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| Charlotte
Dutton is unique |
Charlotte
a native of Ealing, west London has carved out an impressive
place for herself in two high profile worlds. Charlotte
mixes being a pro snowboarder and coach, with being a high
profile London fashion model.
Perhaps the best place to watch Charlotte in action is to see
her launch herself off some of Europe and America's highest
mountaintops and commit to some spectacular high-speed jumps.
A specialist Half-Pipe rider, who has also competed across
all boarding disciplines, including Border X, Charlotte takes
the toughest challenges in her stride.
If however, you want to catch her in the summer months you
are likely to have to attend fashion shoots in London, Paris
or Milan.
She began snowboarding at the age of 11 on a family skiing
holiday, and after that she took every chance she could to
practice her skills. She made rapid progress through the ranks
of UK boarders and at the age of 16, during the Junior World
Championships in Japan, she was spotted by the legendary US
snowboard coach Scott Palmer, who offered her the rare opportunity
to attend the famous Stratton Mountain School in Vermont -
she jumped at the chance.
The coach's eye and Charlotte's hard work were rewarded later
that year, when Charlotte became the first Brit ever to win
prize money at the US Open. The following season at the Junior
World Championships, against more experienced opponents, Charlotte
achieved 4th place in the half-pipe, the best ever placing
for a British athlete. Also that year she won the British Junior
Championships in Half-Pipe, Border X and Giant Slalom, as well
as finishing second in the British Seniors Championship.
Charlotte won the US National Junior Slalom, represented Britain
for 5 seasons, competed on three World Cup Tours and pulled
off numerous race and competition wins. Despite her slight
frame she has developed a reputation as a fast and fearless
competitor.
Her standing in the sport is reflected by the strength of her
personal sponsors, Volcom (clothing),
Palmer
Snowboards, Drake (bindings)
and Northwave (boots).
She began modelling after a chance meeting in a London street
and soon became the face of a year long Vidal Sassoon campaign.
Since then, she has appeared on dozens of magazine covers,
and has worked for the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier and Dolce Gabbana, fronted
campaigns for TopShop, Diesel, Samsung, O'Neill, Tiret and Pretty Polly amongst
others, as well as continuing to compete at the highest level
in her chosen sport.
Charlotte has also sat for David Bailey as a subjest for one
of his recent book and has also been photographed by Rankin
and Tesh.
Perhaps though, the thing that surprises you most when you
meet Charlotte, is that she is unaffected by the trappings
of being a professional athlete and top-flight model. She is
refreshingly down- to-earth, approachable, and easy going.
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