Full name: Gregory J. Wilson
Age: 19 years
Sponsors: Burton Snowboards, Oakley, and Okemo
When did you start riding and who did you look up too?
I started riding when I was 9 years old. I looked up to Craig
Kelly and Jeff Brushie, and also a guy from Magic Mt. named Lance.
I haven't seen him since I was 9, he gave me my first lesson,
thanks.
What do you think about the current state of snowboarding,
all the jibs and the progression that's occurring?
Right now snowboarding is moving at such a rapid rate, every
time you turn around there is a new trick or a gigantic rail
being done. Jibbing is definitely not easy, I think it's awesome
what some people are doing right now.
Have you been riding a lot of rails?
I haven't been doing rails as much as I was a couple years ago,
but I still hit them once in a while.
What has been your favorite moment in snowboarding and why?
My favorite moment in snowboarding was at the ISF World Cup in
Stoneham, Quebec. I originally wasn't going to do this contest,
but my coach Pheobe talked me into going, I am so glad she did.
This was the contest right before the U
S
Open. Most of the people you saw there were at this contest,
Fabian Rohr, Mike Michaelchuk, Pasi Voho, and Max Plottsanator
to name a few. I qualified 1st into the finals. The finals were
at night, there was a huge ball about 50 feet above the pipe
that lit the whole place up like a giant moon. The pipe was great.
There were tons of wild, drunk fans, dancing girls and the most
energy I felt from any crowd, it was awesome. I finished 2nd
to Fabian.
If you had to choose between snowboarding and skateboarding
what would you choose?
Snowboarding.
What do you think about the whole Y2K thing and what will
you be doing to celebrate the millennium?
As far as the shut down of computer systems and chaos, I really
don't think it will be that bad. You definitely won't find me
in Times Square though. As for what I'm doing, I will be in Vienna,
Austria for the Swatch Soul City Invitational big air and quarter
pipe contest on New Year's Eve. My girlfriend is coming with
me, so I'm sure I will have the time of my life.
Greg Wilson: head high Muke Kick.
Copper, Mtn, CO
Do you think there is such a thing as the world's best
snowboarder?
There are so many incredible people right now that I think no,
right now.
Do you train?
Yes, a lot actually. I train with the Okemo team; we run, lift
weights, go to a gymnastics place at least once a week, and do
all kinds of other various work outs.
What do you think about all the major corporations coming
into snowboarding, is it good or bad?
I think it can be good, if they understand the industry.
Do you think there needs to
be a more definite line between amateur and pro?
No, because there are a lot of amateurs absolutely blowing a
lot of pros away.
What do you say to all the kids out there trying to get sponsored?
Don't sweat it too hard, just ride your board as well as you
can and you will get noticed. Be confident, don't get intimidated
by team managers. Talk to them, they will remember you.
Do you see yourself going to the Olympics?
Maybe, I don't know right now.
Who is the future of snowboarding? Who inspires you?
The future is in kids like Elija Teter, Paul Foote, Marcus Holmstead,
Shaun White and other kids that are only in their early teens
and ripping harder then a lot of twenty year olds. The people
that inspire me are Terje, Peter Line, and Chad Otterstom.
Any advice or closing words?
Thanks to my family, Megan and her family, all my sponsors, and
my friends.
Who killed Bambi?
Team TGI All-Stars: Abe Teter(L) & Greg
Wilson(R). Copper Mtn, CO
