After the SHEER, “SCHOCHING” victories of the Schoch Brothers yesterday, Swiss Miss Daniela Meuli took the Gold at the same event today.

Meuli competing at a pre-Olympic event (Source: NBC)

American Rosey Fletcher took the Bronze, vindicating the U.S. Men’s defeat yesterday. By the way, though Tyler Jewell didn’t win the PGS event, his struggles and story of determination is a must-read.

Meuli went head-to-head with Fletcher in the semifinals. The former snowboarded to an easy victory after Fletcher fell. The same thing happened to her competitor, Silver Medalist Amelie Kober (GER), in the finals.

Post from: EveryJoe

An All SWISS Domination at PGS!

The victorious Schoch brothers (Source: NBC)

Older brother Simon was expected to win the event but a mistake on the slalom course handed the Gold to Philipp.

Siegfried Grabner of Austria took the bronze after his French competitor fell on his first run.

In a sport that is practically invented by Americans, the lone U.S. snowboarder, Tyler Jewell, could only manage a ninth place finish.

But despite the premature exit, Jewell’s journey to the Winter Olympics is an incredible story of determinitaion and inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.

While training for the event, Jewell had been living out of his car or tent for the last 4 years. And to save money for training and equipment, Jewell had to subsist on nutrition bars and cheap hospital food.

Graceful even in defeat, Jewell said, “Just getting here, everything I had to do financially … to me the coolest thing is I followed my heart through thick and thin and everything worked out.”

And for that, Tyler Jewell, I salute you. I will vote for you as the athlete who best embodies the Olympic Spirit. Good luck in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

Post from: EveryJoe

It’s all in the family! And a story of Inspiration.