The X Games Aspen 2013 returns to Aspen, Colo. on Jan. 24-27, 2013. The women’s field has been announced and it’s another stellar lineup for the popular winter games. Check out who made the cut and the schedule of events for the 2013 Aspen X Games.

PRESS RELEASE:

Shaun White, Kelly Clark Among the First Wave of Athlete Invites

 ESPN will launch into 2013 with X Games Aspen officially kicking off the global expansion – a six-event schedule that will conclude in Los Angeles in August.  In May, ESPN announced it would be expanding the X Games to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; Munich, Germany and Barcelona, Spain – joining X Games Aspen, Los Angeles and Tignes taking the premier action sports event global.

ESPN will present X Games Aspen 2013 from January 24 – 27 bringing all the action back to Buttermilk Mountain for an 11^th consecutive year.  Celebrating 17 years of the winter version of X Games, this year’s competition will feature more than 200 athletes competing for medals and prize money in the sports of Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile.  ESPN and ABC will combine to televise 20 hours of live X Games Aspen competition in high definition. In addition, the Worldwide Leader in Action Sports will present all the X Games action on ESPN 3D.

The full list of first wave athletes invited to compete at X Games Aspen 2013 is available at www.xgames.com.

SNOWBOARDING:
Women’s Slopestyle
Jamie Anderson
Enni Rukajarvi
Kjersti Oestgaard Buaas
Spencer O’Brien

Women’s SuperPipe
Kelly Clark
Elena Hight
Hannah Teter
Gretchen Bleiler
Queralt Castellat
Kaitlyn Farrington
Torah Bright

SKI
Women’s Slopestyle
Kaya Turski
Anna Segal
Emilia Wint
Keri Herman
Dara Howell

Women’s SuperPipe
Roz Groenewoud
Maddie Bowman
Anais Caradeux
Brita Sigourney
Megan Gunning

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
All event times listed are Mountain Standard Time (MST) and subject to change. All competitions take place on Buttermilk at Aspen, Colo.

Thursday, January 24, 2013
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Skiing SuperPipe Men’s Elimination
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Snowboard Slopestyle Men’s Elimination
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Snowboard SuperPipe Men’s Elimination
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Snowmobile Freestyle Final

Friday, January 25, 2013
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Skiing Slopestyle Men’s Elimination
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Snowboard Street Round One & Final
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Skiing SuperPipe Women’s Fina
8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Snowboard Big Air Round One & Final
8:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Skiing SuperPipe Men’s Final

Saturday, January 26, 2013
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Snowmobile Seeding
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Snowboard Slopestyle Men’s Final
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Snowboard Slopestyle Women’s Final
2:45 p.m. – 4 p.m. Snowmobile Speed & Style Final
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Skiing Big Air Round One & Final
7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Snowboard SuperPipe Women’s Final

Sunday, January 27, 2013
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Skiing Slopestyle Men’s Final
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Snowmobile SnoCross Adaptive Final
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Skiing Slopestyle Women’s Final
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Snowmobile SnoCross Round One, LCQ & Final
7 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Snowmobile Best Trick Final
7:45 p.m. – 9 p.m. Snowboard SuperPipe Men’s Final

Visit Xgames.com for more info on the event and updated info.

It’s with a heavy heart I share this sad news. While I never knew Sarah personally, I do know many of her friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah’s family, friends and loved ones. Sarah was a four-time Winter X Games champion from Canada. She crashed last week while training on the Eagle Superpipe in Park City, Utah.

January 19, 2012 - Groundbreaking Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke passed away at 9:22AM January 19, 2012 at the University of Utah Hospital from injuries sustained in an accident on the Eagle Superpipe at Park City Mountain Resort on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. She was training for upcoming winter events.

As the result of Sarah’s fall, she suffered a ruptured vertebral artery, one of the four major arteries supplying blood to the brain. The rupture of this artery led to a severe intracranial hemorrhage, which caused Sarah to go into cardiac arrest on the scene. Emergency personnel responded and CPR was administered on the scene during which time she remained without a pulse or spontaneous breathing.  Studies in the University of Utah Hospital Emergency Department indicated that she retained brainstem function. She was placed on life support and a protocol of therapeutic hypothermia was initiated to protect her brain. An angiogram indicated the site of arterial bleeding, and on Wednesday, January 11 the injured artery was successfully repaired.

After the operation, numerous neurological examinations, electrodiagnostic tests and imaging studies revealed that Sarah sustained severe irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest, resulting in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Sarah passed away peacefully surrounded by those she loved. In accordance with Sarah’s wishes, her organs and tissues were donated to save the lives of others.

