREENSBURG, PA USA
Birthdate: 06/28/1978
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Weight: 155 lbs.
Hometown: GREENSBURG, PA USA
Occupation: PRO FREESTYLE RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1982
Competitor since: 1993

Notable:
After surprising most by taking the 2001 WFA Freestyle points crown, Pastor came back to earth in 2002. Of course, hurting his right shoulder in practice for WX VI affected his standing. It bothered him all winter, and the jarring landings kept him from hitting the Super-kicker ramp at contests.

Quote:
On XG in his home state: "I think maybe 60 or so are coming this year. It's cool they're all gonna be there, but when I'[m riding it's just me and my bike; I don't think about anything else."

TRAVIS PASTRANA
Born: ANNAPOLIS, MD USA
Birthdate: 10/08/1983
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 185 lbs.
Hometown: ANNAPOLIS, MD USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1987
Competitor since: 1987

Notable:
Travis is one of the biggest names in all of action sports. He's a racer, freestyler, fashion model and commercial pitchman. He absolutely can't stay healthy on a racetrack. He has never lost a Freestyle competition, though he rarely competes in any but XG and G-Games. An innovator, he'll likely bring something new and inverted to X '03.

Quote:
"My strengths and weaknesses are the same: I've got the willingness and stupidity to try anything. If I think it's even remotely possible, I'll do it."

*ADAM PIERCE*
NickName: THE HIGHLIGHTER
Born: BAKERSFIELD, CA USA
Birthdate: 12/03/1978
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Weight: 155 lbs.
Hometown: BAKERSFIELD, CA USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1993
Competitor since: 1993

Notable:
The son of former world-class street bike racer Ron Pierce and a card-carrying member of the Metal Mulisha, Adam is one of the most market-savvy riders in a sport known for it's showmanship. He dyes his hair bright green for contests and calls himself The Highlighter.

Quote:
"[The image] is working awesome. Kids love it. I'm stoked on kids, all over the world. If it wasn't for them, I'd be done. The Highlighter is making an impression."

RONNIE RENNER
Born: LEESBURG, FL USA
Birthdate: 06/10/1977
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hometown: WESTMINSTER, CA USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Single
Children: 2
Participant since: 1980
Competitor since: 1981

Notable:
A crowd favorite with his moves on and off the bike, Renner is one of the better all-around competitors. After a run, he often does a breakdancing routine that the crowd loves. The 2002 WFA Step Up champ is a medal threat.

Quote:
On narrowly losing the bronze in Freestyle at XG '02: "Drake [McElroy] rode awesome and I've got no problem with him beating me, but to come that close -- to tie for third -- and not get any bling-bling really sucked."

JEREMY STENBERG
NickName: TWITCH
Born: SAN DIEGO, CA USA
Birthdate: 09/27/1981
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hometown: MURRIETA, CA USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Children: 1
Participant since: 1983
Competitor since: 1991

Notable:
Respected by his peers for being one of the most naturally-skilled riders in FMX, that talent translates to Step Up, and he tied for 4th at X '02 after tying for the bronze at X '01.

Quote:
"I don't even like Step Up much anymore. It's so hard on you, and I'm learning all these other awesome tricks like the flip. But I'll show up, ride and just see what happens. And I can't wait to watch everyone else. It's gonna be so sick this year."

LUKE UREK
Born: MELBOURNE AUS
Birthdate: 10/25/1982
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 125 lbs.
Hometown: MELBOURNE AUS
Occupation: STUDENT
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1987
Competitor since: 1988

Notable:
Barring injury, Australian Luke Urek will become the first non-North American to compete in an X Games Moto X event.

Quote:
"I don't have anywhere to practice right now," he says. "When I do practice, it's at a mate's house, which isn't very often. I'm trying to get some stuff I can ride, but there's not much over here [in Australia]."

TREVOR VINES
NickName: TREVOR FROM WHEREVER; T-VINES
Born: CONNEAUT, OH USA
Birthdate: 11/22/1972
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hometown: CONNEAUT, OH
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Children: 1
Participant since: 1982
Competitor since: 1985

Notable:
The first factory-sponsored FMXer, Vines is a consistent rider who lacks the single big trick necessary to medal in Big Air. Past results indicate that an inspired Freestyle performance could lead to a top 5.

Quote:
"I really prefer Freestyle. I think Big Air is really tough to judge. There are so many big, cool tricks out there, how can you rank them? It's like food: Some guys like steak, others lobster. How do you tell which is best?"

BILLY WALLS
Born: REDLANDS, CA USA
Birthdate: 12/02/1982
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hometown: BEAUMONT, CA USA
Occupation: PRO
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1980
Competitor since: 1980

Notable:
In a one year period from April 2000 to April '01, Walls suffered a head-trauma induced coma (May 2000), a broken leg (Dec. '00), and two broken wrists (March '01), all in separate riding accidents.

Quote:
"I didn't remember anything that had happened, so [the coma] didn't really affect my riding. A month later, I did a contest."

JAKE WINDHAM
NickName: THE JAIL0R
Born: PLACERVILLE, CA USA
Birthdate: 02/03/1975
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 210 lbs.
Hometown: SACRAMENTO, CA USA
Occupation: CORRECTIONAL OFFICER
Marital Status: Single
Participant since: 1980
Competitor since: 1986

Notable:
One of the very few FMXers with full-time jobs outside of FMX, Jake is a correctional officer at a Sacramento area jail. XG '03 will be his 4th Step Up event ever. Jake took bronze in Freestyle at XG '01.

Quote:
"I feel like people don't expect anything from me and I want to prove them wrong. I want to do it for all the big fat kids out there."

CALEB WYATT
Born: MEDFORD, OR USA
Birthdate: 01/01/1976
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hometown: MEDFORD, OR USA
Occupation: PRO RIDER
Marital Status: Married
Children: 1
Participant since: 1990
Competitor since: 1990

Notable:
Caleb was the first to ever land the backflip on a 250cc bike and ride away, doing it on April 25, 2002. Injured during XG 2002, he finally got a medal for the flip at WX '03 (bronze). Despite the medal and status as first to stick the flip, fame and financial success has eluded him. Most casual fans think of either Hart or Metzger as the first flipper, and nobody's paying Wyatt $50k to flip (like Adams).

Quote:
"I used to let people tell me 'Oh you can't do this and you can't do that' and I'd believe them. But now if I think something is possible, no matter what it is, I'm gonna do it.