Given her dream of competing in the Winter X Games, which are held in her adopted hometown, it’s appropriate that she has achieved a great deal of snowboarding success there. Bleiler currently has four gold medals in the superpipe and is the current defending gold medalist in the event. She also holds a silver medal in the event from the 2007 games.
Like many other Winter X Game athletes, Gretchen Bleiler has gone on to compete at the Winter Olympics. Despite not qualifying for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, she went on to qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, winning a silver medal in the halfpipe. She entered the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as a favourite to win the gold medal. However, Bleiler unfortunately lost out on the podium, finishing in 11th place.
Gretchen Bleiler- Career Highlights
Bleiler has become a force to be reckoned with in women’s snowboarding. In addition to her Winter X Games and Olympic medals, she has won several other major competitions, including the 2003 World Superpipe Championships, the Vans Triple Crown on two occasions, two FIS World Cups, and two Overall Grand Prix Championships. Perhaps her most impressive achievement was the eight straight wins she pulled off in 2003.
Aside from her athletic success, Bleiler has prospered as a marketing figure. She was highlighted in commercials for the 2006 Winter Olympics and has featured in advertising campaigns for K2 and Oakley. She has also appeared in multiple magazines, newspapers, and television shows. Bleiler has also been noted for her commitment to environmental causes and has spoken on numerous occasions about these issues.
