After injury, Saugus snowboarder seeks Olympic backing

SAUGUS – Saugus native Jonathan Cheever is used to traveling the world to compete in international snowboarding competitions.In 2011, Cheever, a member of the U.S. National Snowboarding Team, took first in the country and third in the world in the snowboard cross event.However, a recent injury has sidelined Cheever, who is now looking to pick up some sponsors to supplement his lost income.?Last season I had some solid results,” said Cheever, who is a plumber by trade. “I was fourth in the world and then I tore my Achilles tendon before the last two races.”Cheever, 27, suffered the injury on March 1 and had surgery on March 2 in Austria. He said he hit a “little bump” while going just 5 mph and landed a “little heavy.”?It just ruptured,” said Cheever. ” ? I thought my binding broke at first because I felt some instability. I looked down and my binding wasn?t broken ? my calf rolled up to the back of my knee.”Cheever, who is currently living at the team?s training facility in Park City, Utah, said he normally lives off of the prize money from races, but after missing several events, his income is starting to dry up.?I really could have used the prize money from the last two events that I missed,” said Cheever. “It?s tough over here ? I?m looking for any support I can get.”To help find sponsors, Cheever put his snowboarding helmet up for auction on eBay so companies can bid to place advertising on it.?The top tier guys for skiing like Bode Miller will get like $300,000 or $400,000 a year for a sticker on his helmet,”said Cheever. “Around my level it?s usually between $10 and $40 grand a year depending on the athlete.”However, Cheever noted it won?t be easy to attract sponsors at this point.?Some companies look at it like, why would you want to sponsor an injured athlete,” said Cheever.This year marks Cheever?s sixth season with the U.S. National Team and he has been racing on the World Cup circuit which includes the X-Games and the World Championships in the snowboard cross, an event he described as “motocross on a snowboard.”?We have a time trial round and then it?s six guys on a course with jumps and bumps,” said Cheever.If all goes according to plan, Cheever said he?s hoping to get back on the slope in October in order to start competing again in December.?My goal is to win the next Olympics and I?m just looking for a company to support me along the way,” said Cheever.For more information on Cheever visit teamcheever.net.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].