Posted via her website and facebook, Jen Hudak formally announced her retirement from halfpipe today. A brief portion from her post is below:
"I am officially announcing my retirement from professional halfpipe skiing."
There is so much weight behind those words, but just because I’ve chosen to retire (and it most certainly is my choice), doesn’t mean I need to be done with skiing pursuits entirely. I’m scrapping the “only-way-I-knew-how-to-be-a-skier” model and starting over. I’ve asked myself exactly what it is that I want to do with skiing. And the answer is simple: just SKI!
I want to ski for myself without feeling the pressure to push myself out of my comfort zone day after day (maybe just on occasion). I want to ski with loved ones and I want to share skiing with others. I want to coach clinics and continue supporting the next generation of athletes climbing the ranks and navigating the crazy world of being a “professional” anything at undeveloped age.
What I want to do in life is a touch less clear, but I’m going to roll with what I can grasp right now as the rest will unfold over time. I want to write, about skiing, about transitions, about hardship, about love and about chasing dreams even when they seem to slip out of reach. Some of the most cherished moments that I have from this life, are when YOU, my treasured readers, share how I’ve touched your hearts and made a genuine difference in your lives through my written word. So thank you.
Thank you to everyone reading this- to my sponsors old and new, this journey wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you to my team & family. My coach Elana Chase, agent Mike Svenningsen, my mom, Cathy & dad, Paul, my sister Cristina & brother-in-law, Scott and to my fiancee, Chris–you all have held me up through your unconditional love.
xo, Jen
Jen at the Dew Tour via AlliSports
A brief look at her top finishes:
X GAMES
Gold, HP, Tignes, FRA, 2010
Gold, HP, Aspen, CO, 2010
Silver, HP, Aspen, CO, 2009
Bronze, HP, Aspen, CO, 2008
Bronze, HP, Aspen, CO, 2007
FIS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Silver, HP, Park City, UT, 2011
Bronze, HP, Inawashiro, JPN, 2009
FIS WORLD CUP
Three career podiums
OTHER
1st, HP, Dew Tour, Mount Snow, VT, 2009
2nd, HP, New Zealand Winter Games, Snowpark, NZL, 2011
2nd, HP, Dew Tour, Snowbasin, UT, 2010
3rd, HP, Dew Tour, Breckenridge, CO, 2008
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/795905/Jen-Hudak--Winter-X-Games-2009-We wish her all the best in her new adventure over at RAMP Sports! To read the rest of her announcement, head over to her website here.
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