Who is the Greatest Snowboarder of All Time?
Aug 29 2007 / Los Angeles, CA
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We here at Lat34 wouldn't presume to make such a list (at least not now) but we found a couple of people/sites that do. One is a newly published list of the top ten influential snowboarders of all time. That "influential" is important, because right away it seems to favor some of the early snowboarders who paved the way for the Danny Davis, Torah Bright and Shaun Whites of the world. That list, written by Matt Belair, Snowboard Trainer and C.E.O of SnowboardAcademy.com is hard to argue with. Here it is (check out his post for his reasons)
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2. Peter Line
3. Terje Haakonsen
4. Shaun White
5. Jamie Lynn
6. Kevin Jones
7. Shaun Palmer
8. JP Walker
9. Jeremy Jones
10. Travis Rice
Belair is careful to note that "there is no number #1, they are all kings" but when you make a list, you have to have a top and a bottom. Craig Kelly seems to be tough to argue as number one as far as influence goes, but no doubt there would be some strong discussion about the order and content of the rest of the list.
The second site we bring up is a poll site that has been up for almost four years. It asks users to choose their favorite from a list of 51 riders -- and this time it's just your favorite. Given that it's older, many young bucks aren't on the list -- so that may make a difference. Also, people can vote for as many or as few as they'd like... So scientific it ain't -- but it does have more than 3,600 votes. Even so, the list is crowded with only one clear leader...
Favorite Snowboarders
1. Shaun White (9%)
2. Terje Haakonsen (5%)
3. Craig Kelly (3%)
4. JP Walker (3%)
5. Danny Kass (3%)
6. Travis Rice (3%)
7. Jeremy Jones (3%)
8. Phil Pare (3%)
Five tied at 2%
Given the fact that this poll is not on any website specific to the sport, it's hard to take it seriously, but you can't argue that the top seven, at least, are pretty strong riders and worthy of votes.
All things considered, it's clear that Shaun White, Craig Kelly and Terje Haakonsen would be around the top of any list of top snowboarders. Let's just say the definitive list has yet to be done...
Related Links
- Craig Kelly Profile
- Craig Kelly Photo Gallery
- Winners of the 2007 US Open Photo Gallery (featuring Shaun White)
- Terje Haakonsen at The Oakley Arctic Challenge - Photos
- Haakonsen Breaks World Record
The History of the US Open
Photo Credit: Trevor Graves © Burton
Craig Kelly in the 1989 US Open of Snowboarding.
