Notable:
Gretchen Bleiler is an Aspen local, U.S. Snowboard Team member, and slayer of pipes. Gretchen was tied for points with Tricia Byrnes for the final spot going into the 2002 Olympics, but lost the spot when the U.S. Team employed a tie-breaker based on results. Bleiler finished the '01/'02 Van Triple Crown ranked first overall. So far in the '02/'03 season she has taken 2nd place at two Grand Prix events.
Quote:
"It was kind of tough last year. They [WX Games] were right after the last Olympic qualifiers and those two were the deciding factor for me, which really burned me out. I wanted to do really well in the WX Games, one because I feel it's the biggest competition of the year and, two because they're held in Aspen. But, last year my heart just wasn't in it."
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