Meet the 2011 TNF Masters Judges

TOM BURT–Head Judge
A.K.A.TB
Years Riding: 27 

Career Highlights:
Two Gold Duct Tapes from the Baker Banked Slalom

Lowdown:
Riding since 1982, Tom Burt knows how to hold his own. In 1989, Tom Burt received Rider of the Year honors from International Snowboard Magazine, a publication that touted itself as "The First Mag, the Last Word." The founder and publisher of snowboarding’s first print medium, Tom Hsieh, immortalized Burt with these words: "ISM would like to honor a snowboarder who, in our opinion, embodies the true spirit of snowboarding. One who will, through his actions, leave a positive and lasting impression." Tom has been around for way too long and has contributed immensely to snowboarding and we are honored to have him as the head judge on The North Face Masters tour.

ANDY HETZEL–Judge
A.K.A.: Hetzbanger
Years Riding: 26

Career Highlights:
Current World Mogul Champ. Jumped a train with Temple. Beat Palmers Ass in several boarder cross events. Naked Kicker.

Lowdown:
Hetzel, a 24 year snowboarding veteran, has done it all by competing in halfpipe, big air, slopestyle and boardercross events. The Current World Mogul Champ’s favorite places to ride include Mount Baker, Snowbird, Squaw and Valdez. Some of his career highlights include winning a boardercross in Laax, Switzerland and jumping a train. Hetzel will continue to add his expertise to the 2011 judging lineup for The North Face Masters tour.

TEMPLE CUMMINS–Judge
A.K.A.TC
Years Riding: 23

Career Highlights:
Gold Duct Tape from the Baker Banked Slalom. Getting to ride all over the world

Lowdown:
Cummins has been on the forefront of the snowboard industry since the beginning. He is most known for his epic jump over the moving train in the movie "Easy Rider," where he helped set the standard for modern snowboard films. Working closely with some of the biggest snowboard manufactures over the years Temple has guided the industry to where we see it today. Whether it be through his pro-model boards or his savage style of shredding Temple Cummins helped create what snowboarding is now.

JULIE ZELL—Judge
A.K.A.: JZ
Years Riding: 20 

Career Highlights:
3 Time Winner of the King of the Hill. 1st Verbier Extreme. Several X-Games Boarder X finishes

Lowdown:
Julie Zell has spent the better of her life immersed in snowboarding, along the way becoming one of the most respected female big mountain snowboarders in the history of the sport. Zell holds several titles including three-time winner of the King of the Hill. She has succesfully executed several first descents in Alaska's Chugach Mountain as documented in Teton Gravity Research films. The mother of a three-year-old boy, Zell now coaches a women's-only snowboarding camp in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She has been judging big mountain snowboarding events all over the world for over 10 years and her variety of experience makes Zell the perfect choice for The North Face Masters judging panel. 

Shannon Dunn-Downing – Judge
A.K.A. : Shannon
Years Riding: 14

Career Highlights:
2 Time Olympian in half pipe (Nagano, Salt Lake City), including a bronze in Nagano. 2 time X-Games half pipe gold medalist. 2 time US Open half pipe champion

Lowdown: 
With a career that spanned over 14 years Shannon has been a pioneering force in women’s snowboarding. As a Burton Global team rider from 1994-2004, Shannon had the honor of having the first ever women’s specific pro model board. Shannon served as a judge for half pipe and slopestyle at the 2003 X-games and is excited to bring her knowledge of the sport to the big mountain arena. Shannon lives with her husband Dave and their two boys in Encinitas, CA.