Steamboat CO - 2/27/02

"Sometimes 2nd Place Feels Better than First"

I just got back from Steamboat Colorado with some great results. The first race didn't go so well, unfortunately due to finances I have not been able to train much, so my first race was more of a warm up.

I woke up feelling unbelievable ready to attack the course. I knew there was prize money at stake and boy did I need it bad. Once I pulled out of the gate my run seemed like only seconds, I rode wide at the very end of the course but managed to keep going, and made it through the finish. When I looked at the clock I realized I qualified in 3rd place, my best qualifier ever !! Unfortunately I was paired up with the fastest girl in the field, but I tried to just focus on the task at hand. I fell on the first run, but beat her on the second, not by enough though , I ended up with 5th place.

Day 3, race 3, the Slalom, my favorite event. I truly believe sometimes 2nd place feels better than first. I felt better than ever, again qualifying 3rd I went into the dual round, ready to race. There was a giant pro jump in the middle of the course, to up the anti and excitement for the crowd. Before I knew it I was eliminating riders and found myself in the finals, I was racing the top girl in the field, a US team rider, the same rider who took me out the day before. I was in the gate focusing on one thing, I needed to take this race, this was the furthest I had ever gotten in a dual event. I pulled out of the gate and had a safe run, realizing I think I could have taken it and was mad at myself for not going for it. So up again I went and in the gates I was again.When I pulled out of the gate, I was on fire, turn for turn, I started to pull ahead and knew this was the best run I had ever had. The pro jump was approaching and this is where it had to happen, I needed to hit it straight on to win. Straight on I did, I hit that jump with everything I had, I could hear the entire crowd below cheering. I got to the bottom and realized I beat her, but not by enough. I had just missed it, but the feeling that overcame me of having such a perfect run was better than winning. All in all I left Colorado with a great feeling. Till next time.

Whistler, BC Canada - Continental Cup - 12/10/01

"Snow, Snow and More Snow"

Have you ever seen snow flakes the size of golf balls... I have. Whistler got over 35 cm of snow in 2 days. I couldn't believe the amount of snow that landed, the race hill was waist deep in powder a snowboarders dream. Unfortunately the racers were not to excited, by 5 pm the race was canceled. I was rather disappointed, after traveling all the way there and spending quite a bit of money and no race. But you can't control mother nature. So I am back in Calgary and heading to Montana for some training.

Copper Mt. , CO - North American Cup - 11/12/01

"Altitude Blues"

The first race of the season is always exciting. Driving 25 hours seamed insignificant as long as I got to race. Unfortunately I did not plan on getting altitude sickness for a majority of the training camp. I was "hugging the toilet" for 3 of the 4 training days. Copper Mt. is 9,400 feet at the base and 12,000 ft when you are training. Part of being an athlete is dealing with the unexpected, though I did not get in the five days of training, I made due with one. Come race day I pulled out of the start gate and gave it everything I could, realizing physically I couldn't be as competitive as I needed to be. I did the best I could. I was more than excited to drive back down to lower altitudes after the race. I am back in Calgary and ready to train and prepare for my next big race in Whistler, BC. where I can foresee a much better result.

Till Then...

Thank you for you support!
Nicole Prefontaine

PROFILE

"I believe in working hard to attain my goals in life. This dedication is evident in my pursuit of finishing my college education and starting my own design business. Still focusing on my intense snowboard training and competition schedule, I hope to achieve athletic excellence in a sport still new to the Olympics. I also want to help pave the way for other female athletes who wish to pursue their goals and gain respect in female competition. I feel I will be an excellent role model for the youth of today."

BORN: April 13,1978

HOMETOWN: Mattapoisett, MA

NICKNAME: Shrimpy

YEARS SNOWBOARDING: 8 (4 years in competition)

EDUCATION: BA in Graphic Design and Marketing - Plymouth State College OCCUPATION: Freelance graphic design (Precision Design)

SPECIAL THANKS: Without the support from my friends and family I would not be racing today, my Dad Charlie Prefontiane is my biggest supporter. Thanks Dad! Also all of my friends and family at home that supported my fundraiser "Open House" last December. Your Support helped me continue racing. Davidi Gilo a special thank you!

SPONSORS: Carrera, Volkl Snowboards, Sun Graphic - Web Hosting- THANK YOU!

GOALS: Long-term - I think it is every athletes dream to one day represent their country at the Olympic games. I do not fall far from that dream. Being an Olympic athlete is my goal in life, one I hope to achieve. Short term - This season I hope to make the next step in my level of riding. In result gaining myself a world cup spot for next season.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS / AWARDS:

Team Mission Ridge Outstanding Rider of the Year 2001

Snowboardnetwork.com's Rider of the Week 2000

American Snowboard Tour (2001) Parallel GS 3rd overall 2nd U.S.

United States Board Frenzy Tour (2001) Parallel GS 4th overall 4th U.S.

Canadian Nationals ( 2001) Giant Slalom 6th overall 1st U.S.

US Nationals (2001) Slalom 9th overall 7th United States

US Chevy Grand Prix ( 2001) Giant Slalom 12th overall 5th U.S.

Continental Cup (2000) Giant Slalom 4th overall1st United States

USASA GIANT SLALOM NATIONAL CHAMPION (2000)

USASA Nationals (2000) Overall Racing 1st overall 1st United States

US Open (1999) Parallel GS 20th overall 3rd United States