As the world turns its attention to the Winter Olympics, feeds will flood with glossy montages of gold medals and perfectly groomed halfpipes. But for those who know where to look, the real story isn’t happening on the podium. It’s unfolding on the wind-whipped trails of Sugarloaf. For champions, snowboarding is less about being noticed and more about being forged. It’s built through environments that demand obsession, focus, and relentless time on snow. And when the world watches the best drop in this month, the conversation inevitably circles back to Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA). CVA has become synonymous with a certain kind of mastery. Riders who emerge from its ranks carry an edge not measured in social media likes or sponsor contracts, but in precision, intelligence, and an instinctive understanding of their equipment. This is where talent meets infrastructure, and ambition meets opportunity. Alumni Spotlight: The Maine-Forged EdgeWhile Olympic broadcasts highlight flash and spectacle, insiders know where true technical riders are bred: The Loaf. CVA alumni don’t simply appear on podiums. They’re built from years navigating some of the most variable, unforgiving terrain on the East Coast. From legendary pioneers to era-defining icons like Seth Wescott, the CVA lineage is defined by precision, resilience, and a relentless attention to detail. “CVA isn’t just about learning how to win; it’s about learning how to ride. When you spend your formative years negotiating Maine’s fickle snow, you develop a level of edge control and spatial awareness that becomes a permanent advantage,” says one alumnus. It’s a distinctive philosophy. Riders learn to read conditions, anticipate changes, and respond in real time. They don’t chase trends—they chase excellence. Shaping the Sport: The Jeremy Jones Proof Point
CVA’s influence on snowboarding isn’t limited to start gates and finish lines. It extends into the very way the sport understands terrain, consequence, and responsibility. Jeremy Jones ’93 is one of the most consequential snowboarders in the sport’s evolution. An 11-time Big Mountain Rider of the Year, Jones helped define what technical mastery looks like in consequential terrain. His riding elevated big-mountain lines from spectacle to discipline, emphasizing preparation, line choice, and respect for the mountain. Jones is also the founder of Protect Our Winters (POW), one of the most influential climate advocacy organizations in action sports. Through POW, he’s connected the technical understanding of snow and terrain with stewardship, ensuring those who follow have winters worth riding. His path underscores a broader CVA truth: mastery doesn’t end at the podium. It extends into leadership, longevity, and responsibility. The same technical foundation that produces Olympic champions also produces riders capable of shaping the culture itself. Beyond the Podium: The CVA Difference
CVA is more than a school. It’s a high-fidelity training ground for athletes serious about their craft. While the world waits for the Olympic cycle to care about snowboarding, the crew in Maine is grinding, season over season. At its core, this is about community. A binding culture that understands the importance of roots and lineage. CVA stands as the Independent Guard of competitive snowboarding, guided by three core pillars:
The Chess Match at Speed: The SBX Factor
Halfpipe and slopestyle earn the slow-motion replays, but for those who value pure technical truth, Boardercross (SBX) is the ultimate test. It demands explosive power, carving finesse, and tactical intelligence all at once. Every race is a chess match at 50 mph. CVA riders spend their seasons learning to maintain control on firm, variable terrain, threading lines that would unseat lesser competitors. SBX is objective. The clock and the finish line do not care about popularity, style points, or social reach. Riders who have mastered the line and found the gap move forward. It’s a meritocracy built on performance, not perception. The Hole Shot: By the Numbers
Olympic dreams are often sold as lottery tickets … a world of subjective judging and sponsor influence. In freestyle, the field is crowded, trends shift, and “flavor of the week” tricks dominate. SBX offers a different path. The high barrier to entry and the emphasis on technical skill make the field smaller, more focused, and more meritocratic. Training at an academy with a dedicated track and elite coaching doesn’t guarantee fame—it guarantees preparation. CVA athletes take the hole shot knowing they own their path to the world stage. CVA’s Snowboarding LineageIf the hole shot represents control over your own destiny, CVA’s Olympic history shows what that control looks like over time. CVA’s impact on Olympic snowboarding didn’t happen overnight. It was built turn by turn, season by season, on firm snow and harder lessons. Long before snowboard cross became a headline event, CVA riders were already shaping what competitive snowboarding would look like on the world stage. The academy’s Olympic history reflects both the evolution of the sport and CVA’s ability to stay relevant over decades:
From the sport’s early Olympic days to the modern era of snowboard cross, CVA’s riders share a common thread. They aren’t relying on subjectivity or timing. They’re prepared to perform when the gate drops. And when the next heat loads, that lineage isn’t history. It’s live. Boardercross at the Winter Olympics: West / East Coast Viewing ScheduleFor fans on the West Coast, catching the SBX action live requires some early mornings—but it’s worth it. Here’s the lineup:
Pro tip: Set DVRs or streaming reminders. Boardercross moves fast, but the lessons in line strategy and control are worth the early wake-up call. U.S. SBX Athletes to Watch at Milano-CortinaWith Olympic rosters set, snowboard cross at Milano-Cortina will showcase the sport’s full spectrum: legacy racers, proven contenders, and the next generation of precision athletes. Each of the riders below arrives at the start gate with a background built for speed, consequence, and control.
Join the RanksEnrollment at Carrabassett Valley Academy is more than a choice; it’s an invitation into a lineage. It’s for riders who understand the Chairlift Code, respect the craft of their kit, and value days on snow above everything else. From judged formats to head-to-head competition, snowboard pathways diverge quickly. CVA has long aligned with the path where preparation and execution decide the outcome. You’re currently a free subscriber to that snowboarding blog. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Rabu, 04 Februari 2026
The Gold Standard
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