January 7, 2015

Kaitlyn Farrington Likes Gold

 
FROM OLYMPIC GOLD TO BRUT GOLD (ARMAND DE BRIGNAC CHAMPAGNE).
2014 OLYMPIC SNOWBOARD WOMEN’S HALF-PIPE GOLD MEDALIST, KAITLYN FARRINGTON

 
Kaitlyn Farrington surprised the snowboard world and even herself last winter, winning the gold medal in the Women’s Half-Pipe competition at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. She was the last snowboarder named to the U.S. Team at the final qualifying event, yet edged out three former gold medalists — defending champion Torah Bright (2010), Hannah Teter (2006), and Kelly Clark (2002) — to win 2014 Olympic Gold. Kaitlyn’s goals for the Olympics were just to make it to the finals, but executing one of the most technically demanding sequences of the night, highlighted by a backward 720-degree (2 turn) spin and a backward 900-degree (2½ turn) spin, Kaitlyn put together the run of a lifetime.

GNU has released the Limited Edition B-PRO GOLD KAITLYN FARRINGTON signature snowboard. Gold and sparkly like her medal, this snowboard can be yours with a click of the mouse, because GNU is giving one away to a lucky Style of Sport reader! All you have to do is tell us why you love winter. We figure if you want this snowboard you do! Deadline for entries is Jan. 15 at midnight. (CONTEST DEADLINE HAS NOW PASSED. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY, JAN. 19!)

We recently spoke to Kaitlyn about her whirlwind 2014 and goals for 2015. Much was made during the Olympics of the cruddy conditions of the half pipe and I was curious how she dealt with that obstacle. “Everybody was riding the same pipe and dealing with same problem,” she told me. “You couldn’t let it wear you down.” Qualifiers, semi-finals and finals were all the same day, and she competed in all three, giving her more time in that pipe to practice. “I had nothing to lose dropping into the finals and was just trying to make it as fun as possible. When I’m having fun that’s when I ride the best.”

kaitlyn-farrington-gnu

Kaitlyn is looking forward to a relaxing post Olympic season “not chasing the contests”, although the Dew Tour and X-Games are on tap, as well as the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. This legendary event is having its 30th anniversary this year, but usually conflicts with bigger contests during the season. It is regarded as the predecessor to boardercross and has been won by some of the biggest names in the history of snowboarding. The winner’s prize is a Duct Tape trophy and an embroidered Carhartt jacket. It’s a far cry from Olympic Gold, but “to just go snowboarding and enjoy it again” sounds kind of like the dream life to us!

Photographs top to bottom: Shay Williams, ©Valdrin Xhema/epa/Corbis

 

December 7, 2013

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

 

 

THE STYLE OF SPORT HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE CONTINUES WITH FUN IDEAS FOR ALL THE SKIERS, SNOWBOARDERS, SNOWSHOERS AND SNOW LOVERS IN YOUR LIFE!

 

Clockwise top left: KASK SKI HELMET. The Elite Man shown above is one of 4 gorgeous Kask ski helmets that feature an integrated anti-fog and anti-scratch visor goggle that hinges up for convenience with style. $499.95

THE NORTH FACE WOMENS VILLAGE NUPSTE VEST. From the official Villagewear Collection to be worn by the US Freeskiing Team this February at the Winter Olympics, is this star studded warm, lightweight, and highly compressible 700-fill goose down vest. Support Team USA and check out all the other great red, white, blue, stars and stripes in this limited edition collection. $160

BURTON SNOWBOARDS LIP-STICK RESTRICTED. “Push It Real Good” on this Salt-n-Pepa adorned snowboard designed to have you dancin’ on the slopes. Frostbite Edges grip the iciest of ice, and a scoop nose and tail keeps it free flowin’ in the soft stuff. $479.95

SWEATY BETTY ALBERS SEEMLESS LEGGINGS. You’ll be eager to strip down by the fire and reveal these work-of-art base layer leggings with their Bauhaus-inspired design. Seamlessly engineered in soft sweat-wicking fabric, they are double cable-knitted for better opacity and feature a waistband that can be folded over or worn high for added warmth. $95 Read More

 

November 4, 2013

Burton x Filson

 
FILSON X BURTON SENTRY SNOWBOARD JACKET & SQUIRE SNOWBOARD JACKET

 

