The final day of competition at this year’s BRITS saw early clouds burn away to leave bluebird conditions for rail shredders of all ages at Tignes. The loose jam format allowed for expression and experiment, and the field could be seen trying new tricks and using features in unique ways throughout qualification and finals. Making their way through the field to take the gold medals where Josh Fawcett and Katie King.
With two zones featuring boxes, cannons, up and down rails and a wall ride, it was a jibbers dream, and the compact area created a great atmosphere for skiers and spectators alike. Kids, pros and masters all rode alongside each other, with each skier stoking the next to go bigger and faster.
In the finals jam, all 18 finalists from four categories continued to ski together, but the atmosphere went up another notch, with all of the skiers really pushing themselves to the limit and a “go big or go home” mentality ended in a few impressive slams, but an incredible number of huge bangers. The cash came in the form of a wedge of Euros, handed out to skiers for gnarliness, or for lines called out by the MC and judges, including best all switch line, picked up by Justin Taylor-Tipton, and most creative use of the bottom zone, which was taken by Andy Collin.
Then came the tough decision of awarding medals. With an arsenal of enormous tricks it was Josh Fawcett who took the win. Josh destroyed the cannon and down rails with huge spins on and off and deservedly grabbed the last gold medal of the week. Second went to the outrageously consistent and always entertaining Andy Collin. Every time Andy dropped in, you could expect a fresh new line and array of creative tricks, including a massive zero spin transfer, wall-ride, lipslide line taking him top to bottom. Claiming the last step on the podium was Grant Donald, who muscled through an injury acquired on his first hit and made sure he didn’t walk away empty handed.
After being crowned champ, Josh had this to say: “It’s pretty rad, I’m stoked. The weather worked out which was really nice. I hit my head pretty hard trying a cork 6 out of the cannon, but the 450 onto the the down rail, I was pretty proud of that.”
In the ladies final, three finalists fought it out for the colour of their medal. Katie King’s technical rail tricks meant her medal would be the gold. Katie also picked up some cash during the jam for her incredible switch-ups on the up and down rails, and lips to switch in the second zone. Taking the second step was Rachael Walsh, who crossed the Alps with an early morning drive to make the contest. Her hours of driving were not in vain, and she left with a BRITS silver medal. Closing out the ladies podium was Tignes local Sophie Offord, who unfortunately couldn’t lace her best qualifying tricks in the final, but still claimed her second medal of the week.
Bangers and Cash Rail Jam Results
Men Women
1st – Josh Fawcett 1st – Katie King
2nd – Andy Collin 2nd – Rachael Walsh
3rd – Grant Donald 3rd – Sophie Offord
The final day also saw the British Snowboard Halfpipe Chamionships in their true-to-size Super Pipe. Of the 43 competitors who ripped up the Super Pipe, it was last year’s winner Lewis Courtier-Jones (19) who took first place for the men whilst Maisy Hill took if for the ladies.
Just as practice picked up, the sun came out, bringing with it great visibility and a softer pipe, ensuring solid tricky and hefty amplitude from the riders. Though it did cloud back over slightly in the finals, the snowboarders were all able to put down amazing runs from practice to finals.
The fight for men’s first place was indeed a close one, with Henry Shackleton placed in 1st after his first run in the finals. However, it was Lewis’ absolutely massive amplitude on technical tricks that set him apart from the rest, especially with his 2nd run consisting of a huge frontside crippler, an even bigger method, a front 9, another method, a front 7 and a cab 7. Henry Schackleton’s 1st run was super smooth and technical involving a huge fronstside air, a backside air, a front 5, a front 7, and a cab 3. Finishing off the podium was Jamie Trinder who fought hard to make it to the top after qualifying fifth for the finals. On his second finals run, he dropped into the pipe switch, making him the only rider to do so, to launch into a Haakon flip (a switch inverted 5), a big tailgrab, a front 3, a cab 3, a front 7, a cab 3, and finishing off with a brilliant eurocarve.
Pumped about getting another gold, Lewis said: “It’s great to win, especially for the second time. I’m pretty happy about my run, I would have loved to land my second run a bit cleaner, but overall it was a good laugh!”
As for the ladies, they definitely impressed the judges with their stylish airs and their ability to get so many tricks in their runs. Maisy Hill’s ability to make it above the coping definitely pleased the judges, earning her first place on her second qualifying. Going huge, Maisy landed a frontside air, a backside air, a tailgrab, a method and finished off her run with a smooth stalefish. In second place was Alex Roberts who pulled off a frontside air, backside air, stalefish grab, method grab, and closed out strong with a backside alleyoop. Closing out the podium was podium regular Cerys Allen, placing 3rd with her 1st finals run involving a cab 3, straight front air, a method grab, a huge indy grab, ending with a back to back frontside to backside alleyoop.
Here is what Maisy had to say about winning: “I’m well chuffed to win, especially since I was actually able to get high out of the pipe. The next thing is learning 360s without falling on my bum!”
If this competition is anything to go by, the future of British Halfpipe snowboarding is in great hands. Gabriel Adams and Scott Walsh, both from the Under12s category, both made it from qualifiers into the finals, competing with the top dogs for podium spots. These two young guns were sending 360s in the pipe with Gabriel managing to stick a front 3 to cab 3 with ease. They both even nailed their signature massive backflips out of the pipe to finish off their runs. For the girls, Mia Brookes and Molly Moore-Phillips demonstrated the most potential, boosting big up the walls of the pipe and getting trick in with effortless style.
British Snowboard Halfpipe Championships Results
Men Women
1st – Lewis Courtier-Jones 1st – Maisy Hill
2nd – Henry Schackleton 2nd – Alex Roberts
3rd – Jamie Trinder 3rd – Cerys Allen
A killer day on the hill, and a fitting way to see out the week’s competition in style. The BRITS 2015 has seen some incredible performances, and an incredible atmosphere amongst competitors, parents, spectators and officials. Keep up to date with all the plans for 2016 at www.the-brits.com
The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive Partners: Tignes, SnowboardClub.co.uk, Whitelines.com, SkiClub.co.uk, Funi, Route One and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).