Clair Bidez, a 22-year-old Olympic Snowboarder from Minturn, Colorado, is appearing in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue for the first time, although she already has modeled for Transworld Snowboarding, Snowboarder, and Onboard. Bidez is not actually member of the United States Olympic as she has had a disappointing season on the Snowboarding Grand Prix and Winter Dew Tour. She has, however, picked up a number of sponsors, including Nikita, Flow, Helly Hansen, and Rip It. Bidez currently resides in Vail, Colorado. She is a half-pipe boarder on the U.S. snowboarding team, but did not qualify for the Vancouver Olympics. Her younger brother, Dylan, also competes on the American snowboarding team. Bidez is one of four three skiers to appear in the swimsuit issue, as she is joined by Lindsey Vonn, Hannah Teter, and Lacy Schnoor. Born on August 7, 1987, Bidez is 5-2 and a svelte 110 pounds. Her specialty is the halfpipe.She was slowed last year due to a broken right heel, but qualified for the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix final, finishing eighth. She has been a participant in snowboarding since she was nine years old and turned professional in 2004. She is single. Bidez says she likes dancing, music, sushi and Led Zeppelin, and is learning how to play the guitar.http://skiing.teamusa. org/athletes/clair-bidez

Bidez was photographed by Warwick Saint in Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was actually photographed months before the release of the Sports Illustrated, but was told to keep in a secret. she first learned about the possibility of being a model for the swimsuit issue. through one of her sponsors. The photos were taken in July, when there was still snow at the highest elevations. http://www.vaildaily.com/ article/20100210/NEWS/100219935/1078&parentprofile=1062