Montreal, Canada (August 22, 2012) – O’Neill, the original surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand for 60 years, is happy to officially introduce Iris “Lazz” Lazzareschi to its award-winning athlete team.  Lazz joins other standouts from Team O’Neill, including fellow female snowboarder Celia Miller, Winter X star Seb Toots and backcountry veteran Jeremy Jones.

Lazz was one of the stars of last month’s ‘O’Neill Experience,’ a behind-the-scenes campaign in Whistler, British Columbia, where she enjoyed summer riding at Whistler Blackcomb alongside Jones and Brody Leven.  During the Experience, she offered insight into her personality, fitness routines, healthy eating habits and adventurous riding style.  Additional O’Neill Experience videos and photos featuring Lazz can be seen at www.oneillexperience.com.

The 25-year-old from Lake Tahoe, Calif. is well known in the snow industry for her versatile riding style and infectious positive personality.  Lazz has a great affection for the mountains and has been consistently boarding since picking up the sport at 12 years old.   She started competing in Slopestyle events and rail jams at 17, turning heads at events including the Volcom PBRJs, the Transworld Team Challenge and Nikita Chikita.

After years on the competition circuit, she started getting more involved in backcountry boarding and freeriding.  She has competed in big mountain snowboarding events at The North Face Masters, Freeride World Tour and King of the Hill, while regularly filming videos and photos around the world.  Among her career highlights are first-place finishes at the North Face Masters at Kirkwood (CA) and Crystal Mountain (WA) last year, along with second-place showings at King of the Hill and World Heli Challenge.  Most recently, she joined the Swatch Freeride World Tour in Chamonix, France.

“It has always been a dream to join an established team like O’Neill, so I’m really excited,” said Lazz, who will be training near home in Tahoe and around the Northwest U.S. to start the season, followed by the North Face Masters Competition Series early next year.  "I'm honored to be part of such a progressive company, and I’ve loved riding with my teammates so far.  We’re all fired up for the season ahead and it’s nice that everyone supports one another to do well.”

As part of her relationship with the brand, Lazz will wear O’Neill jackets, pants, fleece and beanies, and feature the logo on her board and helmet.

“O’Neill is always on the lookout for the most exciting athletes who push their abilities and try new things for the sport," said O’Neill Snow’s Juliet Korver.  "Iris has a passion for snowboarding and her personality connects with the O’Neill lifestyle perfectly.  She’s always the first one on the mountain, and last off, with a smile on her face the whole time.”

For more information about O’Neill Snow, team riders, events and apparel, visit www.oneill.com the O’Neill Snow Americas Facebook page and O’Neill Snow Americas Twitter page.