COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO (Dec. 9) – With a host of new action sports events on the docket for the 2014 Olympics just two years away, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) formally announced 2011-12 U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing teams Friday from its training facility at the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix at Copper.
The announcement includes first year teams in slopestyle snowboarding and skiing, as well as halfpipe skiing – all the result of decisions by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this year to bring the events into the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The USSA named 21 athletes to U.S. Snowboarding halfpipe and slopestyle teams, and 17 to U.S. Freeskiing.
Halfpipe athletes have had outstanding training in Copper's early-opening 22-foot pipe preparing for the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix opener this weekend at the Colorado resort.
New Hampshire native Tucker Perkins is one of the hardest working skiers in the halfpipe. With a constant drive to progress, he is destined to be one of the sport’s top competitors for years to come. (Sarah Brunson/U.S. Freeskiing)
A beach bum at heart, Tucker Perkins took his smooth surfer style to the snow at an early age, quickly earning recognition from Sports Illustrated's NeXT Snow Search at the ripe age of 14. Perkins may have a laid back demeanor, but don't be fooled, he is one of the hardest working skiers in the game. After winning a U.S. Championship halfpipe title, finishing second in the Dew Tour halfpipe and making the X Games final in his 2010 debut, Perkins was determined to up the ante, working with several coaches to improve his strength and technique.
