The XXII Olympic Winter Games will open in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 7. With the Games less than two months away, athletes from around the country are competing for a spot on one of the Olympic teams ranging from alpine skiing to snowboard cross. Locally, nearly two dozen athletes are hoping to take one of the coveted spots, some competing for the United States and a few competing for our nations. To have a single athlete represent our region would be amazing, but with the possibility of a number of athletes set to represent the Tahoe-Truckee region, that phenomenal prospect is something to celebrate.
The Weekly will be celebrating those inspiring athletes in the coming months as they strive to earn a spot for the Winter Games in a series we’ve calling “Olympic Hopefuls.” Some of the athletes have already earned a spot, while others may or may not make one of the teams, but all of them deserve recognition for their athleticism and, most especially, for striving to reach their dreams (and inspiring others to do the same).
Olympic sport: Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle
Hometown: South Lake Tahoe
Resort team: Sierra-at-Tahoe
Top-ranking slopestyle snowboarding sensation Jamie Anderson, 23, is no stranger to world-class competition. As a six-time Winter X Games medalist and a World Cup gold medalist, Anderson is accustomed to stepping onto the podium. So, are the Olympic games just another stop on her winter-long tour? Not quite.
“It is just another competition, but it definitely feels different than any other events I’ve competed in,” says the South Lake Tahoe native. “It’s an amazing, world-class event that reaches out to so many people from all over the world.”
According to Anderson, the pursuit of outdoor fun is part of her family DNA. As one of eight children, she was homeschooled and also was educated on the ABC’s of nature.
“I feel so blessed and fortunate to have grown up in the beautiful mountains of Lake Tahoe,” she says. “My mom and dad loved taking us on camping trips, hiking missions and truly exploring the Sierra Nevada. The were always teaching us about the local plants, trees, wild flowers, and different seeds and berries that we could or couldn’t eat.”
At age 9, the world shifted for Anderson when she tried out snowboarding
“I absolutely fell in love,” Anderson recalls. “It took my backyard sledding passion to a whole new level. A family friend, Nikki Warren, gave my two older sisters her daughters’ hand-me-downs. Then, of course, I wanted to follow in their footsteps and so soon enough I got their hand-me-downs.”
Anderson says this equipment swapping strategy was essential for her large family as the sport was and is expensive. She gives big props to the Nikki Warren, her parents and Sierra-at-Tahoe for supporting her snowboarding passion.
Suffice it to say, Anderson spent little time on the bunny slopes. By age 13, she and her sister, Stacie, had qualified for the prestigious Junior World Cup Championships in Italy. And then two years later, Anderson became the youngest Winter X Games medalist when she won the bronze.
She admits that competing at a young age was sometimes challenging to manage. Anderson remembers the years before she ever made a cent from snowboarding.
“Weekend after weekend, my family paid for me and my sisters (Joanie and Stacie) to compete in events just because of our pure love and passion for it.”
These days, Jamie is the only member of the family who still competes. Not surprisingly, they’ve turned their efforts to Olympic cheerleading for Jamie.
“Everyone is super excited,” she says. “I’m not 100 percent sure that everyone can make it, but I know they would love to go to Sochi and support me. Or, just as well, support me from our hometown zone.”
Cloaked in family and community support, Anderson works hard to keep her hectic competitive schedule in check. Anderson practices yoga, meditation and follows a healthy balanced diet. Above all, she never misses an opportunity to show her gratitude.
“I feel so much gratitude for the life I’ve been given and all the blessings that have come my way. I choose to be humble and not take anything for granted. And, always remember how blessed I truly am.”
The final picks for the U.S. Olympic Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle team will be made at the end of January after five qualifying events.
