U.S. Open Look Book

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• April 02 2009
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An insider peek at the people at this year’s 2009 US Open
By Agatha Wasilewska

Stephanie Hauser, North American Sales Coordinator-Burton Snowboards, RED Protection, and Anon Optics

How many Opens have you been to?
5 years.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
Having all of Burton’s family brands represented in some way at this year’s Open was huge. I came down with RED and anon for the third year in a row and the energy levels and overall vibe from event staff, riders, and spectators was extremely positive.  The return of the AG street crew and more swag contests for the kids, kept spectators psyched to be there and the sponsor village busier than ever…where’s Waldo?  It was also awesome to see our reps and dealers on the hill riding and watching the events; in times like these it’s important to remember that we do what we do because of snowboarding and our collective love of the sport.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
The history behind the Open is what stands out the most to me.  In the past 27 years, the US Open (and Snowboarding as a sport, for that matter) has really come a long way and I’m stoked to be a part of this history in the making.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
To name a few things…other than the contest itself…
1.  The sunshine and some spring temps, which was a nice change of pace from the unpredictable mix bag of Vermont weather this time of year.
2.  Santigold-I’ve never seen her in concert and it was bitchin to say the least.
3.  The kid that entertained our crew with the most amazingly hilarious remix of Usher’s ‘Love in This Club’ on his ukulele…priceless.
4.  I don’t know if I would say coolest…but the fact that three kids willingly eat handfuls of Country Crock for a pair of goggles…I still can’t get those images out of my head…

Jon Callahan, Pro rider and founder of Launch Snowboards

How many Opens have you been to?
Too many to remember but definitely not all of them.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
I thought this year was a great Open.  But it was definitely down on the numbers end of things- attendance wise.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
I was really stoked on seeing Danny Kass win pipe.  Not only does he hold a title for 5 wins in half pipe but also he just came back from an injury-it was amazing to see.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
Hands down-the double back flip by Luke Mitrani in the half pipe.  I have seen it in video footage but it is totally different to see in person.  It was really cool to see him pull it off in a pressure cooker competition setting like the US Open.

Annie Fast, Editor-in-Chief Transworld SNOW

What makes this contest stand out for you?
The family feel made this year’s Open stand out for me; somehow I missed that in the past. I met Mr. And Mrs. Pospisil, the Vito’s, and the Toutant clan. It’s cool to see how different and tight knit the East Coast snowboard scene is. There was just something cool about having everyone’s parents around cheering for their “kids.”  It made the weekend much more than just another contest stop for the E.C. riders. I think Mitrani even said with all his friends and family around, the Open feels, “more like a holiday than a contest.”

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
Holy shit—the quarterpipe! That was the most epic quarterpipe session I’ve ever seen with Shayne, Lago, Mitrani, Sebastian, and even Peter Line blasting. It was fucking thrilling to watch. Way to bring it back Burton!

Dave Spruill, Sales Rep & Regional Team Manager for Celsius Snowboard Boots, Signal Snowboards, Endeavor Snowboards

How many Opens have you been to?
15 total, 6 as a rider and 9 as a spectator and Team Manager

How does this Open compare to years passed?
There are a lot less people then in the past as far as spectators and industry people are considered. The Open is becoming more and more like a closed event than in the past and I think it is turning a lot of people off to the event. Gone are the days that you could go and party with your favorite pros in the same place. Now you have to have the super secret society invite to go to the same parties that used to be open to the general public in previous years.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
I am old school and the Open was “The” contest. It was the one that every snowboarder dreamed of being a part of, and if you made it into the “Big Show” (Semi Finals and Finals) it was like winning the Power Ball for 350 million. The Open was the biggest contest that brought all the big names to the east coast and gave anyone with 60 bucks a chance to take the whole damn thing.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
I have to say the 1st annual Hayes Brothers Washed Up Cup. Some of the biggest names in snowboard history all came together for a fun race. I got the chance to compete against people that I idolized as a kid that had long since retired from competition by the time I started competing on a pro level.

Why does it make sense for your company to have a presence here?
I think that the shop kids are still the ones that have the most say in what gets sold and what doesn’t. They are the ones that are making their way to the Open for a couple of days to see the contest. When the shop kids see the reps and industry people hanging out and riding they tend to have more respect for those brands that are in touch with the scene. In the grand scheme of things we are the face of the brand for them and them seeing us at the events big or small makes them feel like we get the joke- per say.

Anthony Bianco, youngest member of the world cup snowboard team 1986-1989 and co-founder of WAT-AAH!, the first functional water for kids.

How many Opens have you been to?
My first was 1984 and I’ve only missed one since then.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
Obviously, the Open grows in popularity each year. What stood out for me this year is that riders that had disappeared from the scene started coming back around. Men and women who contributed to the US Open and the sports current popularity were there which, for me anyway, gives the Open a level of dimension that hadn’t existed in previous years.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
There’s corporate sponsors, media coverage, advertising, PR, etc. but the two things that make the US Open the granddaddy of events is its historical significance to the sport and most importantly, the fact that since its inception, it has always been about the riders who are competing. Always.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
Tricia Byrnes in the pipe and Stevie Hayes in the gates.

Mike Boyka, Transworld Media East Coast Account Executive

How many Opens have you been to?
14 Opens, Every year since 95 except for the one-year I missed during my senior year of college.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
This Open had a mixed batch of weather and a scary ¼ Pipe but Pipe Finals was a showstopper as always.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
The US Open will always stand out, as it’s a meeting of the tribes; the best come from all over. The Open is also held at my home mountain so I love seeing everybody at the top of his or her game both on the mountain and off.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
The coolest thing came from Luke Mitrani -actually he did it twice, the switch double back flip was nuts during pipe finals and so was the huge backsides he was putting down at the scary ass ¼ Pipe session.

