Talk about a culture clash: Take a ranching pro snowboarder from Ten Sleep, Wyoming (pop. 304) and drop him off at Wimbledon, the world's premier tennis tournament-next to Justin Timberlake, center court, to watch Venus Williams and Andy Roddick make their way through the third round. That's what last week looked like for famously low-key pro rider, Mark Carter, 29.
Now normally, a cry of "One: Love" would elicit a cowboy-straight answer from Carter: "Mountains." But, along with his second-place
finish at the inaugural Natural Selection Invitational in '08 and film parts in "That's It, That's All," Absinthe's new
"Neverland" and "The Bluebird Movie," Carter's always open to new experiences: "We had amazing seats at center court," he
said. "Luckily, I sat next to Justin and he could kinda explain the whole tennis thing... Justin knows his tennis for sure."
Clearly, culture clash is nothing new to Carter, who spends his winters in Jackson Hole representing companies like The North Face and Smith Optics on his new pro model board. As soon as the tram slows down, though, it's back to central Wyoming to work with brother R.C. as a hunting guide for Bighorn Adventure and help out with the family ranch. When we spoke to him he said, "We're about to start our yearlings to the mountain this evening"-whatever that means.
Read on and get it straight from this horseman's mouth:
So how the heck did you come to be at Wimbledon with Justin Timberlake?
It all started with my girl Rachael [ed. Yarbrough, JT's personal assistant/photographer]. First off, I just want to say she's pretty brave taking a country boy into high society. She had some work to do over there and asked me to come along. A break from the ranch sounded pretty good. We had a day off in London and had tickets to Wimbledon. I didn't know a thing about tennis but was super excited to check it out. Rolling with that crew was first class treatment all the way. I mean, hanging out in the player lounge eating strawberries and cream did not suck!
We had amazing seats at center court. Luckily, I sat next to Justin and he could kinda explain the whole tennis thing to Trace [ed. Ayala, JT's good friend and business partner] and I. Justin knows his tennis, for sure. Venus [Williams] was the first match we watched, she destroyed her opponent [That would be Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, defeating her 6-0,6-4]. Then [Andy] Roddick blew my mind with how much power he had behind each swing. He defeated [Jurgen] Melzer in a heavy battle [Roddick vs. Melzer: 7-6(2), 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3 -- Both Williams and Roddick would advance to the final title match, Venus losing to her sister Serena and Roddick to Federer].
It was pretty sick hanging at Wimbledon with that crew. They should start taking credit cards at the beer stands though...
Can you safely say that you were the only person in attendance who ropes cattle for a living?
I was definitely the only rancher in attendance, for sure. Trace [Ayala] is a roping sum bitch and pretty country, too, though. He might have even been a little more uncensored than me at times! We left before he was able to rope anyone.
Have you ever been snowboarding with JT? And can he keep up to you and Travis [Rice]?
I have yet to shred with Justin, but I've been told he can hang. With moves like he has it probably wouldn't take long before he had his own pro model. Jackson Hole this winter!
We heard you lost your voice singing with Guy Ritchie...
One of the highlights, for sure, would have been hanging at Guy's pub dinking my new favorite thing: cider. It was such a sweet little place with an awesome Irish band. Guy was one of the most down-to-earth people I have ever met. Best pub I've been in, easy. Everyone was super cool. I never felt uncomfortable at all... It was just like chilling with my bros.
Tell us about your new pro model snowboard coming out... Is it going to have a tennis racquet graphic on it now?
The tennis was cool but I'm gonna stick to ranching. I'm super stoked to have a company like Weekend Snowboards backing my program. Mike Parillo and Bryan Iguchi are doing the art for my board and it is an honor to have such legends doing my first board. It's gonna be Cowboy Country meets Snowboarding-with some style. Sizes will be 154cm, 158cm, and a 160cm backcountry destroyer.
How does it feel getting your own pro model? It seems like your star is definitely on the rise...
Kinda crazy looking back where I came from to where I am now. I never thought I would have my own board and all the amazing experiences I have had in snowboarding. Growing up on a ranch makes me appreciate everything I receive. Never forget the roots!
Any other thoughts on the great experience you just had in Europe with JT?
I can't thank Rachael and Justin enough for the amazing world they introduced me to. Trace: Talking about roping and drinking definitely gave a country vibe to things. You are all always welcome on the ranch.
there's a picture of them here
http://espn.go.com/action/news/story?id=4310003
