Evan Strong

Evan Rees Strong
— Alpine skier —

2014 Paralympic Gold Medalist
Disciplines Para-Snowboard Cross
Born November 13, 1986 (1986-11-13) (age 29)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
World Cup debut 2008
Website www.strongevan.com
Paralympics
Teams USA 2014 Gold Medal
World Championships
Medals 2012 (2012 gold)
World Cup
Seasons 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Wins 11
Podiums 17
Overall titles 2011, 2012, 2013 1st, 2014 2nd
Discipline titles 2012 world champion
Infobox last updated on: March 16, 2014

Evan Strong (born November 13, 1986) is an American Para-snowboard cross racer who began his career in 2008. He is the gold medalist in para snowboard cross at the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia and lead the USA team to a sweep of the podium.[1] He was the 2012 World Champion and has won ten WFS[2] and IPC World Cup races.

Career

Strong won the men's para-snowboard World Championship title in 2012.[3] Strong is the winter X-Games 15 gold medalist[4][5] in adaptive boarder cross and ten time world cup gold medalist in para-snowboard cross.[6][7] Strong is the gold medal winner in para snowboard cross at the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia and lead the USA team to a sweep of the podium.[1]

Personal life

Evan Strong was born in San Francisco, California, to Dr. Roger Edward Strong, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and Lisa Anne Rees Strong, of Pasadena, California. Strong is the second of the three children in his family, with an older sister, Stephanie (b. June 3, 1983) and younger sister, Arianna (b. Sept. 30, 1991).[8] He moved to Maine in 1988 where he had his first introduction to snow. He moved to Maui, Hawaii in 1995, where he lived until 2006. While in Hawaii he pursued his interest in skateboarding with the desire to become a professional skateboarder. He married Mariah Fulcher (b. Dec. 7, 1991) also of Maui, Hawaii on Oct. 2, 2010 in Keanae, Maui.

Accident & recovery

On November 3, 2004, shortly before his eighteenth birthday, while riding a motorcycle Strong was hit by a speeding, oncoming car which resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee.[9][10] Strong was first fitted for a prosthetic leg by Mike Norell of Norell Prosthetics[11] in Mountain View, California.[12] Strong was helped in his recovery by organizations including Challenged Athletes Foundation and Adaptive Action Sports[13] to relearn to skateboard, bicycle and snowboard.[14] In January 2007 Strong attempted to snowboard for the first time at Sun Valley, Idaho. In October 2007 Strong moved to Truckee, California to work at Northstar-at-Tahoe resort and became very proficient at snowboarding with a prosthetic.[15]

World cup adaptive and para snowboard competition

Strong began competing in adaptive snowboard competitions in April 2008 at the WSF adaptive snowboard world championships at Copper Mountain, Colorado.[16] On February 3 and 4, 2011 Evan joined para-snowboarders from seven countries to compete in two world cup races in Orcieres, France. Strong won first place on both days.[17][18] On 18 August 2011 Strong won first place at the para-snowboard world cup in Wanaka, New Zealand.[19] On April 8 and 9, 2011 Strong won two world cup races at Lake Louise Ski Resort, British Columbia.[20] On February 3 and 4, 2012 Strong competed in the 2102 para-snowboard world championships at Orcieres, France and won first place.[3] On April 2 and 3, 2012 Strong won two world cup races in Nakiska, British Columbia[21] finishing the season in first place for world cup races.[22]

Paralympic Career

Strongs first introduction to the paralympics came in 2010 when he was invited to perform a skateboard exhibition at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. His hope at the time was that his sport could become a paralympic sport as well. On 2 May 2012 the International Paralympic Committee announced that para-snowboard would debut at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia opening up the opportunity for Strong to compete at the paralympic level.[23][24] During the 2012-13 season Strong won IPC Noram qualifier races at Sierra-at-Tahoe, California on 27 January 2013,[25][26] second at Copper Mountain, Colorado on 3 February 2013.[27] On 6 March 2013 Strong competed in the Paralympic test event in Sochi, Russia with racers from eleven nations and won first place.[28][29][30] In World Cup Competition Evan took third in Maribor, Slovenia 8 March 2013,[31] and a first and second at Kelowna, British Columbia on 28 & 29 March 2013.[32] Strong finished the season tied for first place along with Carl Murphy[33] of Wanaka, New Zealand.[34] On 4 April 2013 Strong won the para-snowboard cross USASA para-snowboard nationals at Copper Mountain, Colorado.[35] It was announced on 7 May 2013 that Strong was nominated to the USA paralympic snowboard team to compete at the 2014 Winter paralympic games in Sochi, Russia.[36] Strong kicked off the 2013-14 world cup season with a silver and gold at Copper Mountain, CO on January 18 & 19, 2014.[37][38] Strong finished the 2013-14 World Cup season with two gold, there silver and one bronze place, finishing the world cup season in second place overall behind teammate Mike Shea.[39][40] On March 14, 2014 Strong won the gold medal in para snowboard cross at the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia and lead the USA team of Mike Shea and Keith Gabel to a sweep of the podium.[1]

