Turin, Italy 2006 Winter Olympic Games

Highlights
Born in South Korea but raised by adoptive parents in the mountains of Colorado, Toby Dawson's background is not your garden-variety upbringing. The reality is he was on skis early and, as he has said, "I like to give people a show" with his skiing. "Awesome Dawson" has won at every major level - World Championships, World Cup (starting with fifth in his debut contest in '99), U.S. championships - except one...but he hopes to correct that oversight in February.

Update
Dawson saved the best for last a year ago, winning gold in dual moguls on the final day of the 2005 World Championships in Finland. It was a major pick-me-up at the end of a frustrating season. In 2004, Dawson had sizzled with three wins and four other World Cup podiums. Last January, three days after winning in Mont Tremblant, he broke his right foot during dryland training. He made a speedy recovery, coming back in 10 days to finish third at Deer Valley. He powered through to the end of the season with less-than-Dawsonian results - until Worlds when he captured the duals championship. Looking to reach his first Olympics, a healthy Dawson expects to have a new trick or two.

Start-Up
Born in South Korea, Dawson was adopted at 3 by Vail ski instructors and was skiing at 4. He raced alpine at 6, shifted to freestyle at 12. Quietly confident, he was fifth in his World Cup debut. “I like to go big and jolt the crowd,” he said.

Injuries
2005 - Broke right foot in dryland training (volleyball) in Lake Placid, but returned 10 days later. 2004 " Broke his fibula while competing in a World Cup halfpipe event on the eve of World Cup finals (March 9; Italy).

Personal
“Awesome” Dawson...Wears lucky boxers in competition...Enjoys dirtbiking, fishing, golfing and surfing. During his downtime, Dawson donates his time to the Korean Heritage Camp for Adoptive Families which teaches an appreciation of the Korean culture. His gravity-defying exploits caught the eye of filmmaker Warren Miller, who asked Dawson to be in four of his famous ski movies: “Ride,” “Cold Fusion,” “Storm” and most recently, “Journey.” In Summer 2005, Dawson shot a commercial for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal... His favorite food is Korean BBQ and he listens to rap and hip hop.