Hannah Teter practicing at the Copper pipe in
December, 2009

Hannah Teter needs no introduction - a 2006 Gold Medalist at the Torino Olympics, she has enjoyed countless podiums, a slew of sponsors and a darling personality. Be it riding pipe, donating to charity or hanging with friends, she's always seems to be doing it right, right at right time, right?

Well we had a few minutes to catch up with this maple syrup-addicted fem-phenome, prior to her performance at this weekend's upcoming US Snowboarding Grand Prix. Here's the latest lowdown on Hannah's high-flying life.

Pro File: Hannah Teter

Hannah how are you feeling heading into this weekend?
"I'm stoked; it should be interesting. It's the first night competition of the year [at a Grand Prix], so we're going to start to get a feel for Vancouver because that's all at night, and the pipe is way faster at night. It's a gonna be a great show."

What's your general game plan?
"To stomp it! Hah! Ya know, just to be on; to throw down the tricks and make 'em big and hopefully grab another spot on the podium to ensure the position [on the team]."

Now is it true you're planning to donate any prize winnings?
"Yes that's right, all the money that I win this weekend I'm going to donate to Haiti [relief effort]...it's real crazy; they need a lot of help, so that'll give me more motivation to ride hard."
www.HannahsGold.com
Don't you have another charity?
"Yes. I have my normal charity, Hannah's Gold, and I usually donate all my contest winnings to that, which has been really successful, but when something huge like this [the Haiti earthquake] happens, you gotta share the wealth."

Speaking of Hannah's Gold, have the sales of your maple syrup been good?
"Yeah they've been alright, they usually pick up during the winter. Burton carries them in all their stores so I have my sponsors helping out a lot. This year Samsung is donating matching funds to every dollar sold, so hopefully we sell a lot! (http://www.samsung.com/mobileexplorers)"

Did I see you on Jimmy Fallon talking about that when he interviewed you?
"Yeah it was fun."

Hannah on Jimmy Fallon

You also have your own Ben & Jerry's ice cream, yes?
"Yeah that's doing really well. It kinda has small distribution [currently], so all my friends are like "Where can I get it???" But it's really addicting so I think people will love it ....it's really good. I don't really eat ice cream but I'm addicted to [Maple Blondie], I can't stop eating it!"

So did you pick out the ingredients? Like, "I want marshmallows and hot fudge?"
"Yeah I went out [to Ben & Jerry's in Vermont] and did taste tasting; we picked out the brownie chunks and the maple swirl and just kinda made it extra, extra good. Because there were all these different flavors, and we knew we wanted it to be maple something, so we went through whole rounds of testing."

Speaking of maple syrup and Vermont, how are the folks back on the home front?
"Good, they're coming out for the last two events, my parents, and they've been watching all along, they're always so supportive."
Hannah's Ben & Jerry's flavor, Maple Blondie
With all the hoopla for the Olympics, how has this year been different from 2006?
"The qualification is similar, I guess I'm just more knowledgeable going into it, knowing that it's the biggest contest in the world. As long as you go in and have fun and don't feel the pressure, it makes it so much easier. I have the knowledge going in now, so hopefully it will come in handy!"

What would it mean to you if you made the Olympic team for a second time?
"It would be incredible; another dream come true, and a platform to be more of a spokesperson to make big, positive changes, which is what I want to do. It would be a multi-dimensional win."

Your family has a lot of multi-dimensional talent, your brother Elijah is having a strong year competing as well!
"Yeah he's killing it. Just needs some podium spots to make it."

Is he feeling good overall?
"Yeah I think so, he doesn't have a double flip which is a big thing for the guys right now, but you don't have to have one. As you saw JJ got 3rd without one. So Elijah has a chance."

He has that switch method, which is steezy...
"Yeah super steezy. He does those bigger than I go regular!"

It's been crazy winter with the injuries to Kevin and Danny. How's it impacted you?
"It's crazy. We're all friends and we all cheer each other on, so when someone goes down or has an accident...it definitely is a reminder that we're fragile human beings and we have to be careful. So it's a good reminder for everybody to know that every step you take you have to be aware and conscious of everything."

Photo: Kevin Westenbarger
Hannah finished 2nd at the Mammoth Grand Prix

Well hopefully speedy recovery to those guys.
"Yeah they're both in their prime as athletes, so they'll heal really quick, but it's just really sad cause they're both [capable] Gold Medal winners and to have them out is not fair to the competition because they're some of the heavy hitters."

You had an injury earlier this year at Copper that kept you out of the first Grand Prix. How was it coming back from that?
"It was good, I've been feeling super strong, so it only took me out for a couple days, so I started rehabbing real quick. I've also been wearing a special tape on my shoulder that's incredible. I haven't even noticed anything for a couple weeks, so it's really solid."

What's up with your other sponsors these days?
"Well I mentioned Samsung... I'm also doing a new ad campaign for AMP actually. They've got this new orange juice out that's all natural that I've been drinking a lot. So I'm looking forward to that. I've also got Sierra at Tahoe resort and of course Burton and Anon goggles which is part of Burton."

Best of luck this weekend, stay healthy, have fun and go big!
"Yeah that's what they're scoring the highest; whoever's going the biggest."

So just big amplitude, a couple steezy tricks, throw in some grabs and call it good, right?
"Yeah call it a night!"

Then go out during the Sundance Film Festival to party in Park City?
"Yeah that's going on ... so hopefully we could catch a show this weekend, could be be sweet!"

Ok Hannah good luck, we'll be rooting for you!
"Thanks James!"

By James Sullivan