Alaska Native snowboarder in Olympics

Alaska's first Native Olympian

By Craig MedredSnowboarder Callan Chythlook-Sifsof--who got her start being towed by her brother behind a snowmachine across the wild, windswept and snow-covered hills of remote Southwest Alaska--is going to the Olympics next month.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association made it official Monday.

Chythlook-Sifsof will compete in boardercross, an event in which groups of snowboarders race wildly down a steep course in a barely controlled pack.And:Part Yupik and part Inupiat, Chythlook-Sifsof appears to be the first Alaska Native ever to make it to the Olympics.Comment:  For more on Natives in the Olympics, see Three Native Olympic Gold Medalists and Huron Swimmer in Olympics.