Alaska is not for the faint of heart. It’s huge. It’s wild. It’s a right of passage for snowboarders looking to up their level of riding and earn the respect of their peers. Check out the feature film “Lines” starring DC’s Travis Rice (DC Status Boa) and learn what it takes mentally and physically to approach a big mountain line that hasn’t been hit or at least hasn’t been ridden to it’s full potential. This is big mountain snowboarding at its gnarliest and the Boa Lacing System is up for the challenge. Dial it in!

It is often said that the first championship is the easiest. Every championship after that gets increasingly difficult. After all, it’s tough to get away from the pack when you have a target on your back.

Boa President Mark Soderberg hangs on tight to win his second MTB National Championship. Photo by VAST Action, LLC.

Apparently, Boa Technology President Mark Soderberg did not get the memo before he headed to the 2010 National Mountain Bike Championships, held at Sol Vista, Colorado, the weekend of July 17.

Soderberg, who finished second in the 2008 55-59 Masters National Championship before breaking through for the win last year, came to the race with a bagful of cautious optimism. As he dialed in his Specialized S-Works shoes featuring the Boa Lacing System, he surveyed the competitive field, undoubtedly trying to keep him in their sights. “It all depends on who shows up,” he had said days earlier, when asked if he liked his chances. After all was said and done, one thing was clear: Soderberg certainly showed up. Thing is, so did Gary Thacker of Boulder, Colorado, who had already finished ahead of Soderberg twice this season.

The race consisted of two 8.94-mile laps, each with roughly 1,750 feet of high-altitude climbing on dirt roads and singletrack. Through the lower parts of the climb on the first lap, Soderberg was tailed closely by Thacker. When the climb eased up a bit, Thacker moved ahead briefly. It appeared Soderberg was in for a dogfight.

But Soderberg, a tenacious climber, put the hammer down on the next uphill section. Before long, on a series of rock-strewn switchbacks, he glanced downward and realized he was alone. From there, he shifted his focus to not getting overly excited, dehydrated, or, worst of all, lost.

On the second lap, Soderberg didn’t see Thacker. “I was determined to NOT see him,” he says. “I was scared to death that he was going to catch me.”

In the end, Soderberg’s effort earned him a time of 1:58:43 and his second straight national championship medal. Thacker held for second, with a time of 2:02:09. Afterward, Thacker gave Soderberg a “Competitor’s Hug” and said, “It’s good to keep it in Colorado.”

There’s something to say about dedication and making it as a pro rider in the snowboard world. It takes hours of practice time in the park…riding…ripping…and doing tons of powerslides in the summer dirt with friends!. Check out Boa Lacing System team rider, Skylar Thornton (K2 Darko Boa) and friends getting their shred on at Mt. Hood during a dialed in summer sun and slush session!

Skylar Thornton & Friends From K2 Shred Mt. Hood from Sam Tuor on Vimeo.

From Gearpatrol.com
Recognized as the #1 shoe in golf, FootJoy has been a long-time industry leader in terms of performance and comfort. With the recent departure of the tremendously popular FootJoy Classic and the introduction of their new flagship model, the FootJoy ICON undoubtedly has some pretty big shoes to fill.

Heritage inspired, the FootJoy ICON combines contemporary styling, classic top-notch full grain leather and calfskin detailing, and an advanced lacing system. For those of you not familiar with Boa, the Boa Lacing System is designed to address deficiencies found with laces, buckles, ratchets, and Velcro by providing a reel and steel lace cable network that allows you to dial in a precise and consistent non-slip fit. Read the rest of the story by clicking HERE.

“You can really dial in the exact tightness you want at the start of the run, ” said one tester, “and make micro-adjustments easily midrun.” Outside Magazine’s August Issue

Personally I think full body contact makes the Tour a little more interesting. I’m kidding of course. You decide for yourself. Should Mark Renshaw have been tossed from the Tour for headbutting Julian Dean?

The good news: Saxo’s Andy Shcleck (Specialized BG S-Works with Boa S1) maintained his 00:41 cushion over Alberto Contador and will wear the Yellow jersey another day!

It’s turning out to be a great first half of the Tour for the Boa Lacing System. Saxo Bank’s Andy Schleck (Specialized BG S-Works with Boa S1) easily retained his yellow jersey as Sergio Paulinho (Team RadioShack) won a tame but very hot stage 10 of the 2010 Tour de France.

With 9 stages down at the 2010 Tour de France, we can’t help but pat ourselves on the back and brag just a little. The Boa Lacing System has spent six days in Yellow (Fabian Cancellara – 5, Andy Schleck – 1) both wearing the Specialized BG S-Works shoe with Boa S1 technology.

Catch up and read the highlights from today’s action at VeloNews.com

Saxo's Andy Schleck Eyes the Yellow jersey during Stage 9 of the Tour de France

Orginally published on VeloNews.com

The list of contenders for the 2010 Tour De France overall win got whittled down just a bit on Sunday, as Saxo Bank’s Andy Schleck (Specialized BG S-Works with Boa S1) won the year’s first mountaintop finish. Schleck popped out of an elite group that was missing just one pre-race favorite — Lance Armstrong. Neither Cadel Evans nor Alberto Contador could match Schleck’s finish attack, but Evans, who started the day 30 seconds ahead of Schleck, took over the yellow jersey from overnight leader Sylvain Chavanel. Read the rest of the story HERE.

Knowing his days are numbered in Yellow, Saxo Bank’s Fabian Cancellara (Specialized BG S-Works Boa S1) reacted with an expression of reality when speaking to the media after Thursday’s Stage 5 of the Tour De France. “The mountains are coming so I know it will be over for me,” Cancellara said at the line in Montargis. “We are enjoying these days. We do what we have to do in these flat stages. We have other ambitions with Andy (Schleck). We have to be ready in the mountains and play our tactics, and put Andy at the highest level.”

Read the rest of the story at VeloNews.com

Stage 5, Tour de France: O’Grady and the Saxo Bank crew work to keep the break’s advantage to a minimum. Photo: Graham Watson – GrahamWatson.com