Industry folks: – Why does it make sense to have a presence here?
This is truly is the most coveted, pure and progressive snowboarding event in the US. With national TV coverage from NBC and every website in the industry onboard, it’s great exposure for your brand at such a class act event.

Matt Beck, Sales Rep for Burton Snowboards/Anon Optics/Red Protection in Northern New England

How many Opens have you been to?
At least 18, maybe 20.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
The 2009 U.S. Open seemed more energetic and more organized than in years past. It was super exciting for me, always is.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
It feels like the heart and soul of our lifestyle. The riders and enthusiasts that love it so much and they all come together at Stratton to celebrate snowboarding for a week.  I love that vibe.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
There were a lot of BIG name pros that were unable to make the event this year. It was unfortunate because I hate when people are injured.  However,  it allowed some younger super hungry pros to rise to the surface and shine.

-Luke Mitrani who used to be one of the smallest and youngest riders in the Sunday Junior Jam was blowing minds and throwing new tricks no one had ever seen and damn near won the event.
- Seabrook NH’s Scott Lago riding so well and in all events AND winning the new Volvo!
-Justin Lamarieux from Canada throwing new tricks no one had seen from  32 years old.
-Danny Kass securing his legacy with a 5th U.S. Open HP title- just to name a few things that inspired me this year!

Why does it make sense for your company to have a presence here?
The U.S. Open is the event by which all others a judged, hands down.  Riders from all over the world come to compete for the prestige of winning or just being a part the event.  The event also attracts thousands of consumers and enthusiasts of all ages whom invest a lot of their time and money into being part of this lifestyle and this event.  It is a great time for brands to speak to their demographic.

Katherine McConnell, Director of The Chill Foundation, the nonprofit learn to ride program for under served youth started by Jake & Donna.

How many Opens have you been to?
Many, but this was my first time back in quite a few years -  last time I was at the Open, the event was at the base lodge not the sun bowl.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
I went to my first Open in 1989 so no doubt things have evolved.  What I love is that things have become way more big time while still retaining the core of the sport – riders really being inspired by other riders to take it to the next level.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
The history, the top riders & new talent, the accessibility, the awesome support of Chill and of course the fact that it is flat out fun.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
Coolest thing by far was at the Chill Pizza Party . . .  a bunch of pro riders all came to meet the Chill youth. Some of them like Kevin Pearce ended up doing the Chill foot shake/boot dance with the kids. It was also super cool that Jake & Donna, as they do every year, take a few hours from their packed schedules to ride with all of the Chill youth.

Kalena Nordgaarden, Sports Marketing Coordinator John Paul Mitchell

How does this Open compare to years passed?
Overall this year has felt a bit slower than most. But we did go through all our products, so I take that as a positive sign.  The crowd was condensed into Saturday verses over a few days.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
I like the group of diversified riders and the lottery system; it ensures that anyone with talent and drive can make it. The AM series is ground breaking and inspiring for all young riders.

Why does it make sense to have a presence here?
We come to the USO to show people that a hair company can have a place in the industry and serve a purpose to riders and spectators alike, and we have a blast doing it!

Leia Sherblom, Portland Chill Outreach Coordinator in the winter + the Mount Hood Burton Demo Center Manager in the summer = the most amazing life, ever.

How many Opens have you been to?
Eight- Half of them workin’, half of them playin’.

How does this Open compare to years passed?
The riders’ talent, the music, the parties, the weather, the prizes, the sponsors and the fans all stepped it up, like, three thousand notches.  Everyone went huge and sent it all week long.

What makes this contest stand out for you?
I am a recent Portland transplant, originally from VT.  Traveling back home and seeing the snowboard world blow up at little ‘ole Stratton is somethin’ else.  Its always exciting to share the deep in my veins, East Coast pride with industry people that I’ve met from all over the world.  There’s a lot of love in this little state.  At the Open there seem to be no rules.  You come to Vermont and do what you want.

What was the coolest thing you saw this year?
Mitrani’s switch double backie was pretty dope.  And everyone put their party pants on for the RjD2 show after the QP.  He absolutely crushed it spinning on the mainstage.  Luh-dat guy.

Why does it make sense to have a presence here?
We flew in one Chill kid from each host city to show them what the crazy world of snowboarding is all about.  To give these kids the opportunity to escape their home-lives and be a part of the industry is a pretty incredible sight to see.  It is also a chance for the Chill Program to gain public awareness and raise money for the cause.  Here in VT, the “at risk” homies get away from everything they know, and they are just like every other fan that traveled here to watch the pros throw down. Seeing their smiles and excitement to be a part of something big like the U.S. Open makes the stress of working in the industry completely melt away.  It has been an insane reality check for me working with Chill.  I realize why I do what I do and what snowboarding really means to me. That is important.

Roberta Rodger, owner of Infamous Management, Inc and Verena Bossmann, PR Director for The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour

Roberta Rodger

How many Opens have you been to?
This is my 3rd Open

How does this Open compare to years passed?
We actually had nice weather but the conditions still weren’t the best and Sunday’s weather super sucked!

What makes this contest stand out for you?
How long it’s been running for, that it’s the final stop of the Open series and how many awards there are, TTR for Men, Global Open Champ, Volvo Most valuable, Amp Highest Air, Emergency Best trick

What was  the coolest thing you saw this year?
Kjersti’s shoulder separating 3 times before the Slope finals that she won.

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