Home Town Hero's join the US Olympic Team - Stacey Cook and Greg Bretz

Greg Bretz and Stacey Cook began their stellar journey to victory at Mammoth Mountain, CA. Bretz was hitting the park while Cook was shredding the race hill as they set their sights on making the respective U.S. National Teams. Mammoth has been the scene for many competitions and races allowing Bretz and Cook to come home and light up the show in front of their hometown crowd.

Bretz made his mark in the 2008 season, landing podiums and victories all season long. He also starred in Hot Laps, Mammoth Mountain's 2009-10 snowboard movie.

"To me, Mammoth is more than a ski area - it's my backyard and my home. I grew up here and I snowboard here. I have access to everything I want. I can go out and shred with friends, take the sled out or do some turns; it is the best thing a kid can ask for. With sunny weather and powder, we have it all. As I said before, Mammoth is more than a ski area to me: it is my life it and is the best place ever." explains Greg.

At 19 years old Greg will be the youngest member of the men's 2010 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Halfpipe team. The 19-year-old finished in the top five in four out of five contests throughout the Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix season to claim his spot. The Grand Prix are the qualifiers for the U.S. Snowboard Olympic Halfpipe team, determining which riders go to Vancouver next month.

"There've been highs of insane new tricks, mainstream attention for snowboarding and the crazy contest schedule, along with the lows of injuries and the pressure.  But this will be a season to remember and I'm so stoked to be a part of the team!" says Bretz.

Bretz finished the Grand Prix season with a third, two fourths and a fifth-place.  His competition run continues to improve with clean 1260s, double-cork 1080s and lots of power in the high amplitude combinations.  Between now and Vancouver, look for the Mammoth-local to be polishing his run in the Super Duper Pipe outside Main Lodge.

"When I moved to Mammoth, it was supposed to be a temporary move, but I am still here 9 years later.  I just love this place and I cannot imagine where I would be right now if it were not for having come here," expressed Cook. "The town here embraced me as one of their own right away and I cannot tell you how much having that support helps me out on the slopes. There is no way I could do this without knowing that I have the support of my hometown!

Competing on the U.S. Ski Team for seven years, Cook has made a name for herself in the ski racing world. 2004 appeared to be Cook's breakout season, where she clinched the overall and downhill NorAm titles. She holds two U.S. Championship super G titles as well a downhill title. She has already competed in two World Championships finding success in the speed events. 

"The Mountain and the junior team program gave me all the tools I needed to succeed on the race course while not hindering my love for free skiing," explained Cook. "That is a combination I could not find anywhere else, but the community here is really what means a lot though. I truly love the mountain, but it would not be what it is without the people who are running it and the community that supports it.