Sudsy's Blog

Nissan Russian Adventure

2009-04-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Flight from Moscow to Sochi was interesting after we picked up Jamie Berge who was on our flight to Moscow and 6 of the Scandinavian Freeride crew. The farther back on the plane one sat the smaller the space between rows. I got 21A my knees touching the seat in front of me and an Amazon of a lady who was really excited to be going to Sochi on holiday and talking with an American. As the plane approached Sochi the turbulence was out of hand and only clouds were visible through the windows. We got off at 10 pm to a downpour of rain and flooded parking lots where Vitely the Russian Heli Guide met us for the 1 hour trip from the sea into the mountains and Krasnaya Polyana. As we snaked our way up into the mountains the rain got harder until we went through a tunnel over a KM long and came out into dumping snow with flakes the size of silver dollars. Our residence for the week was The Villa Uyutnaya a little hotel about 5 Kilometers from the Ski Area.

The next morning we woke to a foggy rain snow mix and no idea what the valley or mountains looked like. The ski Area had received three feet of snow the day before and only the bottom lifts were open. We were told that the ski area had not opened til after New Years due to lack of snow, but two days before we arrived they had received 6 feet in a 2 day time span, leaving us with waist deep powder on top of no base layer.

The mountain itself starts at 1500 ft and 4 slow double chairs later drops you off on a ridge line at 6800 ft. There are only 2 groomed runs running down on either side of the lifts from the 3^rd chair down. The top of the 4^th lift puts you on a ridge that goes for miles in both directions and allows access to some crazy lines where the Freeeride World Tour would begin its 2009 campaign.

Day 1 we got to ride the steep trees off the 2^nd and 3^rd lifts. Snorkels were definitely in order as we choked on the snow billowing off our chests through widely spaced trees and rock drops. All the athletes raged the terrain for 6 hours that day and returned to the hotel exhausted and soaking wet from the wet maritime snowpack that seemed to stick to everything. The snow stopped that day but the sun never broke out and the clouds sat low to the valley floor.

Day 2 they opened the top lift but only to the ¾ station where the sickest spine split the ski Area in two, complete with cliffs and even steeper tree skiing. Being a Monday it seemed that the freeriders were the only ones up there and we did are best to tear up the untouched steeps. Another six hour ski day and early night.

Day 3 blew up bluebird and we could finally see the extent of the Caucasus Mountains surrounding us. The peaks went well over 10,000 feet from the valley floor and was very much like the Alps in its grandeur. We also got our 1^st look at the venue for Run 1 of the comp. Two features with pitch greater than 60 degrees connected by cornices and steep chutes. Then into the rolling terrain filled with pungy sticks and bushes to grab you like snow snakes if you were not careful. The snow up high was almost Colorado blower and would sluff with you as you went making it hard to see where you were going. It was announced that the next day would be our first run.

The next morning we arrived at the ski area before the sunrise and the butterflies were already working themselves up. Also in my head were thoughts of Wallace and Nicoletta and the previous season. Having drawn bib 11 the day before I would be getting a pretty clean line. As the first few athletes took there turns, some of the biggest names in freeride were blowing up due to the difficulty of the snow, which led me to second guess my line and opt for my 2^nd choice. Being the 1^st comp of the year and my initial run as a world tour athlete I wanted to keep it simple and stay on my feet so I chose an easy line down a chute with walls on both sides that I tried to hit up the left side and into a wide open field of fresh pow. But when I went up the side it threw me back into the chute and all the debris in the exit which bounced me, spun me around, and made me lose my head just pointing it straight down the hill to the finish. I placed 18 out of 19 on the 1^st run with a score of 7 while The leader Eric Themel sat 18 points ahead of me. We were given the next day off after the Mountain Guides decided the cornices were becoming unstable due to the warming trend we were experiencing.

Saturday was a little cooler and the final run was on. An hour walk out the ridge brought us to the 1^st start gate where I had found a decent line and got my head back into a good mindset. As we were waiting for the comp to start 4 of us were peering off the edge when two more people approached overweighting the cornice at which point it fell taking me and Willy Lindberg with it. I ended up ten feet down stuck in a crevice as chunks the size of cars broke to my left and started an avalanche into the basin below us. Willy lost his skis and poles and had to borrow equipment from the Camera men. My run started off by dropping the cornice and then slashing side turns down to a rock feature bigger then I had expected with an uphill ramp that sent me 30 feet straight up to a hip check which spun me around but allowed me to keep my momentum going enough to way overshoot the transition of my next hit and have me peering down from over 3 stories in the air. From which I promptly did two cartwheels before regaining my composure and finishing my line with several small features and some nice turns.

