2003 Reader Poll winners
After thousands of ballots submitted through the mail and internet were tabulated, Coloradans Seth Morrison and Wendy Fisher emerged as the top skiers in POWDER's second-annual Reader Poll.
This marks the second year in a row that Fisher, a former U.S. Ski Team member, three-time World Extreme Skiing Champion, and star of numerous Matchstick Productions films, has been selected by the readers of Powder as the top female skier.
Morrison moved up a slot from second place, knocking Shane McConkey from the top spot. McConkey finished second in this year's poll.
Sarah Burke jumped from fourth in last year's poll, to second this year. She is followed by Jamie Burge, who also moves up two slots, from fifth to third. Kristi Leskinen, winner of 2003 Best Performance by a Female for her role in Poor Boyz Productions 2002-'03 release Happy Dayz, debuted on the poll in fourth.
Gordy Piefer, Tanner Hall, Jon Olsson, Jonny Moseley, C.R. Johnson, and Bode Miller are also making their first appearance on the POWDER Reader Poll.
The 2002 POWDER Magazine Reader Poll is:
1. Seth Morrison
Seth Morrison is not a ski hero or an icon. Rather, he has emerged as the 21st century's first skiing demi-god. As evidenced by his progressive, fierce aerial attack on mountains throughout British Columbia and Alaska last winter, Seth is out to prove not only that he is the hardest-charging dog in the kennel, but also that big mountain freestyle has no limits. Considering that he is single-handedly drag ging our sport into unknown territory, it's only fitting that he nabbed POWDER's Full Throttle Video Award this year. We urge everyone to buckle up-this flight's gonna be a little rough. -Steve Metcalf
2. Shane McConkey
When asked which are his favorite skiers to watch today, Scot Schmidt replies, "If I had to pick one, it would be Shane McConkey. He's very entertaining and does it all well." An avid B.A.S.E.-jumper, skydiver, and stretch-pant-loving spread-eagler, Shane enjoys defying the constraints that apply to normal human beings. "I also like to pick my nose a lot," he volunteers. On skiing's progression, McConkey says, "If skiing had remained the same as it was five years ago, I don't think anyone would be skiing anymore." Thanks to McConkey's innovations, energy, and humor-not to mention his innate athletic talent-the dream is alive and kicking. -Ingrid Backstrom
3. Micah Black
2002 was a big year for this unassuming Jackson local. Whether it was backstage with David Bowie for the "Regis and Kelly Show", being photographed for Cosmopolitan's "Hottest Hunks in the U.S.", road-gapping for Nissan, or pioneering new routes in the Chugach, Micah Black was doing it with style. A class act on all fronts, Vipe (as he's known among inner circles) is best known for railing near-impossible European descents and for his casual backcountry jibbing. His jump to third (he placed eighth in last year's inaugural Reader Poll) is testament to Black's dedication to continuously raising the bar on the world's best terrain. -Chris Denny
4. Gordy Peifer
Missing, strangely, from last year's Reader Poll Top 10 list, Gordy Peifer secures a much-deserved spot in 2003.
Growing up skiing trash piles in Michigan, Peifer moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1988, with one mission: Ski deep powder. He quickly garnered a reputation as one of the Wasatch's biggest cliff-huckers. In 1998, he proved that his skills extended beyond airtime, winning the Canadian Freeskiing Championships and finishing third in the overall IFSA tour standings. Today, his smooth, powerful, technical style makes him one of the sport's most photographed and filmed skiers. His down-to-earth, gregarious demeanor also makes him one of the most likeable. -Keith Carlsen
5. Jonny Moseley
More than anyone else on the planet, Jonny Moseley has shoved skiing in the face of the common man. Skiing's Tony Hawk, Moseley has become a veritable celebrity, rocking his now-trademark "Ski" T-shirt everywhere from "The Weakest Link" to "Road Rules" to his impressive performance as host of "Saturday Night Live." While Moseley may have finished fourth at the 2002 Winter Olympics, he gave established, repetitive, moldy mogul skiing a wake-up call with his risky Dinner Roll, stealing the show for the second Games in a row. -Scott Gaffney
6. Jon Olsson
While the rest of the Superpipe field at the 2002 Winter X Games slept off hangovers, bitched about flat light, and got "mentally prepared," Jon Olsson was the only one actually preparing physically-showing up a full hour before any other competitor to take laps in the ditch. The work paid off, as Olsson ruled the pipe and added a gold medal to the slopestyle bronze he won days earlier. Once one of Sweden's most promising GS racers-he still posts impressive results in the odd FIS race he enters-Olsson has utilized a gate-chaser's work ethic to become one of the most well-rounded young professionals in skiing. -Derek Taylor
7. Tanner Hall
What more can be said about the brightest light in the freeskiing pantheon? He owns big air, kills slopestyle, and delivers, arguably, the sickest jib-film segments to date. He's also a cofounder of Armada skis, replete with the tagline, "What skiing will become." While the slogan may be ostentatious, Hall's one of the only skiers who truly lives up to it. -Jake Bogoch
8. Bode Miller
While his two Olympic silver medals are ample evidence of his racing talents, Bode Miller is more than a gate-bashing prodigy. Rare among those on the World Cup circuit, this loose Cannon is as comfortable off the groomers as he is on the course. "For off-piste, I like Chamonix, St. Anton, and Alaska," Miller says. "I always make time for freeskiing, especially when the snow is good." His accolades are many, but that doesn't make seventh place any less meaningful. "I'm really stoked," says Miller, "to be recognized by POWDER readers." -I.B.
