Kelly Clark facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kelly Clark

Clark in 2014
Personal information
Born	(1983-07-26) July 26, 1983 (age 42) Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Occupation	Professional snowboarder
Spouse(s)	Marcus Hemington (m. 2023)
Medal record Women's Snowboarding Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2002 Salt Lake City Halfpipe Bronze 2010 Vancouver Halfpipe Bronze 2014 Sochi Halfpipe Winter Dew Tour Gold 2008-2009 Winter Dew Tour Superpipe Silver 2008 Breckenridge Superpipe Silver 2009 Mt. Snow Superpipe Silver 2009 Northstar-at-Tahoe Superpipe Winter X Games Gold 2002 Aspen Superpipe Gold 2006 Aspen Superpipe Gold 2011 Aspen Superpipe Gold 2012 Aspen Superpipe Gold 2013 Aspen Superpipe Gold 2013 Tignes Superpipe Gold 2014 Aspen Superpipe Silver 2003 Aspen Superpipe Silver 2004 Aspen Superpipe Silver 2009 Aspen Superpipe Silver 2010 Aspen Superpipe Silver 2015 Aspen Superpipe Silver 2016 Oslo Superpipe Bronze 2008 Aspen Superpipe New Zealand Winter Games Gold 2013 Cardrona Halfpipe

Kelly Clark (born July 26, 1983) is a famous American snowboarder. She is best known for winning a gold medal in the halfpipe event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Clark was born in Newport, Rhode Island. She fell in love with snowboarding at just 7 years old. By 1999, she was competing professionally, and in 2000, she joined the official U.S. Snowboard team. After an amazing career, she announced her retirement on January 25, 2019, at the Winter X Games.

A Champion's Journey

Kelly Clark trained hard at Mount Snow Academy in Vermont to become a top snowboarder. She graduated in 2001, ready to take on the world.

Olympic Glory

Her hard work paid off quickly. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Clark won the gold medal in the women's halfpipe. A halfpipe is a U-shaped ramp made of snow that snowboarders use to perform amazing tricks in the air.

She returned to the Olympics in 2006 and finished in fourth place. In the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, she earned a bronze medal, sharing the podium with fellow American Hannah Teter. At the 2014 Sochi games, she won another bronze medal, showing she was one of the best for over a decade.

Dominating the Sport

Besides the Olympics, Clark was a star on the TTR World Tour. During the 2007-2008 season, she stood on the winner's podium eight times in twelve contests. The next season, she was crowned the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.

Clark is a Christian and often shares how her faith has guided her. She even has a sticker on her snowboard that says, "Jesus, I cannot hide my love." In 2017, she wrote a book called Inspired, where she talks about her life and faith.

Personal Life

Clark married Marcus Hemington in March 2023. In May 2024, they welcomed their daughter, Josephine. When she's not competing, Clark is based in Mammoth Lakes, California.

Major Career Wins

Clark performing a trick in 2010

Kelly Clark has won many awards and competitions throughout her career. In 2015, she won the Best Female Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award, a major honor in sports.

Here are some of her biggest victories:

• Winter X Games: She won many gold medals in the Superpipe event, which is like a bigger, more challenging halfpipe.
• Winter Dew Tour: She won the overall championship, called the Dew Cup, in 2009.
• Burton World Opens: She won first place at major events in the U.S. and New Zealand.
• Grand Prix Events: She often finished in first or second place at these important competitions.

See also

In Spanish: Kelly Clark para niños

• List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games
• Mount Snow