As it turned out I was the only male snowboarder to blow up both days thus insuring my spot at the bottom of the results. Swiss Veteran Cyril Neri took home the top spot followed by Alex Coudray and Xavier de La Rue. My travel partner Will Brommelsiek brought 4^th and a bunch of tour points back to the US and is in good shape as we get ready for Squaw Valley.

From here the show goes to Squaw Valley USA February 27- March 5 where the riders are to tackle the legendary Tram Face which has been closed to riders since the resort was created and then on to the French Alps as the Freeeride World Tour stops in Tignes, France March 8 -15 for the third stop and last chance to get points and move on to Verbier, Switzerland for the Finals.

Freeride World Tour Russia 2009

2009-01-28T06:08:00.000-08:00

The 1st stop of the tour took Place in Krasnaya Polyana near the Black Sea resort of Sochi which will Hold the 2014 Winter Olympics. 2 meters of snow fell during the week before the riders arrived and a meter fell on the night we arrived making for epic steep tree skiing and and very sketchy conditions on the top of the mountain. Pictures are of the venues and I will follow it up with a lowdown of the comp and the overall results.

2009 Freeride World Tour Kicks off in Russia

2009-01-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

Well It's time to start cranking out the comps and what better way than the 1st stop of the Freeride World Tour from Sochi, Russia January 20-26. I will be covering the happenings from Krasnaya Polyana, Favorite Heli Ski resort of Vladimir Putin. So check out the action at www.freerideworldtour.com then come back to get my take on the whole thing.
Then the 1st stop of the North Face Masters from Snowbird January 28- February 1. I will also be sliding around Snowbird that weekend and give an update on the results.

Winter starts with a bang in Aspen/Snowmass

2008-12-28T07:45:00.000-08:00

What's up Everybody! Just broke the snowfall record for December here in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Picture is from Highlands Bowl and it was pretty good when they opened it. Hope you guys have been following the Freeride contest scene. If anyone wants to compete at the only freeride World Tour stop in the US looks like you can get your shot by coming in the top three at The Tram Face Golden ticket at Squaw Valley USA the week before. So check out all of the new action at Freerideworldtour.com Myself, Will Brommelsiek, and Legend Steve Klassen will be the American riders for the 1st Stop in Sochi, Russia 3 weeks from now. Stay tuned for pics, vid, and the story of the 1st stop

Winter 2009 Snowboard Freeride Schedule

2008-10-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

What’s up all you rippers? Seems like the freeride lights for the 2009 season are starting to flicker. Announcements for comps are all over the web. Snowboard Freeride is on the rise. Looks like the North Face Master’s Series is going to be part of the Freeride World Tour Qualifying Series. Are you going to be there? I know I am. See you in Snowbird, Utah January 30 – February 1. Then hanging out on a cliff with all the billygoaters in Crested Butte, Colorado February 13-15. Bridger Bowl hosts The Bridger Gully Freeride February 21. My home mountain Snowmass hosts the Colorado Freeride Championships February 27 – March 1 and the first stop the North American Snowboard Freeride Tour. Keep an eye out for Casey Vandenbroek I think it’s his year. Kirkwood gets riders back and it’s riders only March 6-8 for the final stop of The North Face Masters. The final comp in North America is going to be the Silver King Freeride at Crystal Mtn. Washington. It’s thw second stop on the North American Snowboard Freeride Tour. The King is sick and Crystal is insane with a North and South Backcountry that offers just about everything .Besides this continent, Europe has tons of potential for Freeride World Qualifier. Austria starts it off at The Fieberbrunn February 5-15, with the winner going to Tignes to compete in the Freeride World Tour Stop. Then Italy throws out the Mystic Freeride Event February 21. If you go to legendary Verbier for the Nendaz Freeride Comp March 14-18 and win you get to compete in the Freeride World Tour Finals the Following week. After Verbier there are still points to be had at the Jasna Freeride in Slovakia March 31- April 5. And there is also the Norwegian Freeride Cup. Four events culminating at the Championships in Roldal, which is also the final stop of the Freeride World Tour Qualifier Series, which I attended last year. All I can say is there is crazy shit everywhere though not a lot of vert. The First three stops are Lofoten which is on an island, Hemsedal, and Sauda which has a hybrid comp with a day devoted to a run with natural features and man made kickers for you to choose from. The final day is a great face and the guys who run it are cool as shit. Oh yea , The winner at Roldal is in for the 2010 Freeride World Tour Sochi, Russia which will be the first stop.

