ActionNow! Sport blog

Snowboarder JJ Thomas
By Jonnel Janewicz-LeggetteJJ
cjzphotography.com

Thomas practically created the 2010 US Olympic Snowboard Team. What held the 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist back was possibly the truth that he did not have the Double Cork in his Halfpipe run.В  Quick forward to Friday March 4th during a practice session for the 2011 Sprint US Snowboarding Grand Prix in Mammoth and JJ can say that he has landed a new trick at 29-years-old.

Jonnel:  You landed your Cab Double Cork in Mammoth.  Was that the 1st time you landed the trick that possibly was the “Deal Breaker” that held you back from competing in Vancouver?

JJ: Yes that was my fist my official man stomp of that trick.

Jonnel:В В  I am presently watching the Metacafe Sports live webcast of the Semi-Finals at the 2011 Burton US Open from Thursday March 10th.В  I just wrote a comment and asked where JJ Thomas was?

JJ: Yeah . On the way out here I got sick on the plane and have been pretty tired and ill. I tried to do Semi’s nowadays but wasn’t feeling correct to do it.  I am going to Euro X in France [ESPN Winter X Europe March 16-18] on Sunday so I am trying to get healthy for that.

Jonnel:  Considering that you had been not able to ride in the Semi-Finals at the Open…Who do you feel will be on the podium in the Final this year?

JJ: Going off scoring yesterday I am going to say Ipod [Iouri Podladtchikov] and Kazu [Kazuhiro Kokubo] are searching very good for podiums.

Jonnel:В  What do you believe of the new Snowboard Live Scoring System?В  JJ: I am not truly experienced sufficient with the new judging system to make any claims about it. Hopefully it works though.

Jonnel:В  What suggestions do you have for young snowboarders like Gabe Ferguson who is competing in the Halfpipe at age 11 with guys like you and Louis Vito?

JJ:  I’d tell the kids to just maintain going as lengthy as you love it and don’t be in a rush. Go at your at own pace.

Jonnel:В  What filming projects are you working on this season?

JJ: My filming this year has been the extent of the YEA.NICE commercial we filmed in Mammoth. Ha.

Jonnel:В  Tell us about your new firm that launched in October 2010?

JJ:  YEA.NICE clothing organization officially launched in October and it’s been a heck of a ride already.  It is going well though and so far it’s been actually fun and educational at the identical time. For all the business info please pay a visit to the site at www.yeanice.com

Jonnel:   You had been the young gun at the Winter X Games in 1997.  Do you remember what snowboard trick was the “Deal Breaker” back then?  (The trick that a Halfpipe rider had to have to get a WXG Medal)

JJ: I think back then it was back to back 720′s by guys like Ross Powers. Jonnel:  Will you be training for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia?JJ: Yes. Hence the double flipping nonsense in Mammoth last week.

Jonnel:В  Where do you call property these days?

JJ:  That’s a complex question for me but truly residence these days is in Encinitas, CA.  Throughout the winter I ride out of Breckenridge, CO.

Jonnel:  And on a final note…Do you “Tweet?”  Can you believe “Tweet” is a widespread vocabulary word these days?

JJ:В  Just started! @JJThomas11