JJ Thomas Interview

Snowboarder JJ Thomas
By Jonnel Janewicz-LeggetteJJ
cjzphotography.com

Thomas almost made the 2010 US Olympic Snowboard Team. What held the 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist back was possibly the fact that he did not have the Double Cork in his Halfpipe run.  Fast forward to Friday March 4th during a practice session for the 2011 Sprint US Snowboarding Grand Prix in Mammoth and JJ can say that he has landed a new trick at 29-years-old.

Jonnel:  You landed your Cab Double Cork in Mammoth.  Was that the first time you landed the trick that possibly was the “Deal Breaker” that held you back from competing in Vancouver?

JJ: Yes that was my first official man stomp of that trick.

Jonnel:   I am currently watching the Metacafe Sports live webcast of the Semi-Finals at the 2011 Burton US Open from Thursday March 10th.  I just wrote a comment and asked where JJ Thomas was?

JJ: Yeah . On the way out here I got sick on the plane and have been pretty tired and ill. I tried to do Semi’s today but wasn’t feeling right to do it.  I am going to Euro X in France [ESPN Winter X Europe March 16-18] on Sunday so I am trying to get healthy for that.

Jonnel:  Since you were not able to ride in the Semi-Finals at the Open…Who do you think will be on the podium in the Final this year?

JJ: Going off scoring yesterday I am going to say Ipod [Iouri Podladtchikov] and Kazu [Kazuhiro Kokubo] are looking good for podiums.

Jonnel:  What do you think of the new Snowboard Live Scoring System?  JJ: I am not really experienced enough with the new judging system to make any claims about it. Hopefully it works though.

Jonnel:  What advice do you have for young snowboarders like Gabe Ferguson who is competing in the Halfpipe at age 11 with guys like you and Louis Vito?

JJ:  I’d tell the kids to just keep going as long as you love it and don’t be in a rush. Go at your at own pace.

Jonnel:  What filming projects are you working on this season?

JJ: My filming this year has been the extent of the YEA.NICE commercial we filmed in Mammoth. Ha.

Jonnel:  Tell us about your new company that launched in October 2010?

JJ:  YEA.NICE clothing company officially launched in October and it’s been a heck of a ride already.  It’s going well though and so far it’s been really fun and educational at the same time. For all the company info please visit the site at www.yeanice.com

Jonnel:   You were the young gun at the Winter X Games in 1997.  Do you remember what snowboard trick was the “Deal Breaker” back then?  (The trick that a Halfpipe rider had to have to get a WXG Medal)

JJ: I think back then it was back to back 720′s by guys like Ross Powers. Jonnel:  Will you be training for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia?JJ: Yes. Hence the double flipping nonsense in Mammoth last week.

Jonnel:  Where do you call home these days?

JJ:  That’s a complicated question for me but really home nowadays is in Encinitas, CA.  During the winter I ride out of Breckenridge, CO.

Jonnel:  And on a final note…Do you “Tweet?”  Can you believe “Tweet” is a common vocabulary word these days?

JJ:  Just started! @JJThomas11