Across the Board 23-04-08
Welcome to the latest edition of Across the Board from SnowsportGB which will keep you updated on all the latest from the British Snowboard team. Along with results, we'll be featuring profiles of the athletes and teams, will hear from the coaches and sponsors and will keep you informed about the main news and events throughout the season.
Full Speed Ahead - The BRITS Round-Up
Day 2: Newcomers sweep the slopes with riders
Day 4: Can't rain on our parade!
A Disciplined Sport - The Enthusiasts Guide
Full Speed Ahead - The BRITS Round-Up
Laax, Switzerland recently played host to the British Snowboard Team as they descended upon the ‘Swiss national treasure’, displaying an array of glittering talent, for the eagerly anticipated BRITS ’08. Held from 31 March – 5 April, hundreds of spectators watched on as the best in British snowboarding competed in some of the fastest and most exciting events in recent history.
The BRITS 2008 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s. Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax. Snowsport GB would like to extend a huge thanks to all.
Photo’s from the event and video can be viewed on the Snowsport GB website, simply visit the following page http://www.snowsportgb.com/BRITS-Pictures-and-Videos .
Sunshine welcomed competitors on the first day of the wintersports festival with the Tresspass British Snowboardcross Championships kicking off the event. Over 90 snowboarders challenged each other until only the fastest remained to battle it out in the adrenalin fuelled finals. British Snowboard Team members, James Foster and Zoe Gillings dominated the day’s competition, both taking the podium top spots as well as claiming the two fastest race times of the competition.
The women’s final featured three Olympians and British Snowboard Team members, made for a tight and highly competitive race. Zoë took a fast lead with the gold firmly set in her sights, whilst the other finalists, Ivy Taylor, Lesley McKenna and Kate Foster were ready to steal the lead at any possible opportunity. A well deserved gold went to Zoe with Ivy coming in a close second place, followed by Lesley and Kate.
The men’s final was just as competitive with James gaining the fastest time of the day’s competition after benefiting from a great start. By pulling away from the other riders and securing the lead, which he held onto for the entire race, James relished in an impressive run and claimed the top spot and title.
Trespass British Snowboardcross Championships Results:
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Men: 1st – James Foster, East Sussex 2nd – Michael Arrowsmith, Dorset 3rd – George Springfield, Devon |
Women: 1st – Zoe Gillings, Isle of Man 2nd – Ivy Taylor, Cheshire 3rd – Lesley McKenna, Aviemore |
Day 2: Newcomers sweep the slopes with riders
The Quiksilver British Big Air Championships opened day two of competition at the BRITS 2008, Laax Switzerland with over 100 riders attacking the 7, 14 and 20 metre kickers. New comers to the BRITS, Richard Hookes and Claire Frost stepped it up to take the overall 2008 Quiksilver Big Air Championship titles.
It was a close competition during the eight man final with only one point separating the top six placings. New to the BRITS and un-sponsored rider Richard Hookes, threw down a huge cab 900, switch tail, to walk away with the overall men’s title, not bad for his first BRITS appearance! Second place went to British Snowboard Team member, Ben Kilner, who was riding super strong all day and perfectly landed a text book corked backside 720. Nelson Pratt took third place after he pulled out a stylish cab 900.
A relative newcomer on the scene, Claire Frost made her mark in the women’s final when she landed two textbook backside 540’s to take the 2008 Quiksilver Big Air title. Samantha Rogers, who had been riding strongly all day, pulled a big frontflip out of the bag on her final jump, and received a mighty cheer from the crowd and second place. Third place went to Lynsey Ashdown after she landed a clean frontside 540.
Quiksilver British Big Air Championships Results
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Men 1st – Richard Hookes, Nottingham 2nd – Ben Kilner, Aviemore 3rd – Nelson Pratt, Hampshire |
Women 1st – Claire Frost, Edinburgh 2nd – Sam Rogers, Reading 3rd – Lynsey Ashdown, Cheshire |
The highly anticipated SNO!zone British Half Pipe Championships kicked off Day 3 of action packed events and although there was a snowy start the weather didn’t dampen the riders’ spirits.
Dan Wakeham set the standard during the qualification rounds after putting together a super technical run and securing himself a place in the final. It was a British Snowboard Team showdown during the final, with 2007 British Champion Angus Leith, Dom Harington, Sam Cullum, Ben Kilner, Dan Wakeham, Jack Shackleton, James Foster and Ben Knox - the only non British Snowboard Team member in the final, all fighting it out for the top three podium spots.
Recently named the Europa Cup Halfpipe Champion, Dom Harington, took gold and the 2008 SNO!zone British Halfpipe title with a clean run, Ben Kilner picked up second and the final spot went to Sam Cullum.
Kate Foster demonstrated her well practiced half pipe skills, taking the title and gold in the women’s final after cleanly landing a solid run. British World Cup Halfpipe team member and Olympian, Lesley McKenna qualified through to the final and took second place after losing a little speed during her final run.
Watch out for….
A special mention goes out to the younger riders pushing up through the ranks including, 15 year old British Junior Squad rider Lee Tarran, who just missed out on a spot into the final and fellow team member 16 year old Aimee Fuller who was the youngest rider to make it through to the women’s final. James Foster also gets a shout out for bringing back some old school style with some long forgotten stylish Japan airs.
SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships Results
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Men 1st – Dom Harington, Leeds 2nd – Ben Kilner, Banchory 3rd – Sam Cullum, Warfield |
Women 1st – Kate Foster, East Sussex 2nd – Lesley McKenna, Aviemore 3rd – Laura Hill, Leeds |
Day 4:Can’t rain on our parade!
The final day of the BRITS ‘08, Friday 4 April, opened up to fresh snow, blue skies and the Animal British Slopestyle Championships after being rescheduled from the previous day due to poor weather conditions. A record number of riders competed with an amazingly high standard of rail and kicker riding combinations thrown down.
The younger generation of shredders set the standard during the qualification rounds with 14 year old Jamie Nicholls and 16 year old Aimee Fuller qualifying in top spot through to the finals.
Nate Kern threw down a stylish and technical run to take both the gold and the title. Second place went to the final’s youngest competitor in the Men's Final, 14 year old Jamie Nicholl taking silver and final podium place going to Jack Shackelton.
Claire Frost continued to be on top form in the women’s final and added the Animal British Slopestyle Championship title and another gold medal to her belt. The silver position went to Lucy Passmore with an injured Laura Berry taking third place.
Animal British Slopestyle Championships Results
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Men 1st – Nate Kern, Sussex 2nd – Jamie Nicholls, Bradford 3rd – Jack Shackleton, Newbury |
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Women 1st – Claire Frost, Edinburgh 2nd – Lucy Passmore, Milton Keynes 3rd – Laura Berry, Milton Keynes |
The Red Bull Home Run debuted on the closing day of The BRITS with 201 skiers and snowboarders jostling for positions on the start line for a Le Mans start. On the starter’s pistol the carnage began, with racers fighting to get their gear on, and away down the hill. It was the skiers who got away quickly, leaving the snowboarders close behind. The competitors then faced 5km of graded black/red slopes with 1200m of vertical descent.
British Snowboard Team members Ben Kilner and Laura Berry took the male and the female snowboard titles (see the next edition of the new Air Time newsletter for the ski results!).
Incredibly, Laura raced, and won, with a floating collarbone break! The injury was sustained a number of weeks ago during training, Laura is currently waiting for an operation, but couldn't resist competing. The Home Run win rounded off a great final day for the 19 year old, who also took 3rd place in the Slopestyle discipline at the Brits.
A Disciplined Sport - The Enthusiasts Guide
To some people, snowboarding might still seem a little confusing so we've put together an enthusiast’s guide to the disciplines of snowboarding…
Considered one of the newest events in the snowboarding world, snowboardcross (also known as "Boarder X") consists of several riders race on a downhill course, littered with jumps, berms and other obstacles constructed out of snow. Competitions involve a series of heats, traditionally with the first 2 riders in each heat advancing to the next round.
Britains number one female snowboarder Zoe Gillings, displayed her talents at The BRITS. Currently placed 7th in the word, Zoe has had consistent top ten placing throughout the seasonand took a silver medal at the World Cup Snowboardcross event at Gujo-Gifu in Japan in February. She unfortunately missed out on the World Cup Finals in Italy due to injury.
World Cup Team member James Foster also enjoyed the top spot at The BRITS alongside Zoe.
The half-pipe is a semi-circular ditch or purpose built ramp in which competitors perform tricks whilst traveling from side to side and also whilst in the air above the pipe. Halfpipe riding is a discipline of freestyle snowboarding and members of the British Snowboard Team have accomplished outstanding results this competitive season.
Lesley McKenna, finished off her season the way she started securing top ten positions in both Italy and Switzerland. Ranked within the worlds top twenty, the experienced rider demonstrated her talents during The BRITS ’08 alongside other team members, including Dan Wakeham, and Ben Kilner, who were fresh from success at the FIS Word Cup Finals in Valmalenco, Italy where Dan finished 10th and Ben 20th.
Dom Harington achieved his best results of the season, winning the overall Europa Cup Half Pipe Title, whilst Kate Foster, sister of snowboard cross rider James, also had impressive finishes at both World Cup and Europa Cup competitions. Jack Shackelton and Laura Berry also claimed numerous top ten results in the Europa Cup competitions throughout the season, with Jack finishing 6th overall in the Europa Cup Half Pipe competition.
Big Air competitions allow riders to perform tricks after launching off a man made jump built specifically for the event.
Competitors perform tricks in the air, aiming to attain sizable height and distance, all while securing a clean landing. The Quicksilver Big Air Championships, held at The BRITS in Laax, demonstrated the talent behind the discipline with riders mesmerizing the crowds with amazing skill often 20-30ft in the air.
Laura Berry finished an impressive 3rd overall in the Europa Cup Big Air competition this year. This is despite breaking her collar bone twice throughout the season!
Freestyle snowboarding incorporates man-made terrain features such as rails, boxes, handrails, jumps and half pipe, alongside a number of other natural featuresand is the practice of doing different kinds of tricks on a snowboard. The intent of freestyle is to use these terrain features to perform a number tricks on either the ground (e.g. jibbing, bonking, grinding etc.) or in the air (e.g. spins, flips, grabs).
Influenced greatly by skateboarding, many ski resorts operate terrain parks which often simulate the urban skateboard environment, complete with half-pipes and handrails.The majority of snowboard competitions incorporate this style of snowboarding.
Slope style incorporates all the elements you would find within a park and pulls them together into one competition. It witnesses competitors performing tricks while descending a course, moving around, over, across, or down obstacles. The course is a minefield of obstacles including boxes, rails, jumps, and jibs - really anything the board or rider can slide across!
