Staff report
Lauren Anderson has been to the 2014 Pyeongchang Olympics and the 2018 Sochi Olympics, where she watched her daughter Jamie Anderson nab two gold medals and one silver, but Anderson will have to watch the 2022 Olympics on her couch in Hartland.
“It’s weird what is happening in the world,” Anderson said. “I would go if I was allowed to.”
Anderson is the mother of Jamie Anderson, the dominant snowboard Slopestyle competitor. No spectators are allowed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics due to Covid-19 protocols, but Anderson said Covid isn’t getting her daughter down. “She tries to always stay in the positive and the high vibe.” Anderson said.
Jamie, 31, is in China, looking for her third gold medal on Feb. 5. Jamie won an Olympic gold in Slopestyle and an Olympic silver medal in Big Air in Pyeongchang in 2014. She won gold in Slopestyle in Sochi in 2018.
Anderson, who doesn’t snowboard, moved from California to Vermont seven years ago to be closer to her aging parents in Connecticut and chase her dream of owning a farm.
Anderson now owns an alpaca farm in Hartland called Weaving Dreams Farm, where she also runs an Airbnb and gift shop.
Jamie, who was homeschooled with her eight siblings in California, started snowboarding at age 9.
Anderson said Jamie spent all day at Sierra at Tahoe with her siblings growing up. In 2006, Jamie became the youngest Winter X-Games medalist when she won bronze at the age of 15.
Jamie won her first X-Games gold medal in Slopestyle a year later, while her older sister Joanie won an X-Games medal in Snowboard Cross at the same time.
Jamie’s career has risen since then. Just before going to the Olympics, she became the most decorated woman in X-Games history, earning her 20th medal, a silver, Jan. 22-23 in Aspen, Colorado.
“She really amazes me, what she does,” Anderson said.
Anderson had simple advice for her daughter as she gets ready for China.
“Have a wonderful adventure and don’t worry about a thing,” Anderson said.