(Ollie Wittaker in the Slopestyle)
Day 2 of the BRITS 2015 saw a huge pool of competitors for the British Freeski Championship in Ski Slopestyle, with a total of 66 riders riding the specially prepared slopestyle course in Tignes. The athletes not only had to battle it out with each other in the Under18s and Overall categories, but they were also forced to fight the elements: the skies clouded over repeatedly, the snow texture changed frequently, and the winds were relentlessly picking up over the course of the day. Ultimately, the winds were just too strong for the competitors to safely complete the course for the finals, thereby determining the podiums on the best qualifying result of each rider.
Thanks to their very strong qualifying runs regardless of the temperamental weather, Harry Wright (17) and Eve Mackenzie (15) placed first for the men and women’s ski slopestyle.
Though it was not decided until the last minute whether or not the finals would go through, Wright’s effortless style and cleanliness during his qualifying runs had already made him a very strong contender for the men’s podium. Ultimately, it was his run including a 450 off the flat rail, a down rail, a massive double off-axis back off the first big kicker, a 900 off the second, and switch 5 off the third kicker that put him above the other competitors. In second place was fellow teenager Kyle Wood (16) with a solid run, making strong use of the entire course for a front 450 off the flat rail, a switch 270 on the second rail, a cork 7, 540, and switch 540 on the kickers. Finishing off the podium was Grant Donald (15) who put down a great run with a blind 270 off the flat rail, a 270 on the second rail, followed by a cork 7, 540, and underflip 540 on the booters.
“I’m just happy to have been able to put down the run I wanted. The course was amazing; the rails section was super fun and the three jumps were perfect,” said winner, Harry Wrights.
On the ladies side, the weather held out long enough to ensure a final of smooth and varied tricks. The girls all made use of the entire course but Eve Mackenzie’s flow and amplitude put her above the rest, nailing her run of flat rail, flat on the round rail, a huge 7 off the medium jump, followed by a 360 and a straight air off of last two kickers. Sophie Offord (23) fought hard to earn second place on the podium, putting down straights on both boxes, a 360 on the small first and second jumps, followed by a clean 540 on the last small jump. Jody Grant (15) rounded out the women’s podium by landing her various tricks, a flat on rail, a gap over the flat rail to the down rail, followed by a 360 on both the first and second small jumps, and straight air to top off the last small jump.
On the whole, the judges were highly impressed with the trick variety of most riders as well as their cleanliness and amplitude. Notable standouts from the competition that just nearly missed the podium were Justin Taylor-Tipton (15) and Felix Klein (15), both sending it hard on the entirety of the course.
British Freeski Slopestyle ChampionshipsResults
Men Women
1st – Harry Wright 1st – Eve Mackenzie
2nd – Kyle Wood 2nd – Sophie Offord
3rd – Grant Donald 3rd – Jody Grant
Day 2 of competition at The BRITS 2015 also saw Max Thidling and Stephanie Gehrig take their first titles in a day of intense competition. As flurries of snow cleared to bring bright skies to Tignes, 75 snowboarders took to the formidable Col Du Palet cross course to fight it out for the 2015 British Snowboardcross championships.
The top of the course buzzed with excitement as runs got underway, as groms, seasonaires and seasoned racers all came together to fast on their snowboards! Two timed runs qualified each of the riders into the 4×4 racing across 5 age categories. The high energy racing which makes Snowboardcross a fan favourite was present from the quarters right through to finals, but the class field made sure the racing was clean and that the fastest and most savvy racers shone
In the men’s race, it was time for last years Bronze medallist to move up a couple of notches, and into the limelight. Nineteen year old Max Thidling wasted no time in his first season of adult racing and dominated right from his first qualifying run to the overall final. Chasing him all the way was the 2014 champion Kyle Wise. Until today, Kyle held the British, Indoor, English, and Scottish Snowboardcross titles, but it was not to be his day and slow getaway in the final saw his lockout of titles come to an end in Tignes. His speed was still more than apparent, and managed to reel in 2 places after going through the first corner in last to make his way onto the second podium spot. Closing out the podium was Si Nicholson, who forwent his Masters categorisation to take on the younger men with an incredible turn of speed, claiming the bronze. Disability Snowsport UK athlete Ben Moore was competing alongside able bodied athletes, and showed off some epic speed. Without the use of his left arm, he was at an obvious disadvantage out of the gate, but once on course his incredible pace saw him into the small final, and to an 8th place finish.
In the women’s race, Stephanie Gehrig pulled out a full second over her fellow competitors in qually, assuring the first seed throughout the rest of the contest. She used this advantage to great effect through the races, posting a perfect run in the 4x4s. Second on the podium, Anna Richardson picked up the silver just 2 days before she turned 18. The teenager only posted the 4th fastest time in qualification, but showed some serious racing skill to make her way up to 2nd despite not having the easiest seed, and grabbed herself a shiny silver early birthday present. Coco Merz closed out the podium with a solid days racing to claim the bronze.
Stephanie was clearly buzzing with excitement after her win: “I’m so excited to win at my first BRITS, and just want to thank everyone for all the support, especially my sponsors and the British and Swiss Cross teams”
Outside of the overall category, the racing was still incredibly competitive, as groms to granddads took on the course and each other. Down in the under 12s, mini shredder Mia Brooks steered her crazy custom swallow tailed board to victory, before claiming her gold medal in rock-star shades. The men’s Masters category was one of the most closely fought of the day, with locals fighting tooth and nail to claim the gold, which eventually went to Ian Sanderson. The camaraderie displayed amongst the entire field was incredible. There were hugs and kisses between the female finalists as they crossed the line, and plenty of beers and laughs at prize giving, showing that the competition stays on the course, and that the cross community is as strong as ever.
British Snowboardcross Championships Results
Men Women
1st – Max Thidling 1st – Stephanie Gehrig
2nd – Kyle Wise 2nd – Anna Richardson
3rd – Si Nicholson 3rd – Coco Merz
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).