When Jonathan Cheever snowboards in World Cup races this winter, he'll have the Viega logo on his uniform. When he installs hot water heaters this summer, he’ll have Viega fittings in his toolbox.

Viega LLC is stoked to announce its sponsorship of Jonathan Cheever, a 2018 Olympian and a 14-year member of the U.S. Snowboard Team as a snowboard cross racer. Cheever is also a licensed journeyman plumber who supports himself in the off-season installing water heaters and plumbing bathrooms.

“Jonathan is a natural fit for Viega. In addition to being a world-class athlete, he understands the challenges and rewards of plumbing. When he endorses a product, it’s because it’s proven to be the best performer,” said Molly Morrow, channel marketing manager for Viega.

“I’ve been using Viega fittings since I began working as a plumber in 2004,” Cheever said. “I’m proud to have the company as a sponsor and to spread the word about its fittings and pressing systems. Snowboard cross is all about speed and Viega fittings make every job faster and easier.”

This winter Cheever is competing in the FIS Snowboard World Cup, which started in Austria this December and will conclude in March in the Czech Republic. He is racing for the United States as an independent athlete.

To support himself in the off season he works as a plumber out of Park City, Utah, where he’s done jobs for teammates and coaches. Cheever also sometimes returns in the summer to his hometown of Saugus, Massachusetts, to work with his father and brother, who own Mark Cheever Plumbing & Heating.

“Snowboarding is my passion but, for me, plumbing is more than just a way to make a buck,” Cheever said. “I like the challenge of figuring out the best way to solve a problem and improving people’s lives.”

Cheever also advocates for people to enter the skilled trades, which face a shortage of workers.

“Plumbing and the other trades offer exciting work, job security and good pay without the crippling student loan debt that often comes with a four-year college education,” he said. “It’s a rewarding career path more young people should consider.”