The following is a letter from “Jay Panther” Long time Shoreline skiier who has made the US Ski Team, were all very happy for Jay and wish him well this coming season…
Hello,

I am writing today filled with elation as I have accomplished my life long dream…earning a spot on the U.S. Ski Team!!! I competed this past week at the U.S. Ski Team Selections event in Steamboat Springs, CO and finished second overall. This result also means I get my first two World Cup starts in Lake Placid, NY January 21 and 22.

The week was a roller coaster. The first day I qualified 3rd with the fastest run of the day and followed that up with an improved finals run that earned me 6th. The second day I was having my best run of the week in qualifying and my ski pole broke in half just after landing the top air. I was able to hold it together and finish my run with one pole but I qualified 11th which is not an ideal position to win finals. I knew I had to lay it all on the line and ski an amazing run or blow out trying. I skied the run I had to and finished second on the day and in the overall! Despite everything I never lost focus on what I had to do, ski my run.

I have attached a video from my second place run and some pictures of the new suit. I have also copied the press release to the bottom of this email. I have dedicated the last seven years of my life to this moment and all the hard work has finally paid off. The last couple of days have been a complete whirlwind and it still has not all sunk in. I am doing my best to embrace this time but am aware that this is just another step (be it the best step I have ever taken). My goals are still set on winning World Cups and ultimately the Olympics. Thank you for all your love and support.

In God’s Love
Jay Panther
U.S. Ski Team Member (It feels good just typing it)

Shaun Palmer always the Joker

Shaun (Mini Shred) Palmer turned 40 years old this month. I’ve known Shaun for over 25 years now and would have to say he’s the same little stinker that I met 25 years ago at Lake view sports, except he could now beat the crap out of me….not saying he would, but I’m just saying. The nick name Mini Shred was given him way back in the reign of Terry Kidwell, Bob Klein, and Damian Sanders. I recall hooking him up one year on our Snowboard team, this is at a time when he rode for Sessions officially and for us on the sly. That year he got a cover shot wearing the Shoreline team wear in International Snowboard Magazine (ISM). He later asked for some long underwear because he was cold…..I was such a jerk back then that I said “NO, no one will know what underwear you have on, only the logo wear counts”….As I look back at that encounter it says much about the Sponsorship athlete relationship, it can be an evil one if you forget the human aspect as I did. Now I remember back then I was 26 year old a drug infested self centered ego maniac, it would be four more years until I kicked the drugs and alcohol. Life is a trip, in my case it wasn’t until I encountered the power of god did I learn what true love was. The Corporate attitude to treat athletes like a disposable commodity is nothing new. When you’re young, you feel so invincible that you think you’ll some how be the guy still ripping when your 40…. The carnage of young extreme athletes is huge! The years of productivity for a Skater or Snowboarder is at best 10 years, and for most is much less, Tony Hawk & Shaun Palmer are freaks…not the norm. So if you plan on making it in the extreme sports pay attention, get clear contracts from your sponsors, and save your money because your career may be short lived.