From the newly minted Factory Team to the most anticipated and watched ski events of the year, Spyder athletes have been stepping up when it matters most. Stepping back into the competition circuit, setting new personal records, reaching new goals and claiming multiple podiums over the last two months.
RETURN TO GLORY
AJ Ginnis climbs on to the podium for the first time since suffering a traumatic injury. Shortly after grabbing second he went on the secure the first ever medal in ANY winter sport for the country of Greece with another silver medal at the World Championships in Courchevel. With back to back podium finishes AJ looks to be back to top form and a threat to win at every event.
Photos courtesy of THE STRUGGLE IS REAL
After a difficult first half to the season with less than favorable finishes, River and Team USA put their efforts together and took home the gold in Mixed Team Parallel.
Catch River at the Palisades Tahoe World Cup this coming weekend as he looks to claim a top spot as the race season winds down.
Photos courtesy of @agencezoom
HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR
The strongest X Games showing to date for the Spyder Team. Two of our newest team riders managed to claim multiple podiums over the course of the weekend. Birk Irving claimed 2nd on the final night in the Super Pipe event while Mac Forehand took home his own 2nd in Slopestyle and a 1st in the Big Air event Saturday night with a previously unseen 2160.
Taking no time off to enjoy his outstanding performance at X Games, Birk traveled down to Mammoth Mountain, CA for the final Grand Prix event of the season. Despite difficult conditions with gusting winds that caused some events to be cut short, Birk not only managed to take home first place in Super Pipe but claim both the National Championship and Crystal Globe by accumulating the most points over the course of the season.
We were thrilled to see Big Air and Slopestyle star Giulia Tanno make her return to the competition circuit in Mammoth with her first U.S. Slopestyle appearance since last seasons injury. Watch and hear more from Giulia about her recovery story in the latest episode of The Art Of Confidence.
FUTURE STARS
When the idea to create a grassroots team to develop the next generation of Spyder athletes was floated, we never anticipated finding a grouping of athletes that would come out firing as hard as they have. From new personal best finishes on the race course to Grand Prix finals and massive cliff drops, the Factory Team is showing that they are more than ready to take the next step and usher in a new generation of Spyder athletes.
Stella Buchheister took her strong early season finishes, including a 1st in the U18 category at the Steamboat Holiday Classic GS to earn her first FIS points.
Matt Labaugh battled it out with a heavy field in Mammoth to make his first ever Grand Prix finals in Super Pipe
Dory Michaud on her way to making her first Super Finals at a National Event.
Anders Soyland found time between his massive cliff drops into deep Montana pow to claim 2nd at the IFSA in Whitefish. Photos courtesy of @justindkaufman and @babytraven
THE BEST EVENT
Under the lights with a strong crowd supporting her is where Jaelin Kauf shines the brightest. Fans brought out their J's and cheered loudly as their girl took home 2nd place.
Jaelin said it best, "Competing back under the lights for the Deer Valley World Cup is a tough highlight to top. There was a huge crowd both comp nights including lots of my own friends and family and all the J signs! Really stoked to put down some fast and aggressive runs and take 2nd both days there! "
