We are pleased to announce Taylor Merritt as “The Unofficial Pick” for this week. Â Every week from January to April, Â IFSA and Unofficial Networks will feature an athlete, freeride program, or coach who earns their mark in the competition sport of big mountain freeskiing.
Athlete Name: Taylor Marie Merritt
Freeride Program & Head Coaches:Â Winter Park Big Mountain Team; Nicholas Whittemore & Jeremie Livingston
Nicknames:Â Tay-Tay, T-money, ToTo, Merr-Bear, Boog
Age:Â 18
Years skiing:Â 16
Highlights:Â 2010 –Â 3rd JFT Crested Butte, 7th JFT Snowbird, 1st Winter Park, 7th overall JFT Â 2012 –Â 8th Red Mountain, 11th Snowbird Regionals, 15th Taos
Favorite Skier:Â Â Definitley the late and great Shane McConkey
Favorite Run:Â The Shadows in Steamboat on a nice pow day
What would you buy for $50?  Well if that were the cost of a heli-drop, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
What do you eat for breakfast? Â Usually a protein shake or waffles
What’s your gear? My FORTITUDE SKIS of course!  My Dakine backcountry backpack, BCA avy gear, helmet, Hestra 3-finger gloves, my uber-big mens jacket, and my GoPro.
Other hobbies? Â I ride my horse everyday when I’m not skiing and show him in the summers. Â I’m also totally addicted to mountain biking.
Pet Peeves?  I am bothered when people ask too many questions
Goals for 2012:  Having missed last season due to knee surgery, I just want to go out there and have fun with my team it being my last year with such awesome skiers, and my last year on the Junior Tour! A podium would be sweet, but honestly, I’m just happy to be skiing again.
Any Scars? I have 5 from ACL & meniscus reconstruction surgery, and lots more… like another one on my knee from when my friend and I ran into each other and I superman surfed on the concrete
Who do you want to high five? Â Jim Jack
