Bleiler Wins Big at 2008 ESPYS

PARK CITY, Utah (July 23) - Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO) took home the Best Female Action Sports Athlete award at the 2008 ESPY Awards this month. Bleiler, who dominated halfpipes everywhere during the 2008 season, was on hand in Los Angeles to accept her award.

"The ESPY is one of the biggest awards in sports and it was a huge honor to win," Bleiler said. "Justin Timberlake was the best host ever and it was a great night all around."

Bleiler's award came on the heels of one of her most successful seasons in the halfpipe. Not only did Bleiler make history as the first action sports female on the cover of ESPN Magazine, she dominated the competition, winning the opening U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix followed by a huge performance in her hometown of Aspen, CO to earn her third X Games halfpipe gold in February.

Fellow Best Female Action Sports Athlete nominee Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) and Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who was nominated for Best Female Athlete, also attended the awards.

According to Jacobellis, who's nomination followed an incredible season where the dominant snowboardcross athlete reclaimed X Games gold and won four World Cup competitions, her second time at the ESPYs was especially entertaining thanks to the comedic performance by Timberlake.

"I had a great time. It was a wonderful experience and the show was great with Justin Timberlake. I thought it was hilarious," Jacobellis said.

The night before the awards ceremony both Bleiler and Jacobellis attended a Roots concert. The next day, Jacobellis headed to Hollywood where Lucie Dougherty, the editorial director for John Paul Mitchell Systems, styled her hair.

Reigning World Cup overall and downhill champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) rolled into the ESPYs as a nominee for Best Female Athlete, the first time a skier has been given a nod for the highest female award. Also nominated in the category were Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick, LPGA Tour golfer Lorena Ochoa and WNBA basketball star Candice Parker. Though Parker won the award, Vonn says the nomination was a victory.