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Van Ert, Sondra
- Two-time U.S. Olympian in parallel giant slalom (1998, 2002)
- Gold medalist in super G at 2000 Goodwill Games
- Six-time U.S. giant slalom champion (1993, '95, '96, '98, '99, 2000)
- In one of her high school yearbooks, was voted 'Most likely to go to the Olympics' by her peers
- Would like to go to water-ski camp someday
- Has a bumper sticker which reads 'Sure Beats Working For A Living'
- Started skiing at age 3 and competing at age 10
- Has been member of both the U.S. Ski and U.S. Snowboard teams
- A former downhill ski racer, she loves the speed events of snowboarding
- Earned degree in finance from University of Utah
- Retired from skiing in mid-1980s to go to college, but returned to the slopes on a snowboard at age 25 after seeing some kids on boards and thinking it would be fun. She started competing four years later.
- Has a wide array of favorite hobbies away from snowboarding: mountain biking, BMX, water-skiing, climbing, playing with her dog, knitting and computers
Van Ert may be one of the elder members of the U.S. Snowboard Team, but she also is one of the top medal threats. She has been working hard to improve on her 12th-place finish at the 1998 Games, but she also is enjoying competing. "I know what it's like in the real world. If someone wants to let me travel the world and snowboard, I'll do it 'till I'm 90."
Related Links
Video: 2002 Video: On roller coasters...
On why she doesn't compete in halfpipe:
"When I spin around, it's not on purpose."
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Height: 5'9
Born: 3/9/1964
Hometown: Ketchum, Idaho
Sport: Snowboarding
Event: Snowboarding (alpine)
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