“From day one, snowboarding led me down a totally different path, and it's that path that's kept me laughing and continually intrigued. I love the satisfaction at the end of the day of overcoming my fears, of spending all day outside working hard, and there's nothing better than the feeling of landing a new trick for the first time.”

American former professional halfpipe snowboarder

Gretchen Elisabeth Bleiler is an American former professional halfpipe snowboarder. She won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Bleiler competed at the highest level of her sport and became best known for her Olympic success. Her career is tied to snowboarding, especially halfpipe competition, and to the discipline and focus required to reach the podium at the Games.