david jacobs, spyder's founder and chairman was born in montreal, canada, and began skiing at age 13. at 21, he won the quebec kandahar, and from 1957 through 1961 was a member of the canadian national ski team. in 1957 he captured the title of canadian downhill ski champion, and was the top-ranked member of the canadian fis team the following season. he was the first full-time head coach and program administrator for the canadian national ski team from 1964 to 1966.