Ajax in June

2008-06-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

I know it's summer but Aspen mountain was open for business last weekend. With $29 lift tickets and 7 runs, the slopes were filled with people even though they were a little out of place. Moving out to Portland Oregon for the summer. If anyone is out that way give me shout. Surfing, Mountain Biking and of course Mt Hood for riding are all on the Agenda and maybe even an ascent of Mt. St. Helens. If you get any sweet summer riding pics would love to post them.

Roldal Freeride Challenge 2008

2008-05-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Roldal, in Western Norway is located 500 meters up into the spine of the mountains that run the entire length of the country. Getting there is a couple hour car/bus ride from the major cities of Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo. The town itself is nestled on a lake that is fed by rivers surging out of Hardangervidda National Park. It is surrounded on all sides by towering plateaus that rise steeply from the lake and valley floor. The Ski center is located 2.8 kilometers to the west just before the highway tunnels for 5 km’s under the ridges which are accessible to riders from the ski area. It was at the end of these tunnels that the Qualifier for the Roldal Freeride Challenge, The final of four stops on The Norwegian Freeride Cup, was to take place. Amidst a steady drizzle of rain and poor visibility all of the non qualified athletes would have to brave the elements and marginal snow conditions (it had been raining for 8 straight days and was beginning to take its toll on the snow as large waterfalls appeared out of the snow only to crash back underneath where one could hear the water as it rushed downhill underneath the riders on its way to the fjord.

Day 1 saw 20 men and women looking to advance into the final. On the women’s side it was Elise Gerlie of Norway who would set herself apart by staying on her feet for the entire run as the other ladies had difficulty handling the tricky snow conditions and Phat to flat airs, which would be the undoing of many of the Men who were to come. On the men’s side only two were able to stay on their feet for the entire run. Jan Fredrik Westgaard and Torolf Tofte were the only riders to get points for fluidity and control. They moved on.

Day 2 was Final day 1 and it turned out to be the first sun in a while. But the damage had already been done. All of the water had destabilized the steeper venues and the riders were sent back to the qualifying venue. The peak was about 350 meters above and about 4km back from the road. It had a pitch ranging between 15 and 45 degrees as it started flat on top into the 1^st of three steep sections separated by flats and the final Phat to extremely flat. 6 women and 14 men left the finish with 3 hours to walk up and choose a line. The night before at the riders meeting it was stressed that a fall meant a control score of zero and stopping would be a zero in fluidity. Judging from the scores awarded at yesterday’s qualifier they were serious. There were two starting gates. One on top that could get almost anywhere on the venue, and one to the left to access the steep chutes and rock drops.

The ladies kicked off the comp and it was Charlotte Hagen putting down a fast flawless run not high on line score but with an aggressiveness not seen in the other women. Kaisa Harkonen also put down a solid run with a couple airs to push her into the super final. Eline Garlie rounded out the qualifiers with a 3^rd.

