2019 USASA Nationals Recap

With over 1300 snowboarders, six events and over a week long USASA Nationals is the biggest snowboarding event in the world and we were stoked to be a part of it.

The event started with a team meeting featuring Senna Leith who spoke about the privileges of pressure and making it to USASA Nationals. Hats and hoodies were handed out to the Donek team and we took a great team picture. All the athletes were excited to meet their teammates and get decked out in Donek apparel.

Again, Donek sponsored the boardercross course and the USASA did a great job decking out the top of the course, it looked really good.  We had three tents in the vendor’s village including an alpine or hardboots demo. The alpine demo was a huge success. Many riders were able to snowboard in hardboots for the first time, challenging themselves and friends in trying a new activity.

Our Donek athletes made us all proud whether it be standing on the podium or expressing their amazing sportsmanship their love of snowboarding showed. Please see the list of podium winners below.

There were even a few visits by the Donekasaurus who came onto the awards scene throwing out candy to the crowd. Thanks to all the volunteers who wore the Dino suit and to Bryan who donated its use.

The build team did an impressive job handling the tent and keeping it organized. A huge thanks to Celia, Tru, Grant, and Daniel for keeping things well oiled and running. A very special mention to Aries, Ashton and all of Donek’s alpine riders who were the main force behind the alpine tent. Setting up those boards scared everyone else and these guys killed it. Also, special mention to Justin Varner and Scott Knight who were called in as back up for the last couple of demo days so the build team could have a break.

We were grateful for Ryan Knapton to come every day to the mountain to ride with fans and other Donek riders. Ryan, we love having to as a part of the team and you’re such a talented and dedicated rider. Speaking of talent, Giri Watts was also around to go out with groups. He even brought out his little shredders Browder and Senica, who both fell in love with the Junior model. Thanks, guys, for helping out!

Senna Leith also needs a huge shoutout for coming to ride with aspiring boardercross riders and for giving an inspiring start of the week speech to the team members preparing to compete. Your energy was greatly appreciated.

This Nationals was especially a hit as we got record amount of people out on Doneks and we fulfilled another goal of having the alpine demo expose many riders to the discipline by getting lots of first-time riders out on set ups.

Thank you USASA for having us at your event. Thank you, parents and riders, for your dedication to Donek and to snowboarding so we can see you at Nationals. Thank you Donek staff for loving what you do and being top of the game at it. Thank you to all the snowboarders who came to ride a Donek.

We are already looking forward to next year!

Congrats to the 2018/19 Donek Snowboard Team*

Carlie Capela 3^rd for Slalom and Giant Slalom for Woman 18-22

Everett McEwan 3^rd Slalom, 4^th Giant Slalom Open Men

Levi Decareau 1^st for Slalom, Giant Slalom and Boardercross, 4^th Slopestyle 8-9 Boys

Lexi Bullis 2^nd in Slalom 5^th in Giant Slalom for Open Women

Nick Trouskie 2^nd Overall, 6^th Boardercross, 3^rd Giant Slalom, 7^th Halfpipe, 3^rd Slalom, 12^th Slopestyle (8-9 Boys)

Hunter Bernard 1^st Giant Slalom, 1^st Boardercross, 2^nd Slalom, Snowboard Men’s 18-22  

Sumner Orr 2^nd Boardercross Boys 12-13

Macauley Kilmer 9^th Giant Slalom, 12^th Slalom, 34^th Boardercross Snowboard Jams Men

Drew Ellison 12^th Slalom and 9^th in Giant Slalom in Open Men’s

Abby Benser 6^th Giant Slalom and 10^th the Boardercross for Open Woman

Bennett Schnider 6^thSlalom, 15^th Giant Slalom in Menehune Boys

AJ Juneau 1^st Slalom, 1^st Boardercross, 36^th Giant Slalom Breaker Girls

Riley Wolkowinsky 1^st Slalom, 3^rd Giant Slalom, 19^th Boardercross Menehune Girls

Wesley Wolkowinsky 2^nd Giant Slalom, 16^th Boardercross, 25^th in Slalom Breaker Girls  

Ashton Grogg 6^th Slalom and 10^th Giant Slalom Junior Men’s  

Nathan Bautista 52^nd Slalom, 54 Giant Slalom (12-13 Boys)

David White GOLD in Boardercross, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Halfpipe and Slopestyle Adaptive Class and Best Overall  

Lily Aoki 3^rd Overall, 3^rd Boardercross, 6^th Giant Slalom, 5^th Halfpipe, 9^th Slalom, 4^th Slopestyle 7& under

*Some results are missing due to lack of response from rider