Hottie of the Week: December 2006

Biography
Birthdate: Aug 20th, 1975
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Residence: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 120 lbs.

Sponsors: Billabong, Vans, Von Zipper, Pro Tec Helmets, Mammoth Mountain, Campbell's Soup @ Hand, Active Ride Shop

Growing up in Laguna Hills, California, Tara was greatly involved with gymnastics and skateboarding. As a teenager, her athletic activities became more risky, from surf ing to motocross, and eventually this led her to the mountains and snow. This varied sports experience created the perfect model for a worldclass athlete. She s only 5 feet 5 inches, but on the snow, she is a supernatural being.

Tara has crossed the gender barrier that action sports holds, to rise above most men in the realm of freestyle. She is hands down the best female snowboarder in the world; she won the gold in both 2000 and 2001 X Games Big Air, and also took the gold in Slopestyle at the Sims World Championships with her technical spins, rails, and big airs. Her fans adore her, she is known to make male fans bare their chests with "Tara is my Goddess" written across them.

Tara Dakides With her good looks and photogenic smile, Tara has been seen in Rolling Stone, Maxim, FHM and the cover of Sports Illustrated for Women. She has even graced the couch of the Late Show with David Letterman, where her charismatic personality made a definite impression on Dave. She has her own trading cards and appears in video games. Along with her sponsors, she has helped created her own Billabong snow clothing line, Vans snowboard boots, and a signature snowboard with Jeenyus.

Her recent interest has taking her to the racing world. She participated in the legendary, Gumball 2003. As well as making time in her scheduled to ride motocross, shifter cars and even rally racing in Ensenada! Tara is no timid woman. Her need for adventure keeps her fans watching to see what she is up to next .

Tara spends her time between her winter house in Mammoth Lakes and hitting the surf at her beach house in Southern California.

Accomplishments
Rock Star of the Year Transworld Riders Poll Nominee - 2004
One of the Top 100 Sexiest Women in the World FHM 2004
3rd Place Vans Triple Crown Stop 2, Slopestyle 2004
Silver Medal X Games, Slopestyle 2004
3rd Place Vans Triple Crown Stop 1, Slopestyle 2003
Gold Medal Winter X Games, Slopestyle 2002
Reader s Choice 2002 Transworld Riders Poll Awards
SIA Retailers Choice 2002 Transworld Riders Poll Awards
Best Freestyle Rider 2002 Transworld Rider's Poll Awards
Best Overall Female Rider 2002 Transworld Rider's Poll Awards
1st Place Vans Triple Crown, Snow Summit, Big Air 2001
1st Place Sims World Snowboarding Championships, Slopestyle 2001
Gold Medal Winter X Games, Big Air 2001
Female Snowboarder of the Year 2001 Snowboarder Magazine
Best Female Snowboarder 2001 NEA Awards
Best Overall Female Rider 2001 Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
Best Rail Rider 2001Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
Best Freestyle Rider 2001 Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
Readers & Retailer s Choice 2001 Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
1st Place Sims World Snowboarding Championships, Big Air 2000
1st Place Sims World Snowboarding Championships, Slopestyle
2000 SI Women Cover
2nd Place US Open, Big Air 2000
Gold Medal Winter X Games, Big Air 2000
Gold Medal Winter X Games, Slopestyle 2000
Gold Medal Gravity Games, Quarterpipe 2000
Female Snowboarder of the Year 2000 Snowboarder Magazine
Best Freestyle Rider 2000 Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
Best Overall Female Rider 2000 Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
1st Place Grand Prix, Big Air 1999
Gold Medal Winter X Games, Slopestyle 1999
Silver Medal Winter X Games, Big Air 1999
Bronze Medal Summer X Games, Big Air 1999
Best Freestyle Rider 1999 Transworld Rider s Poll Awards
1st Place Vans Triple Crown, Big Air 1998
1st Place St ratton Open, Big Air 1998
2nd Place Innsbruck Air and Style, Big Air/ Quarterpipe 1999