Expanding its diverse lineup of athletes and ambassadors across several sport categories, Smith added freeskier Gus Kenworthy to its global ski team.

The British-born American freestyle skier has dominated the halfpipe, superpipe and slopestyle course for several seasons, earning him five X-Games medals, six AFP world championships and a silver medal in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Growing up in Telluride, CO, Kenworthy honed his skills on the local hill before becoming a pro athlete at 16. Currently focusing his energy on his unique style in the halfpipe and his progressive lines in slopestyle have proven successful throughout his nine-year career, and the momentum continues as he sets his sights on a podium finish at the upcoming 2017 X-Games in Aspen.

“Smith was one of my first sponsors, and I’m really stoked to be partnering with them again. It’s a brand I grew a lot with as an athlete in my early years, and despite a little hiatus, it’s a company I’ve always admired and had a lot of respect for. I’m happy at the prospect of finishing out my career with the same company that I started it with,” said Kenworthy.

Kenworthy joins the Smith team alongside his good friend, Bobby Brown, where the two will continue to compete for freeskiing titles on the mountain but now have the opportunity to collaborate on products and projects within the walls of Smith.

“Even though Gus and Bobby go head-to-head in competition, their friendship and camaraderie off the hill is something we highly value in among our athlete roster,” said Cale Meyer, snow marketing manager at Smith.

Photo courtesy Smith