Champion snowboarder Chloe Kim from Torrance, California, is finally old enough to compete in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, but first she will be recognized as Athlete of the Year at Kore Asian Media’s 16th Unforgettable gala, presented by BMW, on Dec. 9, 2017.
Kim was introduced to snowboarding at the age of 4 by her father, but her quick progression in the sport soon saw her snowboarding circles around him. Now a three-time X Games gold medalist, Kim is one of the world’s preeminent female snowboarders when it comes to the halfpipe, and is especially known for her consistency in landing difficult tricks.
Fans and critics alike praise Kim not only for her technical skill, but for her ability to execute her routines with style and swagger. At the Park City Grand Prix in 2016, Kim became the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s in a halfpipe contest.
The 17-year-old will be joining Team USA at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and is already pegged the favorite for gold. Should Kim find herself on the podium, she will knock out 2002 Olympian Kelly Clark as the youngest American to win an Olympic medal in snowboarding.
Watch Chloe Kim make history at the Park City Grand Prix with her 2016 halfpipe routine, which earned a perfect score:
As the presenting partner of the 2017 Unforgettable Gala, BMW of North America continues its longstanding commitment to celebrating diversity.The gala is also supported by gold sponsors Private Internet Access and Pechanga Resort & Casino, along with silver sponsor M&L Hong Foundation. A teaser for the film “Beats of Paradise,” which showcases the rhythmic beauty of gamelan, or traditional Indonesian music, and its influence on Balinese culture, directed by Livi Zheng and executive produced by Julia Gouw, will officially launch at the Unforgettable Gala.