1. Charlotte Hagen NOR

2. Kaisa Harkonen FIN

3. Eline Garlie NOR

Daniel Regensberger started it off for the men from the left gate dropped a 5 meter rock and flew across the flats to the next 5 meter drop which cart wheeled him on the landing before finishing with a clean double through the bottom section. Raphael Bullet went next from the top dropping a 5 meter cornice, splitting the venue into the middle rock section where he had a spill before getting to the final section jumping a crevasse then finishing. Dave Watson followed and took a similar run as Raphael except dropping a 5 meter rock just passed the cornice. Then on the exit air a 3meter drop ass-checked the flat landing. Asle Tangvik then took an easy line down the middle. But what was special about Asle was the fact that he had only one leg. He rode a single ski with poles that had small skis. He had been competing in the snowboard class for the last couple of years. Supposedly he wanted to compete in Alpine but the organizers denied him the Big Top at the Circus and threw him in the Freak show in the side tent with the snowboarders. Asle had a fast line without a fall which boded well for him. Havard Anensen winner of The Lofoton Freeride held a few weeks ago in The Lofoton Island chain tried to drop 10 meters but blew up and slid about 50 meters before getting up and finishing his run. For some reason a DNF was awarded. Then Will Brommelsiek left the top gate for the right side and a smooth triple before zigging where he should have zagged and ended up 2 meters away from a 50 meter cliff. This was out of the venue for good reason and he unstrapped and walked back up. Then came back into the venue finished his run with a 5 meter drop to a double and a DNF. Jan Fredrik took a similar line to his #1 qualifying run carrying more speed but starfished in an easy part of the line. Big time Swedish pro Daniel Furberg followed. From the 2^nd gate into the steep rocky section where he sent it 5 meters into the open carving nice turns down the mellow left side before finishing through the waterfall chute on the left side of the bottom steep section, a nice safe line. Morten Brockermann showed everyone that making turns and avoiding all rocks would put you through to the super final. Then David Magnusson the best Norwegian Freerider, fresh off a 3^rd at Extreme Verbier, the Championship of the Freeride World Tour, started at the top. Coming down the right side making big smooth turns he hit the steep mid section and dropped where Will had come off a few minutes before, went right at the bottom with an easy exit. Drawing the final run for snowboarders was Torolf Tofte who took the exact same run as Magnusson dropped the cliff bigger then the other two and carried a bunch of speed to the finish. The field was cut in half excluding the DNF’s and the top 6 moved on for the men.

1. Torolf Tofte NOR

2. David Magnusson NOR

3. Morten Brockermann NOR

4. Daniel Furberg SWE

5. Asle Tangvik NOR

6. Raphael Bullet SUI

Saturday blew up Bluebird for the super final. Since it had been clear and cold the night before a new venue above the ski area was chosen. Accessed by the only Ski lift in Roldal with a Northwest face and about 200 meters of 50 degree vert. Riders left and center of the venue had mandatory exit airs between 7 and 25 meters. Eline Garlie got the party started down the right side carrying a good amount of speed into the bottom chute and the finish. Kaisa followed her not as aggressively but she dropped a couple 3 meter rocks with out a fall. Charlotte tried to hold the lead carrying good speed down the right side and was on her way to victory until she wiped out off the bottom rock.

Raphael was 1^st to go for the men dropping right of center onto the shelve from 5 meters then working right off the shelf and down through the lower chute carrying good speed and off another 5 meter rock at the bottom. Then Asle came down the right side of the venue and tried to air into the chute but went to his side and got his pole caught underneath him. Daniel Furberg was up next. He dropped onto the top shelf made a big sweeping right turn with a sweet air out and down to the bottom right of the chute but could not manage to hold on to a 7 meter drop and took a cartwheel before finishing. Then Morten dropped the cornice as part of a double over a 5 meter rock lost control and spun out back to his feet where he became the only rider to drop the lower cliffs sticking it from 10 meters and finishing up with the run of the day in Men’s Snowboard. Magnusson then came off the top cornice with some heat and struggled to get it back under control before he exited the shelf over a rock and into the bottom area. Passing up the chute he set his sight on a little shelf but baubled before a 5 meter drop which ended in a double cartwheel. Torolf then took the final run dropping the cornice off the top then heading right with a double to exit the shelf, flying back into the bottom chute and back to back top runs. Here are the final results

