I came to the wall of the finish area, jumped into the crowd of family and friends, and got hugs all around. My brother Jim handed me a big American Flag on a ski pole, and I held it high as I greeted coaches, well-wishers and the press in the finish area. Later on Friday night I was a part of the formal Medal Ceremony in downtown Salt Lake City, again cheered on by my proud family and friends, and thousands of cheering Olympic fans surrounding the medals plaza ceremony. What an awesome experience!

I has had the honor of representing the USA three times, in 1998, 2002, and 2010.  I was the first American athlete named to the first ever US Olympic Snowboarding Team in 1998 Nagano, Japan, after winning the first two Grand Prix US Snowboard Olympic qualifiers in Sugarloaf, Maine in December 1997, and Mt. Bachelor, Oregon in January 1998.  I finished in sixth place, as the top American Snowboard Racer at Shiga Kogen Resort on Mount Yakebitai at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.  

After coming up just short of my dream of winning an Olympic Medal in 1998, I bounced back from a life-saving liver transplant in July 2000, just eighteen months later to claim a Bronze Medal in front of the home crowd on February 14th, 2002 at Park City Mountain Resort at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.  

After missing the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, I focused on furthering my broadcasting and professional speaking opportunities in Torino.  I rededicated myself to my snowboard racing and qualifying for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics to vie for another Meal.  This time I had to do it on my own.  With the help of Virginia Beach based marketing firm BCF and Hooters, and with the help of three other American athletes, Erika Mueller from Crested Butte, CO, Zac Kay of Mt. Shasta, CA, and Josh Wylie from Stratton Mtn., VT, I formed an independent professional snowboard team, America’s Snowboard Team.  A.S.T. was born!  We hired legendary snowboard coach Rob Roy and assistant coach Ian Price with the goal of qualifying for the 2010 Winter Olympics and competing for medals.  It worked!  I qualified for the Vancouver Olympics and finished again as the top American finisher in seventh place, just missing a second Olympic Medal.  Forming America’s Snowboard Team with my teammates and friends and qualifying for my third Winter Olympics is one of the accomplishments I am most proud of in my career.  Participating in three Winter Olympic Games representing my country and winning a Bronze Medal after a miraculous liver transplant recovery have been a dream come true for me.