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Snowboarding silver medalist Danny Kass says, "Keep shreddin'"
By Andy Halperin // usolympicteam.com // April 5, 2002
Danny Kass is on fire. The 19-year-old has taken the snowboarding world by storm, recently claiming his first Olympic medal by winning silver as part of the U.S. men's historic halfpipe sweep in Salt Lake. But that's only part of his recent success. During the 2000-2001 season, Kass claimed three of the biggest titles available in competitive snowboarding by winning the overall U.S. men's Grand Prix halfpipe title, the X-Games superpipe title and the U.S. Open halfpipe title-which he recently defended at Stratton Mountain, Vt.
Despite all the success, Kass hasn't changed his style. The young phenom resides in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., where he and his older brother Matt keep tabs on their snowboarding apparel company, Grenade Gloves. Kass still loves skateboarding, the sport that led to his interest in snowboarding, as well as drawing. Some of his artwork, including pictures of grim reapers, appears on Danny's snowboards.
Kass, a finalist for the X Games Snowboarder of the Year (ESPN, April 16, 9 p.m. Eastern), usually lets his snowboard do the talking, but he gave usolympicteam.com a few minutes of his time for our questions and to offer America's young snowboarders out there a valuable piece of advice.
Q1. How did you get your start in snowboarding?
DANNY KASS: My older brother got me into it from skateboarding.
Q2. Who has had the most impact on you as a person?
DANNY KASS: My brother.
Q3. What is your favorite part about the sport?
DANNY KASS: Snowboarding with friends.
Q4. What did it mean for you to compete at the Olympics in the U.S. this year?
DANNY KASS: It felt amazing.
Q5. What lifetime accomplishment are you most proud of?
DANNY KASS: Winning the U.S. Open twice.
Q6. How do you feel snowboarding is perceived by most people and what do you see for the future of the sport?
DANNY KASS: What?
Q7. What are some of your future goals, both in snowboarding and beyond?
DANNY KASS: I don't know.
Q8. What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
DANNY KASS: Skateboard.
Q9. If you could snowboard anywhere around the world, where would you
choose and why?
DANNY KASS: Europe because we can take trains and we get to see unseen terrain.
Q10. What advice do you have for aspiring young snowboarders out there?
DANNY KASS: Keep shreddin'.
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