Two of our favorite and most prominent outdoor brands, Burton and Filson, have just launched a small Burton x Filson capsule collection that brings their two worlds, and seemingly opposite ends of the outdoor spectrum, together. Filson, founded in 1897, is a company rich in tradition, with a long history as manufacturers of quality upscale hunting and fishing apparel. Associated with an older and more staid customer, Filson is not the first company that would come to mind to collaborate with Burton Snowboards and those crazy snowboard shreddin’ kids. Burton Snowboards has grown up, however, and its riders matured. With the company’s 40th birthday not too far off, the respect for its elders is apparent in this and other recent collaborations with long established heritage brands, such as Redwing Shoes and Manitobah Mukluks. In turn, these heritage brands understand the tradition of high quality functional sportswear Burton has been creating since 1977, and the value of partnering with a brand that has such extreme customer loyalty.

The collection features 4 pieces — 3 jackets and 1 pair of pants — for men only (sorry ladies!) and marries the signature fabrics for which Filson is famous with Burton’s experience in creating highly functional snowboard outerwear. The Sentry Jacket, shown above, uses Filson’s Tin Cloth, a weather repellent oilcloth originally created in the early 1900’s and designed for the Pacific Northwest’s exploding timber industry. The Squire Jacket utilizes a combo of Filson’s rugged Mackinaw Wool and durable wax-soaked cotton Shelter Cloth. With these fabrics, Burton has added its own signature detailing designed for the snowboarder, such as drop-tail styling, vents and powder skirts, and hidden sound and goggle pockets… marrying tech with timeless style.

While at first it seems that Burton and Filson couldn’t be more different, this collaboration actually shows how similar these two companies really are, both as sportswear and as lifestyle brands. Both have a reputation for creating sport apparel that works, designed with the kind of style that is wearable anyplace and anytime, and appeals to all sorts of customers, whether they participate in the sport for which they were designed or not.

 

January 30, 2013

Best In Snow

 

bestsnow2

LIVE FROM THE SLOPES OF SNOWMASS, COLORADO, check out a few of the coolest things spotted on the slopes and shops round town. There are still a least a couple of months of skiing and snowboarding left in the season, plenty of time to still shop the snow!

CLICK AND SHOP BELOW!

Clockwise from top left: BURTON ANT-SOCIAL SPLITBOARD $699.95. Hike it up, ride it down. You’ll never guess you’re on a splitboard as you float through the powder; MONTBELL U.L. DOWN JACKET $169. This insulating jacket seriously weighs less than most T-shirts. It’s a perfect insulting layer and wind resistant enough to be worn on its own; POC SYNAPSIS 2.0 Aurelien Ducroz Helmet $250. POC makes the most beautifully designed helmets, equally matched for their safety features. Utilizing POC’s Anti Penetration Barrier, the Synapsis helmet is ultra light and ultra safe with a turnring adjustment system for perfect fit. Can be worn with or without visor; ARC’TERYX STINGRAY PANT $399. These highly technical Gore-Tex insulated pants will keep you warm and dry on those deep powder days; HESTRA ALL LEATHER PRIMALOFT GLOVES $150. The brand of choice of the pros, this soft and supple warm leather glove with Primaloft insulation are perfect on the coldest winter days; ZEAL iON CAMERA GOGGLE $399. 1080p HD digital camera is integrated into the lens with an in-goggle viewfinder and 170-degree view that automatically adjusts exposure for changing light; Center: ANON FASHIONABLY LATE SUNGLASSES $109.95. From Burton Snowboards comes Anon, their technical line of goggles and stylish shades; MARMOT NEWTON HAT $44.95. When the helmet is off, this striped beenie protects your head from the other elements; MAMMUT JUNGFRAU $125. This lightweight insulated layer can be worn as base or second layer for cold days, and looks super cute on its own.

 

December 16, 2012

Jeff Curtes: 20 Years Of Snowboard Photography

 

 
Nau Fall/Winter 2012

26_StyleofSport_Curtes

rsz_h650_19_187.1

THIS YEAR Jeff Curtes, Burton Snowboards’ primary lensman, marks his 20th year as a professional snowboard photographer. He calls himself a snowboarder first, a photographer second, and his pictures give an insiders view into the life of the professional snowboarder both on and off the mountain.

Read More

 
 

BACK TO TOP