Athletic interests

In addition to snowboarding Strong competes in downhill mountain bike racing.[41] He won the sport division of the 6th annual Live Wire classic at Northstar-at-Tahoe, CA September 2, 2012. Strong also competed in skateboarding at the 2007 Extremity Games, at the ESPN Summer X-Games,[42] and at the Life Rolls On "They Will Skate Again" in Venice Beach, CA taking second place in 2011 and 2012. One of Strong's favorite training techniques is lifting kettlebells. His coach is Eric Kenyon of Form Is Function.[43][44] Strong also enjoys rock climbing, archery and slack lining.

Food & lifestyle

Outside of sport, Strong owns a restaurant and works as a raw food chef in an open teaching kitchen.[9][45] In 2009, Strong along with his wife Mariah and sisters Stephanie and Arianna opened the restaurant THE FIX for foodies in Nevada City, California which was featured in the Tahoe Quarterly, July 18, 2013.[46] The restaurant has hosted teachers which have helped Strong in his recovery and training including David Wolfe and Daniel Vitalis. Strong was featured in the film "The Raw Natural" which was released April 21, 2012 by Rachel Prince.[47] The film highlights the use of nutrition by professional athletes for performance and recovery.

Non-profit & charitable work

Evan works with non profit organizations to raise money to help other challenged athletes by participating in events such as the San Diego Triathlon Challenge and Million Dollar Challenge put on by Challenged Athletes Foundation.[48] He is also an advocate for Adaptive Action Sports of Frisco, Colorado[49][50] where he teaches at learn to skateboard[51] and learn to snowboard[52] clinics. Strong an AASI Adaptive snowboard instructor[53] has taught snowboarding to injured veterans with Disabled Sports USA at The Hartford Ski Spectacular at Breckenridge, Colorado in 2010.[54][55]

Recognition & awards

In January 2013 Strong was nominated by the International Paralympic Committee for paralympic athlete of the month.[56] He was narrowly defeated in the online voting by Kozo Kubo of Japan.[57] Strong has been invited to USOC & NBC promotional shoots in Hollywood, CA[58] and New York, NY for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic games. On July 21, 2013 Strong was recognized at the Institute of Noetic Sciences 15th international conference and received the Temple Award for creative altruism.[59]

