Second-time WX Slopestyle rider Izumi Amaike was named TransWorld Snowboarding Japan's Female Rider of the Year in '05. Though she is based out of Japan, her goal is to become a well-known rider in North America. To that end, she makes sure she competes in high-profile contests -- and she's done well in '05: 3rd at the Gravity Games and Nippon Open, and 6th at the '05 Honda Session. She placed 5th in slopestyle in the '03/'04 season-end rankings for the Vans Triple Crown.
A virtually unknown rider in the U.S., this 27 year old ripper from Japan burst upon the women's snowboard scene in 2004 with a 2nd place finish at the Northstar VTC. Izumi will be making her WX debut in '05.