{"id":802224,"date":"2019-12-11T19:49:01","date_gmt":"2019-12-12T02:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summitdaily.com\/?p=375767"},"modified":"2019-12-11T19:49:01","modified_gmt":"2019-12-12T02:49:01","slug":"amid-loaded-u-s-team-jason-wolle-of-frisco-hopes-to-qualify-for-grand-prix-snowboard-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/ksmt\/local-news\/amid-loaded-u-s-team-jason-wolle-of-frisco-hopes-to-qualify-for-grand-prix-snowboard-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Amid loaded U.S. team, Jason Wolle of Frisco hopes to qualify for Grand Prix snowboard final"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Athletes get a few practice runs in Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Copper Mountain Resort before the Grand Prix snowboarding halfpipe qualifiers Thursday.<\/strong>
Liz Copan \/ ecopan@summitdaily.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

COPPER MOUNTAIN \u2014 Despite 2018 American Olympic stars Shaun White and Ben Ferguson not competing, the U.S. Snowboard Team has a loaded contingent of veteran and rookie halfpipe riders looking to make a statement at this week\u2019s Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain Resort.<\/p>\n

There are veterans of top competitions like Breckenridge resident and Steamboat Springs born-and-raised rider Taylor Gold, who has added a double Michalchuk 1080 to his trick list. If he lands it Thursday, he\u2019d be the first snowboarder to land it in a World Cup competition.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Chase Josey of Idaho, last year\u2019s third-place Grand Prix finisher who figures to again bring his stylish approach to the pipe.<\/p>\n

The U.S. team is loaded with talented younger snowboarders, as well, including riders like Jake Pates of Eagle, who won the 2017 Dew Tour superpipe competition in the midst of the pressure-packed 2018 Olympic qualifying cycle. Chase Blackwell of Dillon is another up-and-coming pro team rider revered for the versatility and style of his 1080s. And Toby Miller of California took the halfpipe circuit by storm last season with his ease in landing 1440s.<\/p>\n

Those are just some of the American names \u2014 nevermind international stars \u2014 that Jason Wolle of Frisco will be competing against during Thursday\u2019s qualifying round at Copper Mountain Resort. Only the top 10 will make it to Saturday\u2019s final round.<\/p>\n

After spending extended time in Switzerland and Austria this autumn training with U.S. pro and rookie team riders, the second-year snowboarder Wolle knows it will take his best to make it through to Saturday<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Taylor and Chase (Josey) have been in the game a long time,\u201d Wolle said, \u201cbut we are all hungry, and we all want it. The vibe within the team right now is all positive. With the U.S. team, you can\u2019t count anybody out. Chase Blackwell has some of the best runs I\u2019ve seen. Toby\u2019s got those 14(40)s, and he\u2019s so consistent. Ryan Wachendorfer (of Vail), I saw him put down one of the best 1260s that I\u2019ve ever seen him do today in practice. \u2026 You can\u2019t count anybody out from the U.S. team. They are all shredders.\u201d<\/p>\n

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