Watching The U.S. Snowboarding Snowboard Cross (SBX) Team compete has been particularly exciting, as we've gotten to know the athletes from their FIS Snowboard World Cup (SBX WC) competitions held, in part, in Telluride, Colorado.
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| The Official US Olympic SBX Team Back Row (L-R): Nate Holland, Nick Baumgartner, Alex Deibold, Jacqueline 'Jackie' Hernandez, Trevor Jacob Front Row (L-R): Faye Gulini, Lindsey Jacobellis Photograph © 2014 Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
"What an amazing experience, it changed my perspective on competition and I am honored to have represented my country in such a fun manner."
~Trevor Jacob ( @TrevorJacob93 ), Olympian, SBX, Sochi, Russia.
Here is a brief behind-the-scenes glimpse into the excitement of the U.S. Snowboarding SBX teams competing in The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, compliments of the athletes themselves, their coach, and a wax whisperer.
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| First Glimpses of The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Opening Ceremonies Photograph © 2014 Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
"Walking out for Opening Ceremony is something I have dreamed about for as long as I can remember, and damn was it worth the wait."
~Alex Deibold, Bronze Medalist, SBX, February 7, 2014, Sochi, Russia.
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| First Glimpses of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games: Opening Ceremonies Photograph Courtesy Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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| First Glimpses of The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Opening Ceremonies Photograph Courtesy Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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The Ladies of the US Olympic SBX Team Making Friends in Russia (Nizhneshilovka, Krasnodarskiy Krai)
Women (L-R): Jacqueline 'Jackie' Hernandez, Lindsey Jacobellis, Faye Gulini
Photograph Courtesy Faye Gulini ( @FayeGulini ), 2x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014
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The Men of the US Olympic SBX Team Enjoying the Views
Photograph Courtesy Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014
"The Olympics in Sochi have been amazing!"
~Peter Foley, ( @PeterFoleyUSA ), U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach / SBX Head Coach 
New Olympic race boards, freshly ground and shaped...
Photograph Courtesy Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014
Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Photograph © 2014 Curtis Bacca ( @WaxRoom ), Official Wax Tech / Wax Whisperer, #Sochi2014
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| The Official #Sochi2014 Olympic SBX Course Photograph © 2014 Alex Deibold, ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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| Faye Gulini ( @FayeGulini), First Training Run on the #Sochi2014 SBX Course Photograph © 2014 Curtis Bacca ( @WaxRoom ), Official Wax Technician / Wax Whisperer, #Sochi2014 |
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| Nick Baumgartner ( @NickBaumgartner), Training on the #Sochi2014 SBX Course Photograph © 2014 Curtis Bacca ( @WaxRoom ), Official Wax Technician / Wax Whisperer, #Sochi2014 |
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| 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games: Crowd Watching the Women's SBX Finals Photograph © 2014 Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
The riders race head-to-head against each other (typically 4 to 6 riders at a time), in a series of heats. The potentially harrowing nature of the course, and the personal competition between riders ensures a thrilling race. And it's not unheard of for riders to get tangled up and crash, which can make SBX an adrenaline-filled sport to watch.
Jacqueline 'Jackie' Hernandez ( @JackiePatty_ ) being taken off the Women's SBX Course after crashing and suffering a concussion.
Photograph Courtesy Peter Foley ( @PeterFoleyUSA ), U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach / SBX Head Coach
SBX courses are designed to be fast and exciting, while changing weather conditions can make them particularly dangerous, too. These #Sochi2014 Winter Games featured sun, rain, snow, and fog!
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| Fog Delay, Men's Qualification, The Official #Sochi2014 Olympic SBX Course Photograph © 2014 Nick Baumgartner ( @NickBaumgartner ), 2x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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| Fog Delay, Time To Trade Some Pins! Photograph © 2014 Peter Foley ( @PeterFoleyUSA ), U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach / SBX Head Coach |
Once the SBX athletes reach the status of competing in The Olympics, they are all generally of an equal level of skill and ability, which makes for an exciting sport, and the course can make up for any differences.
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| Faye Guilini with her father in Russia (Nizhneshilovka, Krasnodarskiy Krai) Photograph Courtesy Faye Gulini ( @FayeGulini ), 2x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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| Nate Holland taking advantage of the fog delay with his family in Sochi, Russia
Photograph Courtesy Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014
The speeds the SBX riders achieve makes it a blast to watch, and the possibility for injuries keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. Cheering on a favorite team makes The Olympics unique, as any rider who competes -- no matter the team -- deserves great respect. |
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| Alex Deibold Celebrating Winning the Bronze Medal with #TeamUSA Team Mates, Men's SBX! Photograph Courtesy Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
"The past 48 hours have been the most amazing whirlwind, I can't even begin to explain. I'm just fortunate to do what I love and chase my dreams."
~Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014
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| Alex Deibold Celebrating Winning the Bronze Medal, Men's SBX Photograph Courtesy Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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| Lindsey Jacobellis even took a puppy home! Photograph © 2014 Lindsey Jacobellis ( @LindsJacobellis ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 |
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| Final Glimpses of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games: Sunset Over the Black Sea
Photograph © 2014 Nate Holland ( @NateHolland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014
 Mountain Lodge Telluride, Telluride, CO ( @MtLodgeTell ) |