While early reports in the media stated that Sarah’s injury was a traumatic brain injury, it is important to note that Sarah’s condition was the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain during cardiac arrest.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Sarah’s dear friends for their love and support, and for traveling to Salt Lake City to comfort the family.

They would also like to thank the University of Utah Hospital and her physicians and care team in the Neuro Critical Care Unit for their incredible care and compassion.

The family was moved by the sincere and heartfelt sympathy expressed by people inspired by Sarah from all around the world. They have received a substantial number of inquiries from those who would like to make a contribution on behalf of Sarah.  For more information, please go to http://www.giveforward.com/sarahburke.

A public celebration of Sarah’s life will be held in the coming weeks.

The press conference that was scheduled to take place today has been canceled. Please see the press release for the latest updates on champion skier Sarah Burke’s status.

Late last night, Rory Bushfield, Sarah’s husband, and members of her family met with physicians to discuss the results of Sarah’s most recent neurological tests and assessments. Based on the information they received, we regret to inform you that they have decided to cancel today’s press conference in order for further tests to be conducted this morning and in the coming days. The family wants to express their deep appreciation for the overwhelming support Sarah has received from all over the world. They ask that everyone continue to keep Sarah and Rory in their prayers. Rory and Sarah’s family remain at the hospital.

The family asks that the media continue to respect their privacy. At the family’s request, there will no further updates today from Sarah’s family or the hospital. Future updates will be released via her website at www.sarahburkeski.com.

Fans may continue to express their support via Sarah’s Facebook page and the hashtag #believeinsarah on Twitter.

Lead photo via smith optics facebook.

Champion freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains in critical condition after sustaining an injury during a routine training practice. A press conference will be held on Monday, January 16th. We’ll have more details tomorrow related to the press conference.

For Immediate Release
January 13, 2012 - Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains at the University of Utah Hospital in critical condition. She is under close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team coordinated by neurointensivist Safdar Ansari, M.D.

“Sarah remains in critical condition in the Neuro Critical Care Unit”, said Ansari. “With traumatic brain injury, our care is focused on addressing the primary injury and preventing secondary brain damage, as well as managing other injuries sustained at the time of the accident; all of which requires close monitoring and intensive care. At this moment, Sarah needs more time before any prognosis can be determined.”

More information about traumatic brain injury can be found from the following resources: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/

Friends and fans may continue to post their well wishes on Sarah’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Burke/50553451173.

A press conference will be held on Monday, January 16, 2012 at the University of Utah Clinical Neurosciences Center. Details including time will be available on Sunday January 15.
Lead photo by one of Sarah’s Sponsors – Smith Optics. Props to them for embracing #STAYSTRONGSARAH. Sarah’s family would like #BelieveInSarah to trend, so we’ll be using that hashtag on twitter.  Sarah’s friend and our twitter pal who takes awesome photos Jen Hudak shared some of her thoughts with ESPN.

Earlier this week we learned that Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke suffered serious injuries while training in Park City, Utah. The four-time winter X Games champion remains in critical condition after undergoing an operation.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah and her family during this tragic time. Thanks to Nicole, Sarah’s manager for keeping us updated. Help share your well-wishes to Sarah with #STAYSTRONGSARAH on Twitter or “Stay Strong Sarah” on facebook.

For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2012 – Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains in critical condition at the University of Utah Hospital after sustaining serious injuries during a training run at Park City Mountain Resort on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Burke underwent a successful operation to repair a tear to her vertebral artery which resulted in an intracranial hemorrhage at the time of her fall. William T. Couldwell, M.D. Ph.D., professor and chair of Neurosurgery at University of Utah performed the operation to repair the artery.

“With injuries of this type, we need to observe the course of her brain function before making definitive pronouncements about Sarah’s prognosis for recovery,” said Couldwell. “Our Neuro Critical Care team will be monitoring her condition and response continuously over the coming hours and days.”

Sarah’s family is grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support from around the globe. Fans may continue to use Sarah’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Burke/50553451173 to express their wishes and receive updates.

The family also requests media and the public respect their privacy in order to give them time with Sarah at this critical stage.

Lead photo of Sarah holding her feature in OUTSIDE magazine via shaywill.com.

Canadian freestyle skier, Sarah Burke is in a coma after a serious head injury while training at Park City, Utah. The 29 year-old Burke is a four-time Winter X Games champion in the skiing superpipe.

