Shannon Dunn-Downing
Encyclopedia
Shannon Dunn-Downing (born November 26, 1972) is an American
snowboarder
and Olympic medalist. She received a bronze medal in the halfpipe event at the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano, becoming the first American woman to win a medal in snowboarding. She finished 5th at the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City. She won a gold medal at the first Winter X Games in California 1997, and again in 2001.
Shannon was the first woman to land several difficult halfpipe tricks in competition, including a frontsitde 540 in 1991, backside 540 in 1994, Mctwist in 1994, frontside 720 in 1995, and frontside rodeo 720 in 2001. She is also noted for working behind the scenes on the development women's products for companies such as Burton Snowboards and Velvet Goggles, and on events such as the all-girl photo shoot, the P!Jamma Party.
In the mid-2000s, Shannon retired from professional snowboarding to focus on raising her family.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
snowboarder
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
and Olympic medalist. She received a bronze medal in the halfpipe event at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano, becoming the first American woman to win a medal in snowboarding. She finished 5th at the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in Salt Lake City. She won a gold medal at the first Winter X Games in California 1997, and again in 2001.
History
Shannon started snowboarding in 1988 in Steamboat Springs, CO where she grew up, and began competing in the early 90's.Shannon was the first woman to land several difficult halfpipe tricks in competition, including a frontsitde 540 in 1991, backside 540 in 1994, Mctwist in 1994, frontside 720 in 1995, and frontside rodeo 720 in 2001. She is also noted for working behind the scenes on the development women's products for companies such as Burton Snowboards and Velvet Goggles, and on events such as the all-girl photo shoot, the P!Jamma Party.
In the mid-2000s, Shannon retired from professional snowboarding to focus on raising her family.
Results
- 1st Place '02 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Mammoth Mountain, CA (Dec.16)
- 1st Place '02 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Mammoth Mountain, CA (Dec.13)
- 5th Place '02 Olympic Winter Games Halfpipe, Park City, UT
- 1st Place '01 Winter X Games Halfpipe, Mount Snow, VT
- 2nd Place '01 Winter X Games Slopestyle, Mount Snow, VT
- 2nd Place '01 US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT
- 1st Place '00 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Northstart at Tahoe, CA
- 1st Place '00 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Breckenridge Mountain Resort, CO
- 1st Place '00 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Mammoth Mountain, CA
- 2nd Place '00 Nippon Open Halfpipe, Hakuba, Japan
- 2nd Place '00 US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT
- 1st Place '99 FIS World Cup Halfpipe, Mount Bachelor, OR
- 2nd Place '99 Winter X Games Halfpipe, Crested Butte, CO
- 1st Place '99 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Mount Bachelor, OR
- 1st Place '99 USSA Grand Prix Halfpipe, Copper Mountain, CO
- 1st Place '99 Nippon Open Halfpipe, Hokkaido, Japan
- 3rd Place '99 US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT
- 1st Place '99 USSA Super Prix Halfpipe and Overall, Okemo Mountain, VT
- Bronze Medalist '98 Olympic Winter Games, Halfpipe, Yamanouchi Mountain, Nagano, Japan
- 1st Place '97 Winter X Games Halfpipe, Crested Butte, CO
- 1st Place '94 US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT
- 1st Place '93 US Open Halfpipe, Stratton Mountain, VT
- 2-time ISF World Halfpipe Champion