Heather Rousseau/Aspen Daily News
Aspenite and Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler greets the crowd during the sendoff party in Aspen gondola plaza Monday for the valley’s seven local athletes who will be competing in the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Behind from left is figure skater Jeremy Abbott’s sister, alpine skier Jake Zamansky’s father, alpine skier Alice McKennis and alpine snowboarder Chris Klug. Not pictured but in attendance were ski cross racer Casey Puckett and the parents of Nordic skier Simi Hamilton. More photos can be found at www.aspendailynews.com; click on the photo gallery on the left side of the home page.