So DNA hooked me up with some ads this year and a chance to report on... well... myself and my skiing.
This year's DNA ads were actually shot when I had a torn ACL; I went in for surgery less than a week later. So when DNA called me up to shoot some adds I though "well, I don't have an ACL, I sure as hell can't ski or jump right now". DNA had other stuff in mind. They set me up in front of their traveling urban rail set up (which graced many cities with its presence during the summer of 07). I just sort of hobbled around in front of the thing and tried to look 'cool' for the camera with the guidance of some photographers.
Shooting an ad like this was almost harder than getting an action shot. I am better at skiing than I am at posing for the camera with a planned facial expression. But it was a new experience and a lot of fun. Spriggs was there, having just finished his ad shoot that morning. He provided some shit-talking other forms of entertainment while we shot and re-shot and re-shot the same photo with minor differences.
The DNA gear I am wearing in the photo includes my trusty Moe jacket. That specific jacket I was wearing made it through a sick season; face shots and snowmobile days in Breckenridge and throughout Summit County, a podium at the US Open, a trip to Laax, Switzerland, a L1P shoot in Montana... the list goes on. I even tore my ACL wearing that thing... lasted longer than I did.
Those pants I am wearing come from the DNA spring line. DNA threw it down and released a line of gear for off-hill stuff. This collection includes pants, shirts, canvas jackets, and button-downs. Finally DNA riders don't have to buy any clothing, woohoo, except for boxers... idea?
This whole shoot took place in May, a little more than three months ago. Now I am kicking at my parents' place in Boston, MA (the Red Sox are KILLING it this year!). I am here rehabbing the shit out of my new ACL. Though I am not shredding this summer I am still super excited because my recovery couldn't be going any better. I started doing some running and lots of agility stuff earlier this month and I feel great. In another month I can hop on my mountain back and get back into the outdoors. Then by December I will be back on skis. As anybody who has been injured knows, not skiing sucks. So I am pretty excited about the upcoming season.
NAME: Matt Philippi
HOMETOWN: Charlestown, MA
RESORT: Breckenridge, CO
SPONSORS: DNA, Volkl/Tecnica, Level Gloves, Spy Goggles
DNA OUTFIT OF CHOICE: Dr. Julius Hibbert Jacket, Cake Pants
SKIING DISCIPLINE: Half-pipe, Slopestyle
YEARS ON SNOW: I don't know.... most of them
ON YOUR IPOD: Sizzla, Gorillaz, Lyricson
FAVORITE MOVIE: Big Labowski, Royalty
SCREAMIN' SEMEN OR CORK 5: Cork 5
CHUCK NORRIS OR BRUCE LEE: Bruce Lee
WHOPPER WITH OR WITHOUT CHEESE: With cheese, no mayo
245 WITH OR WITHOUT A PARACHUTE: With parachute, though I think death is inevitable in either situation.
IN THE SUMMER I...: Surf, skate, and go to college... and ski. I am going to school at Colorado College for six weeks of summer classes. I will entertain myself with homework, mountain biking, and skateboarding. Then I plan to go on a road trip: First stop is Park City, Utah for a week of water ramp training. Then I continue westward to Mt. Hood, where I will ski for a month. I will return to Colorado in September to start class. If there is free time available, I will try to go surfing.
TRICK OF CHOICE: Switch 720
TRICK OF CHOICE (NOT SKI RELATED): I can only do ski tricks
DNA MAKES ME....: Happy... and warm and dry.
HEROES: David Ortiz (Red Sox)
I WOULD LOVE TO MEET.....: The Dalai Lama
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
7th X-games, 2nd Us Open, 1st Aspen/Snowmass Open, 4th Ski Tour Sun Valley, 5th Ski Tour Breckenridge, Film segment in REAL TIME with Level1 Productions
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