Pioneer of the Year

Former bumper and aerialist Sarah Burke, 18, is ESPN’s Skier of the Year and a new school pioneer for women. When she competes, throwing 1080’s and back flips, she’s often the only woman in a crowd of flipping, twisting guys. “She’ll put most guys to shame,” says skiercross champ Megan Brown. “She’s opening up new doors for women.” But sometimes when you knock, nobody answers: She went to Squaw to compete in the X Games (against the men) but was told no chicks allowed. They did, at least, let her forerun the big air.