Sarah played a major role in getting the halfpipe added to the 2014 Winter Games. She’s the 2005 halfpipe world gold medalist. Still two years away from the Olympics Sarah has been considered one of the gold-medal favorites in Sochi, Russia (home to the 2014 Winter Olympics).

Reports are that Sara was airlifted from Park City, Utah to Salt Lake City after crashing at the end of a training session.

From www.ctvbc.ctv.ca
The CEO of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association said sources had told him Burke is in a coma, but association spokeswoman Kelley Korbin said Wednesday her condition had yet to be confirmed.

“We’re trying to get more information as I speak,” Korbin said.

Burke, who was born in Ontario before moving to Whistler, B.C., is believed to have landed a trick on her feet before bouncing onto her head.

“What I’ve heard is that the crash itself didn’t appear to be that severe,” Korbin said, adding that it “obviously turned out to be very serious.”

 

According to The Saltlake City Tribune the family has requested not to release further details on Burke’s condition except to confirm that she’s alive and still at the hostpital. Nicole Wool, Sarah’s publicist shared with the paper in an email that Burke is “sedated and being monitored”. At the family’s request, hospital spokesman Phil Sahm could not release further details on Burke’s condition Wednesday morning except to confirm she was still at the hospital and still alive.

Sarah was preparing for the 2012 Winter X-Games held later this month. Read a recent interview with the skiing start on ESPN.com.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah and her loved ones. You can share your thoughts and well wishes on Sarah’s Facebook page or to her twitter account. Include the hashtag #STAYstrongSarah and let’s show how strong our support is while Sarah fights for her life.

UPDATE via Smith Opitics (one of Sarah’s sponsors)
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke was transported by AirMed helicopter to University of Utah Hospital from Park City Mountain Resort after sustaining serious injuries during training. She is currently listed in critical condition in the hospital’s Neuro Critical Care Unit.

“Sarah sustained serious injuries and remains intubated and sedated in critical condition,” according to Safdar Ansari, M.D., a neurointensivist with University of Utah Health Care.

Sarah’s husband Rory Bushfield and her family are by her bedside and wish to express their sincere thanks to everyone, all over the world, for their heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. “Sarah is a very strong young woman and she will most certainly fight to recover,” said Rory.

Sarah’s family has asked that fans and media respect their privacy during this difficult time. Sarah’s friends and fans are encouraged to post their well wishes on Sarah’s Facebook page.

Props to Smith for getting on board with the STAY STRONG SARAH movement. That’s a sign of a company that cares about their athletes!

Lead photo of Sarah holding her feature in OUTSIDE magazine via shaywill.com.

The Winter Dew Tour, in its fourth season, takes place this week in Breckenridge, Colorado. This winter action sports tour consists of three events over three months. Each tour stop includes snowboard superpipe & slopestyle as well as freeski slopestyle & superpipe.

The Dew Tour will bring out some of the biggest names in women’s winter sports. Kelly Clark was a dominate Hardbody on the contest circuit last year and look for her to continue her winning ways again this year. Veterans’ Gretchen Bleiler and Hannah Teter have their sights set on the winners circle and don’t be surprised if they are on the podium once again.

The full schedule of events for the Nike Open is as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 15th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
9:15 AM – 1:15 PM – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Qualifier
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Men’s Freeski Superpipe Qualifier
2:15 PM – 4:00 PM – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Qualifier

Friday, Dec. 16th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Women’s Snowboard Superpipe Semi-Final
9:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle Semi-Final
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Men’s Snowboard Superpipe Semi-Final
1:45 PM – 4:00 PM – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Semi-Final

Saturday, Dec. 17th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Semi-Final
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Men’s Freeski Superpipe Final
2:00 PM – 2:40 PM – Women’s Snowboard Superpipe Final
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Men’s Snowboard Superpipe Final
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM – Nike Chosen One Rail Jam / Yelawolf Concert at the River Walk

Sunday, Dec. 18th – Festival Village Opens at 9:00AM
9:30 AM – 10:10 AM – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Men’s Freeski Slopestyle Final

For additional Winter Dew Tour event information, visit www.Allisports.com.   Visit the Dew Tour Facebook page and follow @thedewtour on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information on the latest Winter Dew Tour action.

Complete 2011-12 Winter Dew Tour schedule is as follows:
Nike Open
Dec. 15-18, 2011
Breckenridge Ski Resort – Breckenridge, Colo.
Pantech Invitational
Jan. 19-22, 2012
Killington Resort – Killington, Vt.
Toyota Championships
Feb. 9-12, 2012
Snowbasin Resort – Ogden,Utah