Born: January 27, 1987 (Belmont, Vermont)
Biography:
Hannah Teter (born January 27, 1987) is an American snowboarder. She is an Olympic champion, having won the gold medal in the halfpipe at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy and silver at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. She has also won bronze at the 2005 FIS World Championships at Whistler, British Columbia, and has a total of six World Cup victories in her career. In January 2010, Teter was named to the US Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She won the silver medal in women’s halfpipe at the Vancouver Games. Teter came in fourth at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. In 2010, Teter was one of the four American athletes chosen to model for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in a section devoted to Winter Olympians. Teter is noted for her charitable work and is the founder of Hannah’s Gold charitable organization. Teter is also the Global Ambassador for Special Olympics.
Born into a snowboarding family in Belmont, Vermont, Teter is the youngest of five siblings. Two of her four older brothers, Abe and Elijah, have competed for the US Snowboard team, and her eldest brother Amen is their agent and manager. Both of the Teter parents, Jeff and Pat, were skiers, but have since been converted to snowboarding by their children. Teter started snowboarding at the age of 8, taking her first lesson at her home mountain of Okemo. She is an Okemo Mountain School graduate. By 2002 at the age of 15, she was the World Junior Halfpipe Champion, and had begun riding on the FIS Snowboard World Cup circuit. Teter achieved a 4th-place finish in her first World Cup halfpipe event at Valle Nevado, Chile, in September of that year. Teter became vegetarian after watching the film Earthlings, and credits her plant-based diet as taking her to a whole other level as an athlete.
From 2002–2004 Teter competed in seven World Cup events with four victories, at Sapporo in 2003 and 2004, Valle Nevado in 2003, and at Saas-Fee in 2004. Competing at the Winter X Games, Teter won bronze in 2003 and gold in 2004. In 2005, Teter reached the podium with a third-place finish at her first FIS World Championships, and added two more World Cup victories at Valle Nevado. Teter also earned another Winter X Games bronze in 2005. During 2005 Teter was hampered by a knee injury which required two surgeries; in her words: there was a chunk of bone that had separated and it was kind of dangling around. At the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Teter was unsure how well she would be able to perform, but she overcame adversity and won the gold medal in the halfpipe event, solidifying her status as one of the world’s best snowboarders.
Teter’s success continued in 2010 when she won the silver medal in the halfpipe event at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. She showcased her skills and style as she flew through the air, capturing the hearts of fans around the world. In addition to her Olympic achievements, Teter has also made a name for herself in the world of modeling. In 2010, she was chosen as one of the four American athletes to model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, highlighting the beauty and talent of Winter Olympians.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Teter is known for her philanthropic endeavors. She founded Hannah’s Gold, a charitable organization that supports causes such as clean water projects and children’s healthcare. Teter is also the Global Ambassador for Special Olympics, using her platform to advocate for inclusion and equal opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Her dedication to making a difference off the slopes is just as noteworthy as her achievements within the sport.
Hannah Teter’s impact on snowboarding goes beyond her individual successes. As a strong and talented woman in a predominantly male-dominated sport, she has been a role model for young girls aspiring to be professional snowboarders. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence have paved the way for future generations of female athletes. Teter’s legacy is not only defined by her medals, but also by her influence on the sport and her contributions to society.
Awards:
– Gold medal in the halfpipe at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy
– Silver medal in the halfpipe at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver
– Bronze medal at the 2005 FIS World Championships at Whistler, British Columbia
– Winner of six World Cup victories in her career.