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Action hero: Kevin O'Meara |
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Written by Paul Raymore
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Tuesday, 20 March 2007 |
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Action Hero
Name: Kevin O’Meara
Age: 27
 Occupation: Dreams of building skis and skiing for a living, but currently works at the Resort at Squaw Creek and lives the ski bum lifestyle.
Hometown: Grew up in Vermont. Now lives in Alpine Meadows.
He’s an action hero because: He just won the Tobias Lee Memorial Sickbird award at the Subaru Squaw Valley USA Freeskiing Open in February. The Sickbird award is presented to the competitor with the most spirited competition run, often involving super-human talent and agility.
The Tahoe World’s Paul Raymore had the chance to speak with O’Meara by phone last week to find out a bit more about what makes a Sickbird winner tick. O’Meara is now off competing in stop #3 of the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series at Snowbird, Utah, where he hopes to land on the podium this time.
Competing since?
Squaw was his third freeskiing competition ever. He started competing last year after watching many of his friends compete the year before.
Sponsors?
Praxis skis (a company that includes his best friend, his cousin and himself), Scott USA (poles & goggles), Predator Wear, and Brian O’Meara Builders.
Home mountain?
Squaw Valley
 Favorite run/area at Squaw?
KT-22 — Eagle’s Nest to Main Air in the Fingers was his most epic run ever on a good day.
Listen to music while skiing? If so, who?
Only when he’s skiing alone. He mixes it up with punk for big mountain lines, hip-hop for park, or whatever else he’s feeling at the time.
How important is winning the Sickbird award at the Squaw comp?
“I didn’t know Toby well, but I had the chance to know him. When he passed, I saw a lot of emotion out of people; he really touched a lot of people. So for me to bring that home in front of all these people who were good friends with him really meant a lot.
“I got really emotional... I had a big hug with Eli, his brother, after I got the award, and it was tears from there.
“I was glad to keep it at Squaw. And it’s like being an alumni — there are a very small group of people who have the Sickbird award. So I’m glad I got my wings and I’m going to carry it and be proud of it.”
How did you get to this point in your ski career?
Kevin’s parents had him on skis when he was a mere 18 months old. He can still remember strapping into the miniature strap bindings with his Sorrels. He carried on from there: Raced in high school, moved to Tahoe for college with other skier friends at Sierra Nevada College, and never decided to leave after graduating.
 Ski goals for the year ahead?
“I really want to get on the podium for one of these [freeride] events I’m competing in. And I’ve got three chances left. I think my odds are pretty good as long as I stay on my feet.
“That’s the goal — not only one [podium], but hopefully a couple. I’m definitely setting the goal high, but that’s part of the sport for me at this point.”
Anything you want to add?
“I couldn’t have done it without all of the ripping skiers who have been my riding partners for all my life. And there are a lot of them — too many to name.”
Photos (top to bottom):
• O'Meara in action. (photo courtesy of Kevin O'Meara)
• O'Meara polishes his Sickbird belt buckle. (photo by Ryan Salm)
• Even sledding looks extreme when it's done with a Sickbird buckle. (photo by Ryan Salm)
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 March 2007 )
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