Gretchen Bleiler is not only one of the most famous female snowboarders in the world (and smoking hot, BTW) but she is a Midwestern girl as well. And as they say, you can't win the vote without the Midwest.

After 10 years in Toledo, Ohio, Gretchen moved out to Aspen, CO where she suddenly had "Avalanche Danger" days that kept her and her brothers from going to school.

Right away Gretchen dove into winter sports, but for the first couple years of her life it wasn't definite whether she was going to pursue Women's Hockey, or Snowboarding. From the start though, it was obvious that whatever passion Gretchen chose in life, she would be successful in.

Lucky for snowboarding's sake, "GB" (as friends and family call her) set her goals on shredding, and she hasn't had time since to rethink it. From the get-go, GB had a dream of going to the Olympics, as well as to travel and learn about the world.

Now, Gretchen has traveled the world from Japan to New Zealand to Costa Rica. She has fulfilled her Olympic dreams (even securing the silver medal in Torino, Italy, 2006). Gretchen has won the ESPN 2008 Women's Action Sports Athlete of the year award. She has her own signature apparel line with Oakley. She has earned Transworld's unprecedented reader's choice award. She has stood champion atop of the podiums of many X Games, Grand Prix's, and even her won her own signature "Cover Girls Invitational". At this point, there is no doubt that Gretchen Bleiler is a force to be reckoned with.