Sponsors

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Snowboarder Evan Strong leads U.S. sweep in Sochi". USA Today. March 16, 2014.
  2. ↑ "LATEST NEWS". WorldSnowboardFederation.org. August 5, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Results of the WSF Para-Snowboard World Championship, August 2,2013
  4. ↑ Evan Strong's Winter X Games 15 Gold Medal Boardercross run!, August 2, 2013
  5. ↑ ‘’A Strong Man: X-Games Winner Overcomes Devastating Injury, August 2, 2013
  6. ↑ Strong/ Athletes, August 2, 2013
  7. ↑ Still Standing Strong..., August 9, 2013
  8. ↑ ‘’Evan Strong: Living Off The Land, August 2, 2013
  9. 1 2 Marcia McFee, Karen Foster (2009). Spiritual Adventures in the Snow: Skiing & Snowboarding as Renewal for Your Soul. SkyLight Paths Publishing. ISBN 1594732701. p. 136.
  10. ↑ San Diego Union-Tribune,The flip side: Keeping his balance, August 2, 2103
  11. ↑ News Headlines, August 9, 2013
  12. ↑ ‘’The O&P EDGE, August 2,2013
  13. ↑ Adaptive Action Sports, August 9, 2013
  14. ↑ ‘’Fed by the Strength to Excel, August 2, 2013
  15. ↑ ‘’Amputee makes quick climb to top of snowboarding ranks, August 2, 2013
  16. ↑ Adaptive Snowboard World Championship 2008, August 2, 2013
  17. ↑ WSF Para-Snowboard World Cups,August 2, 2013
  18. ↑ 2011 FRENCH ADAPTIVE WORLD CUP, August 6, 2013
  19. ↑ WSF Para-Snowboard World Cup at Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand, August 2, 2013
  20. ↑ WSF Para-Snowboard World Cups, August 2, 2013
  21. ↑ Grand Finale WSF Para-Snowboard World Cups in Nakiska, Canada, August 2, 2013
  22. ↑ ‘’First Stop Maui. Second Stop? Sochi , August 2, 2013
  23. ↑ Para-Snowboard Included in Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, August 2, 2013
  24. ↑ HISTORIC DAY FOR ADAPTIVE SNOWBOARDING!, August 6,2013
  25. ↑ Strong dominates snowboard cross event, August 2, 2013
  26. ↑ ‘’Potential 2014 Sochi Paralympians in Lake Tahoe for qualifying snowboarding competition, August 2, 2013
  27. ↑ Shea beats Strong in snowboard cross event,August 2, 2013
  28. ↑ and Strong win Snowboard Cross Test Event, August 2, 2013
  29. ↑ ‘’Sochi 2014: Snowboarders get ready for Paralympic stage, August 2, 2013
  30. ↑ ‘’Natalia Dannenberg: Who to follow, who to like on road to Sochi, August 2, 2013
  31. ↑ ‘’USA dominate Maribor snowboard cross World Cup, August 2, 2013
  32. ↑ Moore and Mentel do the World Cup double, August 2, 2013
  33. ↑ Carl Murphy, August 10, 2013
  34. ↑ ‘’Snowboard cross competition is fiercer than ever, August 2, 2013
  35. ↑ Strong, Duce, Chandler top US Snowboard Cross nationals, August 2, 2013
  36. ↑ ‘’U.S. Paralympics Snowboard National Team nominees named, August 2, 2013
  37. ↑ "Bibian Mentel-Spee, Mike Shea win Snowboard World Cup, January 19,2014
  38. ↑ "Success for USA in alpine and snowboard World Cups, January 20, 2014
  39. ↑ "Evan Strong wins gold on Day 1 of world cup finals,Feb 12, 2014
  40. ↑ "Suur-Hamari wins final race at IPCAS Snowboard World Cup ,Feb 12, 2014
  41. ↑ ‘’Strong living dream after life-changing accident, August 2, 2013
  42. ↑ ‘’Former Cabrillo student to compete in X Games, August 2, 2013
  43. ↑ Eric Kenyon of Form Is Function
  44. ↑ ‘’Nevada City snowboarder takes new approach to training, August 2, 2013
  45. ↑ ‘’Local raw food restaurateur headed for Olympic gold, August 2, 2013
  46. ↑ ‘’Sierra in the Raw, August 2, 2013
  47. ↑ EXTREME ATHLETES use EXTREME NUTRITION to GET BACK IN THE GAME!, August 2, 2013
  48. ↑ Evan Strong, August 2, 2013
  49. ↑ Evan Strong, August 2, 2013
  50. ↑ AAS' Elite Snowboard Training Program,
  51. ↑ Shoe City Invitational at ESPN X Games 17 presented by AAS, August 6, 2103
  52. ↑ AAS "Veterans in Action" Learn to Ride and Race Camp, August 6, 2013
  53. ↑ American Association of Snowboard Instructors, August 8, 2013
  54. ↑ Amy Purdy and AAS on CNN!!, August 6, 2013
  55. ↑ The Hartford Ski Spectacular returns to Breckenridge, August 5,2013
  56. ↑ ‘’IPC announces January’s Athlete of the Month shortlist, August 2, 2013
  57. ↑ Japan's Kozo Kubo received 45 per cent of the public's vote., August 2, 2013
  58. ↑ Olympics USA, August 12, 2013
  59. ↑ Temple Awards for Creative Altruism, August 2, 2013
  60. ↑ "On Board: World Champion Snowboarders Join The Hartford’s Team Of U.S. Paralympic Ambassadors, November 20, 2013
  61. ↑ Evan Strong: Snowboarding, October 31, 2013
  62. ↑ Fueling Team USA on the Road to Sochi, October 31, 2013
  63. ↑ Team Wheaties, September 12, 213
  64. ↑ Teams, August 2, 2013
  65. ↑ Freedom Innovations, August 2, 2013
  66. ↑ Evan Strong, amputee snowboarder, demonstrates elevated vacuum, September 12, 2013
  67. ↑ Flora Ambassadors, August 6, 2013
  68. ↑ Evan Strong * Professional Snowboard Cross Racer and Skateboarder, August 6, 2013
  69. ↑ Evan Strong, August 6,2013
  70. ↑ Our Mission, August 6, 2013
  71. ↑ Lifestyles of Light, August 6, 2103
  72. ↑ Form Is Function, August 6, 2013
  73. ↑ Chicago Sports & Entertainment Partners, August 2, 2013

External links

  1. Official website
  2. Facebook athlete page
  3. Facebook personal page
  4. Instagram Evan Strong
  5. Twitter Evan Strong
  6. Adaptive Action Sports Evan Strong advocate page
  7. The Fix for foodies
  8. Team USA
  9. International Paralympic Committee
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