News
ENLARGE
EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — The Vail Valley isn't known for its beaches, but a pair of its athletes have landed some pages in a winter classic — the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn, 25, and local snowboarder Clair Bidez, 22 are both featured in various combinations of jackets, ski/snowboard gear and bikinis in this year's issue. The Vail Valley pair is joined by snowboarder Hannah Teter and aerial skier Lacy Schnoor.
Vonn and Bidez were both photographed by Warwick Saint in Whistler several weeks ago.
Both were occupied Tuesday with parties to unveil the magazine, and were hard to contact. But Bidez's mom and brother were happy to talk.
Patty Bidez was on hand for the photo shoot, but sworn to secrecy until she sent out a blast e-mail Tuesday, the day the issue hit the stands.
“The people were fantastic,” Patty Bidez said. “I think it's great, and they're great pictures, but (Clair's dad) Earle's jaw dropped when he first saw them. But now even grandpa's happy.”
Bidez was featured as an Olympic athlete, although an injury kept her off the team headed to Vancouver for the winter games. Vonn, of course, is rapidly earning a reputation as perhaps the best female skier this country has ever produced.
Vonn, who used to be Lindsey Kildow before marrying Thomas Vonn a few years ago. She's back in Vail now, thanks to a promotional deal with Vail Resorts.
Bidez now lives in Breckenridge, but still calls Minturn home.
Bidez's younger brother, Dylan, went to elementary school with Vonn's younger sister, Laura Kildow. Dylan Bidez, who's snowboarding on the Dew Tour this winter, said he got an e-mail from his old school friend Tuesday.
“She e-mailed me that it's Kildow vs. Bidez again,” he said.
Dylan Bidez said he's proud of his big sister.
“It's a big step — it gets you a lot of publicity,” he said.
Asked if he'd seen the photos on-line, he replied the way a little brother should: “I looked at about three (photos), and I'd seen enough,” he said.
Business Editor Scott N. Miller can be reached at 970-748-2930 or smiller@vaildaily.com.
World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn, 25, and local snowboarder Clair Bidez, 22 are both featured in various combinations of jackets, ski/snowboard gear and bikinis in this year's issue. The Vail Valley pair is joined by snowboarder Hannah Teter and aerial skier Lacy Schnoor.
Vonn and Bidez were both photographed by Warwick Saint in Whistler several weeks ago.
Both were occupied Tuesday with parties to unveil the magazine, and were hard to contact. But Bidez's mom and brother were happy to talk.
Patty Bidez was on hand for the photo shoot, but sworn to secrecy until she sent out a blast e-mail Tuesday, the day the issue hit the stands.
“The people were fantastic,” Patty Bidez said. “I think it's great, and they're great pictures, but (Clair's dad) Earle's jaw dropped when he first saw them. But now even grandpa's happy.”
Bidez was featured as an Olympic athlete, although an injury kept her off the team headed to Vancouver for the winter games. Vonn, of course, is rapidly earning a reputation as perhaps the best female skier this country has ever produced.
Vonn, who used to be Lindsey Kildow before marrying Thomas Vonn a few years ago. She's back in Vail now, thanks to a promotional deal with Vail Resorts.
Bidez now lives in Breckenridge, but still calls Minturn home.
Bidez's younger brother, Dylan, went to elementary school with Vonn's younger sister, Laura Kildow. Dylan Bidez, who's snowboarding on the Dew Tour this winter, said he got an e-mail from his old school friend Tuesday.
“She e-mailed me that it's Kildow vs. Bidez again,” he said.
Dylan Bidez said he's proud of his big sister.
“It's a big step — it gets you a lot of publicity,” he said.
Asked if he'd seen the photos on-line, he replied the way a little brother should: “I looked at about three (photos), and I'd seen enough,” he said.
Business Editor Scott N. Miller can be reached at 970-748-2930 or smiller@vaildaily.com.
