Hall of Famer
Wayne Wong
Affiliated Discipline(s):
Freestyle
Hometown:
Vancouver, BC
Active Career Period:
1970 - 2009
Induction CSHF:
2009
Induction Category:
Freestyle
Wayne Wong is a true Canadian pioneer of freestyle skiing, and considered by many to be one of the most influential skiers of the 20th century.
Born in Vancouver, B.C., Wayne is the inventor of the famous “Wong Banger” and starred in countless skiing movies, as well as competing at a world-class level.
Most images and impressions of the early years of “hot dog” skiing include his iconic name and face. Wayne was highly marketable, an engaging character and personified the look and style of skiing in the 1970s and 80s.
After years of competing at the international level where he won multiple events and awards in the 1970s , Wayne continued in the ski industry in film and in various ambassador roles in the sport. He also coached many up-and-comers and schmoozed successfully with corporate executives.
Wayne Wong exemplified the “free” in freestyle skiing, contributing to a lifelong involvement in the ski industry.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 1971 – 3rd place in the first-ever national championships of Exhibition Skiing
- 1972 – Skiing Magazine Freestyle Skier Of The Year.
- 1972–76 – Member of the K2 and Salomon Freestyle ski teams.
- 1973 – Europa Cup Freestyle Overall Winner.
- 1974 – Rocky Mountain Freestyle Skiing Champion.
- 1975 – Member of the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Interski Team
- 1984; 1986; 1987 – World Powder 8 Champion
- 1999 – Recognized in Skiing Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Issue as one of the 25 Most Influential Skiers Of All time.
- 2000 – Voted by Ski Magazine as one of the Top 100 Skiers Of All Time
- 2002 – Olympic Torch Bearer for the 2002 Olympic Games.
- 2008 – Received the Frances Williams Preston Award for his dedication to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Research Center.
Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.
2009 Induction event: [L– R] Inductees Wayne Wong, Shaun Fripp, Chris Robinson, Piotr Jelen. CSHFM Collection.
Wayne Wong. Photo: Wayne Wong collection / Powder.
The '60s Freestyle Skiing Revolution | Promo | Dog Days Of Winter
Wayne Wong and Canada's 1975 Interski Demo Team | Vintage Ski Video
Classic footage of Canada's 1975 Interski Demo Team in training that includes rare footage of Wayne Wong demonstrating his hot-dog skills.
Wayne Wong skiing tricks and the origins of freestyle skiing and hotdogging
Freestyle legend Wayne Wong visits Nashoba Valley Ski Area each year to visit with friends and give free carving clinics with Pam Fletcher. This year videographer Jon Damon followed Wayne around the slopes as he demonstrated some ski ballet tricks and smooth carving technique. Wayne Wong talked about the early days of freestyle skiing, and the origins of some of the famous ski tricks invented by a small group of hotdogging pioneers
Moguls Final, 1994 World Technical Skiing Championships | Vintage Ski Video
The inaugural World Technical Skiing Championships was held on Blackcomb Mountain in April of 1994. The final event was the moguls competition and one of the highlights was Wayne Wong's run. Other notable competitors in this segment include Marc Garcia, Felix McGrath, Mathias Berthold and Olympic Champion Steve Mahre. Hosts Lynn Warll and Steve Podborski bring us all the bump action
Old School Freestyle Skiing | Vintage Ski Video
Enjoy this 1973 Freestyle event held in Whistler.
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