Jake Vedder has been racing snowboardcross since he was eight years old, but 2016 was a true breakout year for the Michigander, who calls the town of Pinckney home. Vedder scored multiple Nor-Am Cup podiums and his first World Cup appearance, but his big break was winning a gold medal for the U.S. at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Winter Games.

Vedder was invited to train with U.S. Snowboarding's snowboardcross development team in 2016. Watch for this young phenom to do well on the international circuit in years to come.  

FIRST TRACKS
Vedder's first time on snow was on a pair of skis at the age of two. The slopes at Mt. Brighton were his local hangout, and he was snowboarding within a few short years. By the age of eight Vedder was competing in his first races, and the national level competitions came shortly after that. 

OFF THE SNOW
When it's not snowing, you can find Jake mountain biking, kite surfing, wakesurfing, paddle boarding and skateboarding.