While it's still months away, a group of America's most talented youth are already preparing after recently being named to the 2010 Junior World Championship team, which will compete in New Zealand August 21-31.

"All of these athletes have worked extremely hard this season to qualify for Junior Worlds. We are excited about this group of athletes and look forward to a great event in New Zealand," U.S. Snowboarding Program Manager Abbi Nyberg said.

The action kicks off on Aug. 21at Snow Park with the first slopestyle event to be held in the history of Junior World Championships. Look for Rev Tour overall slopestyle champion Caty O’Connor (Auburn, CA) to lead the charge for the U.S.

From there Cardrona picks up snowboardcross on the 22nd. Olympian Faye Gulini (Salt Lake City) will be hitting the slope hard for the women's competition. Carrie Uren (Randle, WA) took a Rev Tour title in the discipline and is hoping to take her skills to the world level.

The young but fierce Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO) is going to use the skills she harnessed in 2010 going head to head with pros like Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) and Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT). Schaffrick finished the 2010 season with three top-10 finishes at the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix.

The competition moves on to Treble Cone March 26-27 for parallel giant slalom and parallel slalom. Megan Graham (Minnetonka, MN) and Cassie Wagar (Steamboat Springs, CO) will represent the U.S.

And a big air will close out the Junior World Championships March 31 in Cardrona.

2010 U.S. Junior World Championship Team
Slopestyle
Mikaela Casey, Mound, MN
Caty O'Connor, Auburn, CA
Lauren Tamposi, Hollis, NH

Halfpipe
Jenna Dramise, Henderson, NV
Rainey Pogue, Jackson, WY
Maddy Schaffrick, Steamboat Springs, CO
Shelby Simpson, Bondville, VT

Snowboardcross
Chloe Banning, Steamboat Springs, CO
Jenna Feldman, Linwood, NJ
Faye Gulini, Salt Lake City
Jackie Hernandez, Londonderry, VT

Alpine
Meghan Graham, Minnetonka, MN
Cassie Wagar, Steamboat Springs, CO