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Behind the Scenes with the US Snowboarding SBX Olympic Athletes of the #Sochi2014 Winter Games

Congratulations to #TeamUSA and ALL athletes competing in The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!


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.


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.


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.


First Glimpses of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games: Opening Ceremonies 
Photograph Courtesy Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014


First Glimpses of The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Opening Ceremonies 
Photograph Courtesy Nate Holland ( @N8Holland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014 


To those unfamiliar with the relatively new sport of SBX, it debuted as an Olympic game in The Torino 2006 Winter Olympics, followed by The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics are the third Olympics for this thrilling sport, allowing the Olympians to experience a truly unique adventure.


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

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



Olympic race boards lined up for another shot at glory...
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


Burning the Midnight Oil at the Wax Cabins, Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. 
Photograph © 2014 Curtis Bacca ( @WaxRoom ), Official Wax Tech / Wax Whisperer, #Sochi2014
The Official #Sochi2014 Olympic SBX Course 
Photograph © 2014 Alex Deibold, ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014

The sport of snowboardcross is named after 'Motorcross', as an SBX course has design features similar to motorcross courses: custom-made berms, numerous cambered turns, drops, a series of jumps and roller sections, steep and flat sections. These elements are designed to test a riders' physical and mental strength, to maintain control, and race with maximum speed to the finish line.

Faye Gulini ( @FayeGulini), First Training Run on the #Sochi2014 SBX Course
Photograph © 2014 Curtis Bacca ( @WaxRoom ), Official Wax Technician / Wax Whisperer, #Sochi2014

Nick Baumgartner ( @NickBaumgartner), Training on the #Sochi2014 SBX Course
Photograph © 2014 Curtis Bacca ( @WaxRoom ), Official Wax Technician / Wax Whisperer, #Sochi2014

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! 

Fog Delay, Men's Qualification, The Official #Sochi2014 Olympic SBX Course 
Photograph © 2014 Nick Baumgartner ( @NickBaumgartner ), 2x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014

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.

Faye Guilini with her father in Russia (Nizhneshilovka, Krasnodarskiy Krai)
Photograph Courtesy Faye Gulini ( @FayeGulini ), 2x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014


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.


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

Alex Deibold Celebrating Winning the Bronze Medal, Men's SBX
Photograph Courtesy Alex Deibold ( @ADeibold ), Bronze Medalist, SBX, #Sochi2014


Lindsey Jacobellis even took a puppy home! 
Photograph © 2014 Lindsey Jacobellis ( @LindsJacobellis ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014


Final Glimpses of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games: Sunset Over the Black Sea
Photograph © 2014 Nate Holland ( @NateHolland ), 3x Olympian, SBX, #Sochi2014




 Social Media by @LittleBearProd
Social Media by @LittleBearProd
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