Women’s Snowboard

1. Kaisa Harkonan FIN 30.7

2. Charlotte Hagen NOR 26.0

3. Eline Garlie NOR 24.7

4. Diane Seymour NOR 9.3

5. Annina Karvinen FIN 7.7

6. Gina Skjolet NOR DNF

Men’s Snowboard

1. Torolf Tofte NOR 60.3

2. Morten Brockermann NOR 44.7

3. David Magnusson NOR 44.3

4. Daniel Furberg SWE 37.3

5. Raphael Bullet SUI 37.0

6. Asle Tangvik NOR 28.3

7. Olivier Favre SUI 14.0

8. Dave Watson USA 12.7

9. Jan Fredrik Westgaard NOR 12.3

10. Daniel Regensberger AUT 11.3

11. Anders Ekkje Slettebo NOR 10.0

12. Helge Myrvang NOR 9.7

13. Will Brommelsiek USA DNF

14. Havard Anensen NOR DNF

Bromm's are you serious

2008-05-13T17:39:00.001-07:00

Check out the Kickers

2008-05-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

Sauda Backcontry Challenge

2008-05-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

So it's May and I just got back from Norway. Started off the adventure with Will Brommelsiek and Cory Zila who like myself went to qualify for The Freeride World Tour. We all met at the Fiskepieren in Stavenger for a jet boat ride up the fjord to Sauda and the 3rd stop of the Norwegian Freeride Cup. Unfortunately The comp was canceled because of poor visibility. But got 2 days beforehand and here are the pics.

Venture Snowboards Rocks

2008-04-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

Well everyone as the season winds down wanted to send Thanx out to Klemmen and Lisa Branner for continuing to put out sick boards namely The Zephyr which I ride in a 162, 166, and 171 wide ( 28 cm wide ). If you ever thought about going wide here is a little story. Fellow competitor Casey Vandenbroek is one my riding bro's here in Snowmass and I have been trying all year to get him on our boards. He has been riding Burton, Arbor, and High Society. I talked him into riding my 162 on a fat pow day. His only answer was I can't believe I did not listen to you before, I can stomp any landing and come out of it as smooth as a Cadillac. He is now hooked and can attest to the performance of the Zephyr. It's torsional stiffness is unsurpassed on the market. Overall flex pattern snaps you through turns and the construction is so pimp that durability is my favorite aspect. Also anyone with big feet can get closer to no toe drag which translates to being able to be secure on steeper slopes. Venture also offers a softer twin tip called the Helix, several powder boards with different stiffnesses, and the Divide a split board made up to 181 cm to really get around and let loose in the backcountry. Klemm and Lisa Thanx again for keeping it local, Keeping it Green, and responding to the needs of riders.

Check em out at www.venturesnowboards.com

Wallace Westfeldt Rides Forever

2008-04-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hello Rippers,

It is a very sad day for myself, The Roaring Fork Valley and the Westfeldt Family as we come to terms with the passing of Wallace Westfeldt. Wally died yesterday doing what he loved, Riding his board. He was filming in Tonar Bowl behind Aspen Highlands, hucked a huge cliff that did not go well. He was a future legend in snowboarding, combining park and pipe with the Big Mountain scene, piling up wins in the process before the age of 21. 22 is way to young and the loss will be noticed in years to come. Ride in Peace.

RV Stylee

2008-03-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank the Jersey Shore boys, Ed "The Red" Field and Pauly Brockman for coming up with the idea. Slept six comfortably and definitely was slopside accomadations with a firepit and snow cave icluded. Thanks to Tyler Dewitt, Jake Laskin, Ivava Krone and my lady Liz for sharing the accomadations, and everyone who hung out. Let's get a few next year create a freeride village.

Top: Brews after a long Day at the Casa

Bottom: Watching the footie from the day with the boys from Whistler.

Chuck White gets Snorting Elk Angry!

2008-03-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Hey Chuck Thanks again for your involvement in The Silver King. See ya next year. Oh yea and as Adam Devargas put it " I could go out and do a powder run! " Thanks Buddy

John Barci Kicks Ass

2008-03-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Wanted to send out thanks for another successful comp. Saw over a 100% increase in the rider numbers there this Year. And hopefully another 100% next year.

Spcial Thanks to APO Snowboards

2008-03-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

I would like to give a shout out to Will Veve APO's Owner who chilled with the riders at both comps. We appreciate your support and look forward to taking a picture of you next year with a board on your feet!

