SPC Ryan McDonald
An intimidating rider, Washington’s SPC Ryan McDonald is naturally fast. He scored his first major podium with a second place finish in the Chevy Truck U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix in Park City, UT in 2003. That same year, he scored the best World Cup performance of his career with a sixth place finish at the opener in Chile. SPC McDonald also races snowboard cross, but keeps his focus on Alpine boarding, with the Gates & Wakes competition as his first love.
A long-time skier, SPC McDonald worked as a ski instructor when he was just 14. He taught skiing for five years before picking up snowboarding as a way to make extra money. After attending his first race, SPC McDonald was hooked on snowboarding competition. To feed his love for speed, he helped start the Mission Ridge Snowboard Team. SPC McDonald has been racing ever since.
SPC McDonald served for several years with the U.S. Army Reserves before signing with the Washington Army National Guard, where he represents his state and his country in both national and international snowboarding events.
Noteworthy
• Four-time champion of Alaskan Artic Man competition
• Finished fourth at Canada Olympic Park during the 2007 Snowboard Season
• Three podiums on 2006 North American Alpine Snowboarding Tour
• Second in parallel giant slalom at the 2004 U.S. Nationals
• Eighth in parallel slalom (PSL) at the 2003 Valle Nevado World Cup
• Second at the 2003 Park City Grand Prix
• Eighth at the 2003 World Championship PSL
• 1998 Junior National champion
• Member of the Washington Army National Guard
In Their Own Words
“I’m kind of a thrill seeker. New ventures are always fun, it’s OK to fall on your face every now and again
as long as you can get back up.”
Contact your local recruiter for more information.
