Lauren Weibert - Freestyle Snowboarder

I am honored to earn this amazing opportunity to represent the United States Deaf Ski and Snowboard Association (USDSSA) for the second time as an athlete this December 2019 at the Deaflympics in Valtellina Valchiaveena, Italy. 

I will be defending my Slopestyle Snowboarding gold medal from my last Deaflympics Winter Games in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia in 2015. I also won a silver medal in Boardercross. 

The international Olympic Committee-sanctioned Deaflympics has been held every four years since 1942. This is the second-oldest international multi-sport event in the world.  The event draws more than 2,500 athletes from approximately 30 countries. The Deaflympics is such an incredible, rewarding, and enriching experience that brings together deaf athletes from all over the world and I love being a part of it.

I must fundraise $3,319 to cover all expenses including domestic & international airfare, room & board, insurance, and competition expenses.

I live in Breckenridge, Colorado, a world-class ski resort where all kinds of athletes go (Olympians included!). My first few years living in Colorado were spent snowboarding competitively, mostly rail jams and slopestyle events.  I did very well; I almost always ended up on the podium.  One particular competition that I am proud of is an all-girls slopestyle competition called Nikita Chikita that took place a few years ago at Brighton in Utah.  I placed 4th out of around 60 girls in the amateur division (and I was the only Deaf athlete!). 

I try to volunteer at Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing every year to teach the next generation of deaf snowboarders; it's my way of giving back and spreading the love of snowboarding. I also traveled to local schools sharing my past Deaflympics experience, sending a message of preservation, determination, and teamwork, to inspire the deaf youth that deaf people are capable of great things.

I have been snowboarding for 17 years and I am so grateful to be supported by Capita Snowboarding, Union Binding Company, 686 Outerwear, Coal Headwear, Crab Grab, Gravitee Boardshop, and The Dog House. Oh, and of course, my amazing local community that helped to send me to the last Winter Deaflympics in Russia!

Check out this interview that online magazine Engearment did with me!

If you would rather mail a check and avoid fees, you can make the check out to USDSSA or United States Deaf Ski and Snowboard Association. Please write in the memo, "Deaflympics - Lauren Weibert." The check can be mailed to the address below:

USDSSA

Attn: USDSSA Treasurer

76 Kings Gate North

Rochester, NY 14617

I know winter may not be here yet, but the dream is, will you be a part of it?

Thank you so much for your support!

Lauren Weibert, razzical@gmail.com

Instagram: @thedeafness