Stay tuned for pictures from the weekend RV Stylee

2008 North American Snowboard Freeride Tour Final Standings

2008-03-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

2008 North American Freeride Snowboard tour
Final Standings

Name ---- Colorado Freeride --- Silver King ---- Overall

-------Snowboard Women
1. Shannan Yates ---- 200 --- 200 ---- 400
2. Ivana Crone ---- 150 --- 140 ---- 290
3. Lisa Ruggieri ---- 140 --- 130 --- - 270
4. Onna Konicek ---- 180 --- 0 --- - 180
4. Alison Kayes ---- 0 --- 180 ---- 180
6 Nathalie Nevins ---- 160 --- 0 ---- 160
6. Jamie Coughlin ---- 0 --- 160 ---- 160
8. Heather Chapin ---- 0 --- 150 ---- 150
9. Rachel Sheidow ---- 130 --- 0 ---- 130
10. Kendra Charts ---- 120 --- 0 ---- 120
10. Alexandria Jackson ---- 0 --- 120 ---- 120
-------Snowboard Men
1. Dave Watson ---- 180 --- 200 ---- 380
2. Ben Crocker ---- 150 --- 130 ---- 280
3. Tyler Dewitt ---- 140 --- 120 ---- 260
4. Jake Laskin ---- 105 --- 140 ---- 245
5. Riley Gessele ---- 200 --- 0 ---- 200
6. Sky Risvold ---- 0 --- 180 ---- 180
7. Wallace Westfeldt ---- 160 --- 0 ---- 160
7. Adam Devargas ---- 0 --- 160 ---- 160
9. Aaron Robinson ---- 0 --- 150 ---- 150
10. Jonathan Penfield ---- 130 --- 0 ---- 130
11. Eli Lieberman ---- 120 --- 0 ---- 120
12. Jason Nielson ---- 110 --- 0 ---- 110
12. Doug Thayer ---- 0 --- 110 ---- 110
14. Tim Roberts ---- 0 --- 105 ---- 105
15. Matty Fulop ---- 100 --- 0 ---- 100
15. Joey Smith-Howard ---- 0 --- 100 ---- 100
17. Jeff Adler ---- 95 --- 0 ---- 95
17. Justin Treat ---- 0 --- 95 ---- 95
19. Joel Howard ---- 90 --- 0 ---- 90
19. Duncan Morel ---- 0 --- 90 ---- 90
21. Aaron Lippold ---- 85 --- 0 ---- 85
21. Andy Bergin-Sperry ---- 0 --- 85 ---- 85
23. Evan Winn ---- 80 --- 0 ---- 80
24. Teddy Hoffman ---- 75 --- 0 ---- 75
25. Raymond Viera ---- 70 --- 0 ---- 70
26. Aaron Berne ---- 65 --- 0 ---- 65
27. Casey Vandenbroek ---- 60 -- 0 ---- 60

2008 Silver King Freeride Results

2008-03-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

2008 Silver King Freeride
Final Standings

Snowboard Women
Rank -- Name -- --- Run 1 -- Run 2----- Total

1st Shannon Yates-- 20.56 -- 32.88 -- 53.44
2nd Alison Kayes -- 18.38 -- 26.25 -- 44.63
3rd Jamie Coughlin -- 15.19 -- 26.81 -- 42.00
4th Heather Chapin -- 17.13 -- 24.31 -- 41.44
5th Ivana Crone -- 14.88 -- 26.--41.07
6th Lisa Ruggieri -- 15.44 -- 25.25 -- 40.69
7th Alexandria Jackson -- 11.06 -- 25.63 -- 36.69

Snowboard Men

1st Dave Watson -- 23.75 -- 32.56 -- 56.31
2nd Sky Risvold -- 20.06 -- 34.56 -- 54.62
3rd Adam DeVargas -- 18.31 -- 36.19 -- 54.50
4th Aaron Robinson -- 20.19 -- 31.94 -- 52.13
5th Jake Laskin -- 18.25 -- 30.63 -- 48.88
6th Ben Crocker -- 19.38 -- 25.44 -- 44.82
7th Tyler Dewitt -- 15.00-- 28.88 -- 43.88
8th Doug Thayer -- 19.81 -- 20.38 -- 40.19
9th Tim Roberts -- 17.38 -- 22.75 -- 40.13
10th Joey Smith-Howard --16.00 -- 23.19 -- 39.19
11th Justin Treat -- 16.56 -- 20.44 -- 37.00
12th Duncan Morel -- 17.25-- 18.19 -- 35.44
13th Andy Bergin-Sperry -- 12.94 -- 20.81-- 33.75

