The English Indoor Slopestyle Championships witnessed a great turnout of 70 skiers and snowboarders earlier this month, as the event settled easily into its new home of Snozone in Castleford.
Showcasing the best rising freestyle ski and snowboard talent in the country, the English Indoor Slopestyle Champs has always been one of the key dates on the UK snowsports calendar, and the 2017 edition saw young riders from aged 7 battling it out for the English titles.
The day kicked off with the Snowboarders and after a quality training session, riders took to their qualification runs. After a fall on run 1 the pressure was on one of the pre-event favourites, Cerys Allen, to perform on run 2 in order to make the finals which she did just behind Mia Brookes. Josh Cook, Billy Cockrell and Lewis Moore were all leading the way after Men’s qualification. In the finals, Allen, Brooks and Jade Walsh battled for the top 3 places. With a fall again on run 1, Allen came through on her second run to take the English Champion title ahead of Jade Walsh and Mia Brookes. In the Men’s final, Lewis Moore wowed the judges with a huge second run to take the title ahead of Billy Cockrell and Josh Cook.
In the afternoon, it was the turn of the skiers and with another high-quality field, the action came thick and fast. Kirsty Muir led the way from qualifications and into the finals Muir continued to stamp her authority on the event winning by a clear margin over Oliva Burke and Alexandra Brown. A strong male field meant a battle ensued between Justin Taylor Tipton, Chris McCormick, Haydyn Fiori and Tom Greenway. In the finals it was McCormick coming out on top ahead of Taylor Tipton and Fiori with Greenway the unlucky man finishing in 4th.
Ian Findlay, Talent Lead at Snowsport England added “We are delighted with the turn-out at Snozone for the English Slopestyle Champs. We not only witnessed skiers and snowboarders who are on the verge of breaking onto the GB Park and Pipe scene, but also young riders who were able to get their first taste of competition and gain invaluable event experience. Thanks to Snozone, Castleford for their support in the build up and during the event.”
The final English Indoor Championships, Ski and Snowboard Cross, will take place at Snozone, Castleford on 29th July. Entries are still open on the new Snowsport England Entry system (https://entries.snowsportengland.org.uk/). Athletes will need their Home Nations membership number if they have one, otherwise it will be possible to enter as an unregistered athlete.
Results from the day:
Male Snowboard Slopestyle Results
Female Snowboard Slopestyle Results
For more information and photos of the English Indoor Slopestyle and Ski/Snowboard Cross Champs, visit:
Slopestyle, Facebook.com/EnglishSlopestyleChampionships
Ski & Snowboard Cross, Facebook.com/EnglishSSBXChampionships
