Tyler Jewell's Spot On U.S. Olympic Team Is Confirmed

DENVER (January 27, 2006) - Following a 9 hour arbitration in Denver on Thursday, the arbitrator issued a decision today, confirming that Tyler Jewell will represent the United States in alpine snowboarding at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy.

The arbitrator's Award affirmed the selection made by the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). Jewell will compete in the Parallel Giant Slalom event at the Winter Olympic Games. He was represented in the arbitration by Jane Michaels of Holland & Hart.

On January 23, fellow athlete Chris Klug challenged Jewell's nomination and initiated an arbitration proceeding. The hearing was scheduled on an expedited basis because the U.S. Olympic Committee is required to submit its final team roster to the International Olympic Committee by Monday, January 30, 2006.

Holland & Hart attorneys Jane Michaels, Jonathan Bender, and Ryan Bergsieker had three days to prepare for the full-day arbitration hearing. The firm was notified by the American Arbitration Association today that the arbitrator had confirmed Jewell's spot on the Olympic team.

"Tyler Jewell is an exceptional athlete and an extraordinary young man," commented his attorney, Jane Michaels. "He is humble, down-to-earth and has worked tirelessly to improve his performance, enduring financial hardships along the way, to earn a spot on the Olympic team. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to represent his country at the Olympic Games."

Jewell loved snowboarding as a child but had never taken a lesson. It wasn't until after he graduated from college in 1999 that he decided to pursue his dream to become a world class snowboarder and an Olympic athlete.