Silver King Freeride 2008

2008-03-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

2008 Silver King Freeride

Crystal Mountain, Washington was the setting for the 6th annual Silver King Freeride Competition. The Silver King is an impressive 1200 Vert Peak with a spine of rock down the middle of the venue, allowing the riders to find tight steep chutes, Rocks to pop off of, or an elevated snowfield with a mandatory 40 footer for an exit. The conditions were less than ideal because it had rained to the top of the mountain then got cold and started snowing. Day 1 for the riders was taking place on the Snorting Elk Bowl, a 500 vertical foot venue with tight tree chutes at the top approaching 60 degrees, some big rocks up top, and a technical rock section on the right and tight trees to small cliffs to the left on the bottom. There was about 3 inches of fresh on top of the hockey rink for the riders.
This year marked the first time women had competed in snowboard . 7 women showed up to join 14 men looking to be crowned champion.
The Women started the event off through a constantly changing pattern of snow, fog, and flat light that made it very difficult to stick your airs. Many of the women at Crystal were either 1st time or second time competitors. I was impressed by Heather Chapin , a Mt Hood local who was very nimble on her feet, could have ridden a more difficult line, but ended up in third for the day. 2nd place went to Alison Hayes from Whistler who looked like a ghost coming down the venue just as a squall line hit. How the judges could see her I don’t know. But it was Wily veteran Shannan Yates, last weekends winner from Snowmass, who came in ripped the most difficult line in the tree chutes and aired out the bottom.
On the men’s side the action was very interesting because only Ben Crocker Adam Devargas, and Dave Watson had competed before on this venue and went 1st, 2nd, and 4th on the Podium last year. Dave Watson would set the bar for the day by tearing up a tight tree shoot to a 15 footer that sent him into the bottom trees where jump turns ruled until there was nowhere left to go. A tree was pushed aside a point of the board and a 20 foot up and 30 feet out came out of nowhere which was stomped, and then pointed to the finish. Ben Crocker, reigning Silver King champion stomped his big air at the bottom but did not get the line score and was left in 5th with Adam Devargas in 6th. Sandwiched in between were three first year Freeride competitors. In 4th was Doug Thayer from Tahoe. Local Sky Risvold sat in 3rd, and Aaron Robinson from Whitefish, Montana was perched in 2nd. 1.12 points was all that separated 6th from 2nd. Place and then a 3.56 point gap to Dave Watson in 1st.

The final was set for The Silver King. As usual the King was more elusive then accommodating, not holding any of the snow that had been continually falling since it rained all the way to the top of the venue 4 days earlier. The women would start the day off with weather holds and poor visibility as the squall lines pushed through the venue all day. Most of the women decided to test themselves on the riders left side of the venue, called Pinball’s a 50 degree slope interspersed with trees, rocks, and pepper. The 1st couple of ladies avoided anything crazy and just put down smooth fast pow turns all the way to the bottom. Jamie Coughlin was one of them and her run would push her from the bottom of the pack all the way up to 3rd and the podium with the 2nd highest score of the day for the women. Alison Kayes maneuvered her way through pinballs
And held on to 2nd position overall. But it was The Shannan Yates show again, aggressively carving up Pinballs, dropping a rock band and flying down to the finish.
The men took over after Shannan. Tyler Dewitt, sitting in next to last, started off in Hairballs a tight steep chute that scored really well and was able to move up 5 places to finish in 7th. He was followed by Kirkwood local Tim Roberts who took a nice line through the top of Pinballs then lost his way and was left in 9th place. Next came Jake Laskin, who was the only competitor ski or snowboard who attempted to ride Pinball chute, a scary long chute not very wide that he even aired in the middle of. He might have moved up even farther had he stuck his landing off the left side of the spine, but settled for 5th. He was followed by Adam Devargas who came in to Hairball’s hot, then aired out which caused him to go right by the middle chute. But it was his aggressive line through the elevated snowfield and a 40 footer to get out that gave him the highest score of the day and moved him all the way up to the podium and a 3rd place finish. He was followed by Ben Crocker, notorious big air artist who came down through Hairballs, the middle chute, and onto the elevated snowfield for something big and a shot at the podium. He eyed up a 70 footer pointed it but did not have enough momentum, hit a cliff up high and then bounced onto his head from 60 feet for 6th. Doug Thayer who was sitting in 4th then tried his luck on the Pinball side missed his airs and fell to 8th place. Sky Risvold took his run to the far right of the venue. Not the most technical line but one with fresh pow and a big launch at the bottom for which he received a sickbird nomination, and the second highest score given to a snowboarder at the comp. He was rewarded with a 2nd place finish overall. It was down to the final two riders to see who would be King of The Silver King. Aaron Robinson then followed Sky over to the right hit the big air at the bottom to the Ka-Ka’s of a sick bird Nomination. The lack of difficulty on his run would drop him two places to 4th. Only the 1st round leader Dave Watson was left up top. Dropping into Hairball’s the crowd saw why he was in 1st as he made solid 180 degree jump turns through the chute then came down to the middle chute which was tighter then hairballs and still managed to flow smoothly through and onto the elevated snowfield. Too far left to drop the big cliffs he tried to get back to the right hit a section of ice and slid right passed the tree airs to the left of the cliffs, finished up with a mainline at the bottom and the 3rd highest score of the run, holding off Sky and Adam for the top podium spot.

