U.S. ALPINE
Jeff Greenwood
Age: 26 Home: Granby, Conn.
Skinny: A former world champion, Greenwood was on a mission to make 2002 Olympic team after failing four years ago. He has been the most consistent U.S. alpine rider this season. Gave up skiing at age 12 after one day on a snowboard. Usually travels with a video camera
Chris Klug
Age: 29 Home: Aspen, Colo.
Skinny: Rare liver disease forced him to undergo a transplant in July 2000; he was back training in three months. Plans to compete in cycling at the U.S. Transplant Games. Was in a position to medal at the 1998 Olympics but wound up sixth after faltering on second run. Got off to a slow start this season. Learned to snowboard on moon boots wrapped in duct tape.
Rosey Fletcher
Age: 26 Home: Girdwood, Alaska
Skinny: Finished second at 1999 and 2001 World Championships. Crashed on second run in 1998 Olympics; finished 25th. Has a diamond implant on front tooth, raven tattoo on upper right arm and is known to wear brightly colored wig to go dancing in Europe. Goes fishing to relax in the summer. Learning to duck hunt.
Lisa Kosglow
Age: 28 Home: Boulder, Colo.
Skinny: Learned to snowboard wearing tennis shoes. Enjoying an injury-free season for the first time in years. Rides mountain bikes and motorcycles in the summer. Keynote speaker at Gathering of Goddesses, a symposium for women into alternative sports, music and fashion. Like Fletcher, dons a wig to go dancing in Europe.
U.S. FREESTYLE
Ross Powers
Age: 22 Home: South Londonderry, Vt.
Skinny: A 1998 Olympic bronze medalist. Goes higher than most in the halfpipe. Learned a McTwist 900 since last Games. Working on a 1080-degree spin for Salt Lake City. Learned to snowboard in third-grade on a rainy Christmas Day. Plays in a recreational soccer league and recently took up golf.
Danny Kass
Age: 19 Home: Hamburg, N.J.
Skinny: Won the U.S. Open, X-Games and U.S. Grand Prix championship in 2001. One of few riders who does an inverted 1080-degree spin. One of the wackiest personalities in snowboarding. Carries around a stencil of a grenade and can of spray paint to tattoo his Grenade Glove company logo on unattended snowboards, backpacks.
Tricia Byrnes
Age: 27 Home: Stratton Mountain, Vt.
Skinny: Earned degrees in English and psychology at St. Michael's (Vermont) College and is editor of Eastern Edge snowboard magazine. One of the most consistent and smoothest riders on tour. Competing in her first Olympics. Did a TV commercial for USOC and hosted X Today on ESPN.
Kelly Clark
Age: 18 Home: Mount Snow, Vt.
Skinny: Won 2001 U.S. Grand Prix title. Knee injury set her back early in the season but now is the hottest American halfpipe rider. Gets greater amplitude on her runs than any other woman on tour. Listens to Madonna or Blink 182 while competing. Graduated from high school last spring. Played No. 1 doubles on high school tennis team.
INTERNATIONAL ALPINE
Jasey-Jay Anderson
Age: 26 Country: Canada
Skinny: Won seven World Cup races last season. Specialty is rough-and-tumble snowboardcross. Reigning giant slalom world champion. Parallel giant slalom isn't his best event but has made it the focus of his training. Named after a character in Western novel. Has a fine arts degree and enjoys painting.
Mathieu Bozzetto
Age: 28 Country: France
Skinny: "Mr. Bombastic" has been one of the best racers on the World Cup circuit the past two years. He's gunning hard for an Olympic medal after finishing fifth four years ago. Likes the feeling of free riding more than racing. Likes to have a good time when the day is done.
Dejan Kosir
Age: 28 Country: Slovenia
Skinny: Has really come on the past two seasons. Current parallel giant slalom World Cup leader. Taught himself to ride on a homemade wooden snowboard 16 years ago in the mountains of Kranjska Gora. Will be competing in his first Olympics.
Karine Ruby
Age: 23 Country: France
Skinny: Reigning Olympic giant slalom champion. Finds herself on the podium more often than not whether it be snowboardcross or slalom races. Most decorated World Cup racer with more than 60 wins. Considers parallel giant slalom her weakest event. Usually wears a stuffed animal on her braided pony tail during competition.
INTERNATIONAL FREESTYLE
Natasza Zurek
Age: 23 Country: Canada
Skinny: Born in Poland. U.S. Open champ in both 2000 and 2001. Won World Cup halfpipe contest at Park City last year. One of the few women who can do back-to-back inverted aerials. Other interests include surfing and photography. Always travels with a pillow depicting elephants.
Sabine Wehr-Hasler
Age: 34 Country: Germany
Skinny: One of the older world-class riders in the sport. Also, one of few married competitors. Likes to express herself through tricks in the halfpipe. Doesn't attempt as many new tricks as she used to in her 20s. Finished 15th in the 1998 Olympics; husband Patrik was 32nd.
Magnus Sterner
Age: 22 Country: Sweden
Skinny: Men's 2001 World Cup halfpipe champ. Started out playing hockey as a kid until a friend introduced him to snowboarding at age 11. Good technical snowboarder but can also go for amplitude. Also competes in novice motocross races with riders of like skill.
Daniel Franck
Age: 26 Country: Norway
Skinny: One of snowboarding's most notable characters. Nicknamed "Slippery Hot Dog." Riding well this season after suffering a back injury two years ago. Past International Snowboard Federation champion. Many fellow riders consider him a favorite to win the Olympics. Silver medalist at the 1998 Games.