Kelly Clark is the first female to nail a frontside 1080 twist in competition. "Chasing down the tricks that no one else has done has been a mark of my career," she says.
Kelly Clark is the first female to nail a frontside 1080 twist in competition. "Chasing down the tricks that no one else has done has been a mark of my career," she says.
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Clark, who won the gold in the 2002 Winter Olympics, as well as two Olympic bronze medals, is gunning for her fifth shot at the games in 2018. At 32, Clark is the most decorated halfpipe snowboarder in the sport's young history.
Clark, who won the gold in the 2002 Winter Olympics, as well as two Olympic bronze medals, is gunning for her fifth shot at the games in 2018. At 32, Clark is the most decorated halfpipe snowboarder in the sport's young history.
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Fifteen-year-old Chloe Kim is the world No. 1 halfpipe snowboarder, having just won the X Games gold in Oslo. Snowboarders are increasingly completing high school coursework online to compete full-time.
Fifteen-year-old Chloe Kim is the world No. 1 halfpipe snowboarder, having just won the X Games gold in Oslo. Snowboarders are increasingly completing high school coursework online to compete full-time.
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Chloe Kim (L) celebrates a first place finish with Kelly Clark at the 2016 U.S. Snowboarding Park City Grand Prix on February 6, 2016. Clark says rookies have an advantage in the sport because there are less expectations placed on them.
Chloe Kim (L) celebrates a first place finish with Kelly Clark at the 2016 U.S. Snowboarding Park City Grand Prix on February 6, 2016. Clark says rookies have an advantage in the sport because there are less expectations placed on them.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Snowboarder Taylor Gold -- currently out with a broken kneecap -- has been competing since he was nine. Gold was one of four Americans challenging in the halfpipe at the Sochi 2014 Olympics.
Snowboarder Taylor Gold -- currently out with a broken kneecap -- has been competing since he was nine. Gold was one of four Americans challenging in the halfpipe at the Sochi 2014 Olympics.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Two-time halfpipe gold medalist Shaun White of the U.S. is the sport's most famous participant. Formerly known as the "Flying Tomato," White has taken on a business-like approach to the sport as owner of the Air + Style games.
Two-time halfpipe gold medalist Shaun White of the U.S. is the sport's most famous participant. Formerly known as the "Flying Tomato," White has taken on a business-like approach to the sport as owner of the Air + Style games.
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"Most of the time when you're going as big as you can and doing the hardest tricks you can, you're pretty scared," admits Taylor Gold -- seen mid-flip in the men's halfpipe semifinal at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
"Most of the time when you're going as big as you can and doing the hardest tricks you can, you're pretty scared," admits Taylor Gold -- seen mid-flip in the men's halfpipe semifinal at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
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Halfpipe gold medalist Iouri Podladtchikov -- AKA "The iPod" -- celebrates at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Podladtchikov nailed the first Cab double cork 1440 in competition -- a move he dubbed the "YOLO Flip."
Halfpipe gold medalist Iouri Podladtchikov -- AKA "The iPod" -- celebrates at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Podladtchikov nailed the first Cab double cork 1440 in competition -- a move he dubbed the "YOLO Flip."
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Gold medalist Kaitlyn Farrington (center) celebrates with Bronze winner Kelly Clark (L) and silver medalist, Australia's Torah Bright at the snowboard halfpipe final of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Shortly after, Farrington was diagnosed with a spinal condition which forced her out of the sport.
Gold medalist Kaitlyn Farrington (center) celebrates with Bronze winner Kelly Clark (L) and silver medalist, Australia's Torah Bright at the snowboard halfpipe final of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Shortly after, Farrington was diagnosed with a spinal condition which forced her out of the sport.
JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images
Mark McMorris of Canada (seen crashing at the Air + Style Beijing 2015 Snowboard World Cup) recently suffered a broken femur bone while attempting a frontside 1440 triple cork at the Air + Style event in Los Angeles.
Mark McMorris of Canada (seen crashing at the Air + Style Beijing 2015 Snowboard World Cup) recently suffered a broken femur bone while attempting a frontside 1440 triple cork at the Air + Style event in Los Angeles.
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Former Winter X Games silver medalist Kevin Pearce suffered brain damage after a traumatic head injury in a practice run, which was chronicled in the documentary "The Crash Reel." Clark, who was at the halfpipe in Park City, Utah during Pearce's accident, says the film is "too close to home," and has not seen it.
Former Winter X Games silver medalist Kevin Pearce suffered brain damage after a traumatic head injury in a practice run, which was chronicled in the documentary "The Crash Reel." Clark, who was at the halfpipe in Park City, Utah during Pearce's accident, says the film is "too close to home," and has not seen it.
Adam Moran