The sun is out! Youth Men rider Oliver Bacharach of Aspen Valley Snowboard Club killed it today in half pipe dropping a backside air, to back to back nines followed by a front five and alleyoop rodeo. Soooo sick. There was some sick riding from the other riders, but Sharkey was definitly the points leader after the first run. Props Shark Dog!
We are stoked to be the venue for the first world snowboard championships for the adaptive riders. We have seen killer riding from them. Chris Slavin blew me away when I saw the shot of her riding a huge box in the slopestyle course on a sit ski. She was at nationals last year as a snowboard competitor and is in a wheelchair as a result of a snowboard crash. I can't tell you how inspired and impressed I am by these riders. They are pushing to make snowboarding a part of the paraolympics and we are so stoked for them!
UPDATE: sign up for the HCSC rail jam is at the HCSC and Oakley tents. Competition will be tomorrow and there are heats starting at 12:45 and finals start at 7:15 with awards at 8:50.
Day Two.
Results Are Posted!
The weather today was cold with blowing snow but all events were completed successfully. And if you have never been to Copper, blowing snow has a whole new meaning here. I think there is still snow in my ears. Though I rode 8 inches of fresh this morning, riders braved the winds and snow to compete in all disciplines.
The morning scene at the half pipe was a throwback to the begining days of snowboarding. Coaches had their boards off and were using them to plow snow out of the pipe so their shredders had something to ride, reminicing of the days when thats how a pipe was cut.
In boardercross, PacSun Rider Jacqueline Hernandez plowed through the finish taking out the timing mechanism. She is ok and finished, though the timing mechanism is a little worse for the wear.
Riders stood through snow blowing sideways for awards and some lucky winners got trips to Woodward and Windell’s camps. Windell’s will be giving away camp sessions all week and raffle tickets are available through the Windell’s tent. The money raised by the raffle will go to USASA scholarships. Winners proudly stood on the Red Bull Podium though the crowd could barely see through the blowing snow.
Those who weren’t competing enjoyed a super sweet day exploring (and getting a little lost) in Copper’s back bowls. The pow was plentiful and the trees bomber.
The High Cascade Rail Jam was postponed due to weather and riders can sign up for tomorrow’s jam at the HCSC table in the Registration room.
Day One.
Day one of competition has come and gone. Though the forecast was for 2 inches of snow, the snow gods had mercy and only a few flakes fell. We saw some killer runs from the ruggie boys in slopestyle with Darren Mack of West Bloomfield, MI taking gold, Edwards, CO rider Blake Moller claiming silver and Caden Roberts of Utah taking the bronze. Ruggie girls also had a strong showing, though there were only 5 competitiors. Chloe Kim killed it taking gold, followed by Maddie Mastro in second and Kiersten Edwards in third.
Boardercross had a slow start with a crash early on, but finished strong. In Menehune girls there was a photo finish for second with Lindsea Lumpkin and Maliea Sanchez battling to take the silver spot next to winner Arielle Gold. The two were neck and neck until Lumpkin pulled ahead to take the silver. An unidentified Vermont rider impressed many a coach on the sidelines today. In a Breaker Boys heat he narrowily avoided a collision by FULLY ollying a fellow competitor. So Rad.
Awards was killer and everyone turned up to show their support for their fellow riders. Go211 broadcasted live on the web with commentary by Olympic rider Tricia Byrnes. Fuel TV was there filming for the weekly update and gathered interviews from riders big and small. Everyone was patient with technical problems and we are promised a new mic tomorrow.
The Adaptive riders agian showed their strength competing in halfpipe. Even just watching them accept the awards is inspiring. Evan Strong took gold in the men's and Bibian Mentel took gold in the women's.
High Cascade and Oakley moved into the sponsor village today with rumors of the rail jam to come. Sign up begins tomorrow so stop by the High Cascade tent to enter the rail jam and try out the exercise bike!
Results for day one are posted on the site so check 'em out! Don't forget to show your support for all the competitors as Nationals rages on.
Cheers!
Nationals has landed!
Nationals has decended on Copper, bringing 1600 competitors to take over the mountain for the next 6 days. All the venues are world class and this year's nationals are shaping up to be better than ever before.
This year open class slopestyle and half pipe are three star TTR events and we are seeing a high level of riding from all age groups. Today was just practice and it was impressive.
Following a day full of practice runs the riders converged for an opening parade and ceremony. Each region was represented with style and everything from ducks to ponies adorned the competitiors.