The Silverking: Stop # 2, Crystal Mtn. Washington

2008-03-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here it is 1200 vertical feet of fluff on a 45 degree slope. Steeps,chutes, cliffs and hanging snowfields. The action starts Thursday March 13 as the qualifiers kick off in Gnarly Elk Bowl or Campbell Basin

North American Snowboard Freeide Standings

2008-03-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Women---------------Event 1-------------Event 2-----------Event 3-----------Overall
1. Shannan Yates------200 pts
2. Onna Konicek-------180 pts
3. Nathalie Nevins-----160 pts
4. Ivana Crone--------150 pts
5. Lisa Ann Ruggieri---140 pts
6. Rachel Sheidow-----130 pts
7. Kendra Charts------120 pts
Men
1. Riley Gessele-------200 pts
2. Dave Watson-------180 pts
3. Wallace Westfeldt---160pts
4. Ben Crocker--------150 pts
5. Tyler Dewitt--------140 pts
6. Jonathan Penfield---130 pts
7. Eli Lieberman-------120 pts
8. Jason Nielson-------110 pts
9. Jake Laskin---------105 pts
10. Matt Fulop--------100pts
11. Jeff Adler----------95 pts
12. Joel Howard-------90 pts
13. Aaron Lippold-----85 pts
14. Evan Winn--------80 pts
15. Teddy Hoffman---75 pts
16 Raymond Vieira---70 pts
17.Aaron Berne-------65 pts
18. Casey Vandenbroek-60 pts

823 Palisades

2008-03-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

Had a blast hanging out with everyone at my pad this weekend. Hope to do the same next weekend in Washington RV stylee.

Stihl Colorado Championship Weekend

2008-03-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank all of the men and women who came out to my home mountain and showed the spectators where the future of Freeride and Snowboarding in general is going. Several of the riders killed it all weekend, many brought creative new lines and a few had sick tricks. Check out the spectator shots and check back for video and pics coming soon!

2008 Stihl Colorado Freeride Results Snowboard

2008-03-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

Women

Run 1 Run 2 Total

1. Shannon Yates 25.6 31.2 28.4

2. Onna Konicek 18.0 17.8 17.9

2. Nathalie Nevins 19.4 16.4 17.9

4. Ivana Crone 19.0 16.6 17.8

5. Lisa Ruggieri 17.6 14.8 16.2

6. Rachel Sheldow 17.2 10.6 13.9

7. Kendra Charts 16.0 0 8.0

Men

Run 1 Run 2 Total

1. Riley Gesselle 38.4 40.2 39.3

2. Dave Watson 40.4 35.8 38.1

3. Wallace Westfeldt 35.4 34.0 34.7

4. Ben Crocker 30.6 35.6 33.1

5. Tyler Dewitt 30.6 34.6 32.6

6. Jonathan Penfield 35.2 26.4 30.8

7. Eli Lieberman 25.6 35.0 30.3

8. Jason Nielson 29.6 28.4 29.o

9. Jake Laskin 26.8 30.4 28.6

10. Matt Fulop 28.8 0 14.4

11. Jeff Adeler 26.0 0 13.0

12. Joel Howard 24.4

13.Aaron Lippold 19.4

14. Evan Winn 19.0

15. Teddy Hoffman 17.6

16 Aaron Berne 14.8

17. Casey VandenBroek DNF

2008 Stihl Colorado Freeride Championships Podium

2008-03-05T14:24:00.000-08:00