Oakley Sports

Daron Rahlves

www.daronrahlves.com
Date of Birth: June 12, 1973
Hometown: Truckee, CA
Other Sponsors: Oakley, Red Bull, Atomic, Giro, Spyder, Sugar Bowl Resort, Honda, Swix,
Career Highlights:
- 7 US National Titles
- 15 US National Podiums
- 28 World Cup Podiums
- 12 World Cup Wins
- 3 World Championship medals
- 1 XGames Gold
- Featured in MSP's "In Deep", Warren Miller's "Dynasty"

Bio

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT DARON IN OUTSIDE MAGAZINE

The most decorated American Downhill and Super G skier in history. Daron won 12 World Cup races, had 28 World Cup podiums, 7 US National Titles, is the 2001 World Champion in Super G, Silver medal at the 2005 Worlds in DH and Bronze medal in GS. He was the winner of the legendary Hahnenkamm Downhill in 2003 and SG in 2004 along with 7 podium finishes in Kitzbuhel over 5 years. Now ski cross is the competition of his choice. In 2008 Daron took the win in Skier X at Winter X Games 12 and finished 3rd overall on the Jeep Skiing/48 Straight Tour.

Daron Rahlves was born June 12, 1973 in Walnut Creek, California. Growing up in Nor Cal he was exposed to all kinds of sports: soccer, tennis, golf, waterskiing, jet skiing, motocross and snow skiing. Every winter in Tahoe and summers at Clear Lake, snow skiing and water sports became one of Daron’s many strong suits. At the age of 12, Daron’s family moved up to Tahoe so that he could focus on competing. During the summers, he stayed serious about another passion: jet skiing. After 4 years racing 440 Super Stock and the modified class he became the Expert World Champion in 1993 and that same year was named to the US Ski Team. 13 years on the National Team included racing World Cup, being named to 5 World Championships teams and 3 Winter Olympic Games. Now he’s made a transition from Alpine Ski Racing to skier cross comps on The FIS World Cup, X-Games and the 2010 Olympics. Also on his plate is a goal of big mountain free skiing and filming with the top ski movie crews. “My goal is to explore more of the sport of skiing. That’s why I decided to retire from World Cup racing when I was on top and healthy. On my own terms.” As an ambassador for Sugar Bowl Resort, Daron works with their ski academy and ski team passing on his knowledge from his ski racing success. Time is spent at home in Truckee, CA and balancing that out with a place at the beach in Encinitas, CA. Life is good for he and wife Michelle raising twins Dreyson and Miley. Their place in north county is a perfect escape from the mountains for surf and So-cal mx tracks on his Honda CRF450R.

Q&A

Any last words? Yeah, MAKE IT HAPPEN.
If you could be someone famous, who would you be? Who wants to be famous?
Number of years participating in your sport 29
What are your favorite songs currently loaded onto your Thump? The Four Horseman, Metallica; Rise Up, Pennywise; Intergalactic and Beasties; Man in Black, Johnny Cash.
What is more important to you than surfing? My relationship with my wife Michelle and staying healthy so I can ski.
When did you start your sport? Age 3
What move / trick are you working on? I'm all about speed and overall wild style. Keeping my skis hooked up in the turn, running clean and generating speed. The move I'm always working on is throwing my body down the hill.
Who / What inspires you? Anyone that's aggressive and puts it on the line / the bigger the challenge the more motivated and inspired I get.
Do you have any other special talents (music / write / draw / paint)? I'm persistent.
If you were not a pro skier you would be? Having fun doing something else.
Favorite Bands: Pennywise, Beasties, Atmosphere, Bad Religion, Metallica, Black Sabbath and 50 Cent. Films: Gangs of New York, Bravehart and The Great Outdoors. Books: Never Die Easy, Chuck Yeager's biography, Wild Animus, Powder, RacerX and Surfer mags. TV Shows: Sapranos, Discovery Show and AMA Outdoor MX Nationals. Drink: Red Bull, Vodka, OJ, and Cranberry juice with lots of ice in a huge cup.
5 Items I can't live without My Oakley goggles and shades, Atomic skis, Honda dirtbikes and Nautique boats.
To me, Oakley is The Best
Years as a professional 15
Party animal or mellow TV on the couch? Time and a place for both.