9. C. R. Johnson
While there are plenty of talented skiers, there are few who can be described as "professional," and only a handful actually contributing to the future of skiing. C.R. Johnson is one. It's not just his natural talent and incredible work ethic propelling him to the top-it is his love of the sport and his understanding of what it takes to be skiing's next superstar. His entry into this year's Reader Poll is a welcome signal of things to come. -Matt Levinthal
10. Kent Kreitler
After many memorable photos and movie segments, Kreitler is renowned for his big mountain exploits. But what most may not know is that he is equally impressive in the park. During last year's Superpark 4, some hits remained dormant until Kreitler showed up, stepped up, and established the pace for each feature-consistently setting the appropriate speed and amplitude for a host of younger kids. But no matter where he skis, the style and power with which he attacks is a constant source of inspiration. Kreitler's second consecutive appearance in the POWDER Reader Poll is an appropriate testament to his skiing prowess. -Dave Tokaruk
Female 1. Wendy Fisher
Perpetually dazzling audiences with her movie segments, Fisher remains completely dedicated to skiing. Speaking at Colorado schools and meeting fans on the slopes are a few of the ways she channels her infectious enthusiasm for the sport. "I'm just so psyched to have fun skiing, as opposed to the end of my ski-team days, when I was burnt out," she says. "It's like having a kid's mentality again. I love to share that with people." -I.B.
2. Sarah Burke
While we've seen more of her smile recently than her skiing ability, there's no doubt Burke is committed to pushing her park prowess to new levels. Just cresting her second decade, Sarah has all the time in the world to evolve into the multi-terrain fem-phenom that lurks inside. Now based out of Mammoth Mountain, it will only be a few seasons until we see big mountain misty 7s unleashed from the fairer sex. -S.M.
3. Jamie Burge
It was only a matter of time. Jamie Burge dethroned Wendy Fisher in this year's POWDER Video Awards, winning Best Performance by a Female with her powerful skiing in MSP's The Front Line. Burge is known for throwing back flips into chutes, charging big lines, and launching train gaps, but is admired for her sense of humor and attitude. After TK years on the scene, Burge's résumé continues to grow: She's amassed TK podium finishes on the competitive big mountain freeskiing tour; teamed up with POWDER Photo Editor David Reddick as one of four female skiers at the 2002 Red Bull Snowthrill of Alaska photo contest; and, with this year's December issue, became the first female to grace this magazine's cover in 10 years. -K.C.fun-loving
4. Kristi Leskinen
We've all seen the posters by now: Kristi Leskinen dolled up like a pop diva in a pair of skimpy, low-cut jeans, a crop top, and a cascade of blond hair flowing past her shoulders. There is no way this girl is legit. Skier girls don't look like that. Well, guess again, because Kristi threw down the most impressive freestyle video segment done by a woman to date in Poor Boyz Productions' Happy Dayz. From stomping rodeo 720s to impressive assaults on urban rails, Kristi proves without any doubt that it's talent, not looks that has placed her at the forefront of skiing's elite. -Mike Douglas
5. Kristen Ulmer
Ulmer's portfolio includes 25 ski movies, several gnarly first descents, and countless published photos. Away from the camera, she's been giving her newest sponsor, Ralph Lauren Polo Sport, advice on ski clothing design, and is an established journalist who has written features for Penthouse and columns for Maxim. Coaching for H2O Heli Guides' first female-only big mountain clinic last spring ended her boycott of all-women ski gatherings. "It was the most interesting project I've worked on," she says. Her ultimate goal? "Becoming a recreational skier-a really good one." -Jackie Baker