11 Year Old is a Nationally Ranked Snowboarder

by Julie Weisberg - June 7, 2001

Warm weather is upon us and, for most of us, that's good news. But, if your dream is to become a professional snowboarder, then you can't wait for those gray, December clouds to roll in again.

Your dreams are filled with "going big off the jumps," rotating a full 540 degrees and landing your board flush on the packed snow below as you glide to the finish. It's the speed, the snow, the sun and the rush of the cool air as it brushes against your red, rosy cheeks. This isn't golf. Snowboarding is a dangerous sport filled with broken ankles, ribs, wrists and legs. But the rush is electric.

So if you're Weston resident Tyler Sassano-Troy, an 11-year-old nationally ranked competitive snowboarder (whose hero is Jake Burton, the inventor of the snowboard), then all you can think about is your next competition, your next run down the mountain.

"I started skiing when I was 4, but my mom had a friend who kept sending me snowboarding
magazines," said Tyler, who began riding when he was only six years old. "When I tried snowboarding, I just got addicted to it."

Tyler was comfortable on a board from the moment he strapped one on to his feet. By the time his seventh birthday rolled around, he was regularly finishing in the top three at local competitions, and he had already secured himself a big-name sponsor. During the 1999-2000 season, Tyler began competing in the USASA/NESA Southern Vermont Series, placing first overall in the Giant Slalom and Slalom in the Championship Series that year.

Since then, Tyler has been balancing training and competing with his schooling. Currently, he is a fifth grade student at the Side-by-Side Charter School in Norwalk. This year during the Vermont Series' Championships, Tyler took home four gold medals -- two in the slalom and two in the giant slalom.

"Somewhere along the way we got caught up in all of this," said Tyler's mom, Bonnie Troy, a single mother who has her own balancing act to perform as mother, teacher, chauffeur, supporter and fan.

"There is a sense of camaraderie at the competitions. I think that that was one of the biggest things," said Ms. Troy. By the end of a week of competition, "everyone is hugging and kissing ... it's very moving."

Ms. Troy grew up in Weston, moving here in the second grade. Her parents, Walter and Bobbie Sassano, still live in town. Tyler's success has been a family affair.

"My mother has just been very helpful," said Ms. Troy, adding that Tyler's grandmother has driven him to competitions when she herself has been unable to make the trip due to her work schedule. The Sassanos have also become Tyler's biggest fans.

"They are very supportive and very proud of Tyler," said Ms. Troy.

But time is not the only burden placed on the single-parent household. Snowboarding is not only dangerous and time consuming it's expensive.

"There are the traveling expenses, the coaching fees, lift tickets, season passes, equipment, and even the food at the competitions," said Ms. Troy. "After a while it begins to add up."

This is why it is crucial for competitive snowboarders -- and most competitive athletes in general -- to gain the support of industry sponsors who help to offset the costs of training and competing. Tyler's natural ability and competitive spirit has already won him the respect and support of Burton Snowboards and Black Hill Clothing.

"Certain kids stand out above the others," said Ms. Troy. "You see the kids who stand out at the competitions, and Tyler is one of those kids."

Tyler's long-term goal is to compete in the 2006 Winter Olympics as a member of Team USA. But just like any other athlete who dreams of Olympic glory, getting there takes more than just talent -- it requires large amounts of dedication, discipline and sacrifice.

Ms. Troy said that often a coach will approach her during a competition, hoping to persuade her to allow her son to attend a snowboarding camp. But because of his age, she is careful not to push Tyler too much, wary after hearing stories of other child athletes negative experiences.

"Tyler has always wanted to do this (compete). He can come home with his ribs hurt and his ankles sore, and he is determined to get right back (on the board again)," she said. "It's a Catch-22: You want your child to succeed, but at what point, as a parent, are you pushing too much? I have to pull in my reins at times. The Olympics are a real possibility for him, but by then, all of the sudden, those priorities may change. It's all about trying to find the balance."

Last month, Tyler competed in the 2000-2001 National Snowboarding Championships held on Mammoth Mountain in California. He qualified for the Slalom, the Giant Slalom, and the Half-Pipe events. The national championships are a grueling five days of straight competition, with thousands of talented riders from around the country participating.

"You see the best of the best," said Ms. Troy. "It's very intense."

Tyler had hoped to medal at Nationals this year. But unfortunately, during his first event one of his strongest events -- the young rider missed a gate.

"I didn't know he missed the gate until after he had finished his Giant Slalom run," said Ms. Troy. "It was the first time he had missed a gate (during a race)."

Equally frustrating was the fact that the time-winning rider's run was 33 seconds, and Tyler's was only 35 seconds. It was a big disappointment, and it may have thrown him off for the rest of the competition.

"'Tyler said to me, 'Mom, I know I could have beat them.' We went through a lot of talking (that night)," said Ms. Troy. "It gets tougher and tougher each year and not everybody's going to be first."

Instead of medaling, Tyler took home with him something perhaps more important than winning: The lesson of sportsmanship --- integral to any athlete's success and longevity. The young rider was also able to gain the experience of competing against the best riders from all over the country, an amazing achievement for any 11-year-old.

In fact, the Westonite finished ninth in the Slalom competition and 15th during the Half-Pipe event.

"Tyler's coach said, 'We have these things in life that we regret and this is not one of them,' " said Ms. Troy. "Overall, it was an incredible experience for us. He should be proud of himself."

With the Nationals behind them and the summer in front of them, it's time for the two to take advantage of the extra time that the snowless summer provides. They are working on creating a videotape of Tyler, in hopes of securing further sponsorship.

During the summer, Tyler says for fun he likes to "jump off rocks and jump into pools." The young rider also works out of his Voodoo Balance Board to keep himself in shape for the winter, and he's involved in Weston's Little League this summer as well. And, Mom?

"Personally, at the end of the season, I go: 'YEAH! It's over,' and then I worry about gardening," said Ms. Troy. "During the winter, I have no life. It's consumed by Snowboarding."

Like any healthy 11-year-old boy, Tyler is active and has many interests. But, he has yet to be swayed from he path that will allow him to realize his dream of becoming a professional snowboarder. Tyler has the talent and the desire to make that dream come true.

"Last year, I tried to get him interested in golf," said Ms. Troy, "It didn't work."

Oh, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.