CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2005 Inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame
1998 Olympic Gold Medal,
1997 1st Place – World Cup, Giant Slalom, Whistler
1996 1st Place – World Cup, Super G, Whistler
1996 1st Place – World Cup, Giant Slalom, Sestriere
1994 1st Place – European Championships
1994 1st Place –
1992 1st Place –
1991 Canadian Amateur Snowboard Champion
1991 Overall
ROSS REBAGLIATI'S BIOGRAPHY
MAKING HISTORY
On February 8, 1998, Ross Rebagliati made Olympic history in Nagano, Japan by winning the first ever gold medal for snowboarding. In Canada and around the world, fans of the sport celebrated the Olympic Milestone. In 2005, to commemorate Ross' inclusion in the pages of history, he was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame.
BREAKING RECORDS FROM DAY ONE
Born July 14, 1971, Ross took to the mountains at an early age. With his snowboard in hand, he moved to Whistler in 1990 to pursue his dream of becoming a world-class athlete. In 1991, Ross took top position at the Canadian and U.S. Amateur Snowboard Championships. As the years moved forward so did Ross' winning streak. Over the next few years, Ross took home a gold medal at the Mount Baker Banked Slalom (1992) and the U.S. Open (1994). Following his win at the U.S. Open, Ross traveled to Germany to compete in the European Championships. There Ross not only carved his way to the finish line and the top spot on the podium but was the first non-European to win the European Championships.
RACING INTO THE PAGES OF HISTORY
With the European Championship win under his belt, Ross focused his training on winning the 1996 World Cup in his hometown of Whistler, B.C. Surrounded by Canadian fans and neighbours, Ross raced to the finish line to take home the winning medal. Making its Olympic debut in 1998, snowboarding was quickly becoming know as the world's ground-breaking new sport. At the Olympic snowboarding giant slalom race, Ross competed with the world's top athletes. His years of training and endurance paid off, as he raced to victory and brought home the gold medal for Canada.
INSPIRING FUTURE OLYMPIANS
Ross has been able to take his love of the sport to reach out to youth in the community. As an active member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ross has helped grant the wishes of children from as far away as Florida. Ross' name and offer of a snowboard lesson can be seen on silent auction ballots for many charities including the Canadian Diabetes Association, Whistler Rotary Club, British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, the Endeavour Auction and the Steve Nash Foundation. Always happy to meet with upcoming Olympic hopefuls, Ross is an active participant at annual events hosted by the Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver and Kids Help Phone.
A HOME-GROWN HERO
Visitors to Whistler now have the opportunity to take a run down Ross' Gold at Blackcomb or take a stroll in Rebagliati Park.
ROSS REBAGLIATI'S PROFILE
Name: Ross Rebagliati
Pronouced: rehb-lee-ah-tee
Age: 38
Birthdate: July 14, 1971
Birthplace: North Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Weight: 180 lbs (82kg)
Hobbies: Snowboarding, kitesailing, surfing, stock car racing, motorcross, golf, mountain biking, scuba diving, "I'm into all those kind of sports where you stand on one thing with both feet on it," Ross said in an interview with Snowboard Canada.
Favourite Music: Frank Zappa, Finley Quaye, Cypress Hills, Jamiroguai, Rage Against the Machine, Bob Marley, "I like the Deathless Horsey, it's a guitar solo and Inca Roads is another favorite of mine. I listen to jazz and reggae, all across the board."
Favourite Book: Lord of the Rings
Other Favourites: Art, especially folk art, antique signs and old abstract paintings
Favourite foods: chicken and broccoli, protein shakes, t-bone steak and ribs
Favourite Drinks: espresso
Language: English and French
Ancestry: English, Italian (new citizen in November 2006), Dutch, Russian
Education: Elementary school = L'Ecole Jules Quesnel (studied in Nice, France for a year at age 12), High School = Lord Byng Secondary School, University = University of British Columbia (one semester before leaving to join the World Cup circuit).
Family Status: Father = Mark Rebagliati (geologist), Mother - Lynda Partone (lives in California), Sister = Christy Phillips (married with 2 children), Grandmother - Sylvia Rebagliati.
Marital Status: Married to Alexandra Rebagliati (March 23, 2004)
Children: Son = Ryan Enzo Rebagliati (May 15, 2009)
Pets: Emma (a Pressa Canario dog), Logan (an English Bulldog) and Nadie the cat
*If you need any additional information on Ross Rebagliati please e-mail: info@rossrebagliati.com