If you made a Venn diagram with one circle titled, “Professional snowboarders from Great Britain” and the other, “Started Snowboarding at 18,” you’d pretty much assume that the intersection would be empty. But you’d actually be wrong; there’s one person that fits both criteria – Jenny Jones.
Strapping on a snowboard for the first time on the dry slopes in England, Jones quickly progressed and was doing jumps within days of taking up the sport. Jones’ rapid progression was aided by her background as a competitive gymnast, and it only took her a year to win her first British snowboarding title and two more to win on an international stage.
Known for her smooth style and getting big amplitude on every hit, Jones claimed second overall in the TTR World Snowboarding Tour rankings in 2006, going on to finish in the top 10 the following two years as well – helped in large part by podium finishes at the Grand Prix, Roxy Chicken Jam and the Burton US, New Zealand and European Opens.
Continuing on her hot streak, Jones earned a bid to her first X Games, taking fourth in her ’08 debut. However, 2009 was a different story, and, after landing a couple of 360s, a 540 and a monster frontside 720 over the 80-foot gap – the only woman to land the trick in the contest – Jones walked away with her first gold medal. Winning back-to-back gold with another victory in 2010, Jones also claimed another gold at X Games Europe the same season.
Also finishing in the top three each of the first two years of the Winter Dew Tour, Jones was tapped as Loaded magazine’s 100 Hottest Women – coming in at No. 58 on the list.
