A new concept in snowsports competition has been created, aimed at growing British freestyle talent.
The idea behind the Championship Ski and Snowboard (CSS), is to get local dry slopes and indoor snow centres to create teams and compete against other centres across Britain.
Rather than face the time and expense of regular travel from one centre to the next, the CSS will instead see crews submit videos of their best tricks filmed at their local indoor or dryslope scene. However the best teams will be invited to take part in live finals in the autumn.
That footage will then be judged by international level judges, scored and edited into “matches” which will then be live on the CSS website and shared across social media.
The CSS concept is the brainchild of Hamish McKnight, head snowboard coach of the GB Park and Pipe Team, who wanted to create a platform where young freestyle talent could be showcased and allowed to thrive.
“CSS will provide a competition structure that supports what lies at the heart of the core scene – doing tricks, having fun and being able to show them off to everyone,” a GB Park and Pipe Team press statement explains.
Teams will be able to win prizes, which include a new feature for their slope and the kudos of being crowned “best scene in Great Britain”, and the top teams will be invited to the live finals taking place at major UK ski and snowboard events in October.
“The GB Park & Pipe team has shown itself to be able to take on the best in the world. There is a really deep wealth of talent following in the footsteps of the current team and CSS will ensure that in years to come this talent will continue to come through and be able to challenge at the very top level,” enthused . Lesley McKenna, GB Park and Pipe Team Manager, adding, “CSS is an essential link between the proven top level GB Park & Pipe team and the grassroots in the UK.”
Championship Ski and Snowboard will begin in May and run until the live finals in October, with teams consisting of four riders, including one female and one young gun who is under 15, as well as two others.
CSS is endorsed by GB Park & Pipe and supported through The Snowboard Asylum, Ellis Brigham as well The National Lottery, UK Sport and national governing bodies Snowsport England and Snowsport Scotland.
Anyone looking to enter a team should contact Josie on 07989 538044 or email [email protected]
