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12th of March 2003
Slopestyle
Riders step it up to deliver fantastic slopestyle contest:
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High cloud cast a grey pallor across the La Chaux terrain park today, but spirits were kept high by a super-chilled out and enjoyable Slopestyle competition.
While the atmosphere may have been relaxed, the riding was sharp and focused as an international field competed for the Verbier Ride 2003 Slopestyle title.
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"Definitely the best slopestyle course ever in Verbier" said event organiser and local resident, Warren Smith. "Yannick and his boys have done us proud."
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Yannick, infamous Verbier terrain park master, and his crew of 3 pro-shapers managed to produce an exciting and imaginative course for this year's competition.
As White Stuff and K2 sponsored rider, Glenn Parsons, explained "What's great is the number of options built into this course. The variations possible really let the riders express themselves."
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With the Ride Crew up on the hill from 8am this morning setting up the sponsors' banners, closing off the course and generally ensuring the area was safe, the first riders' practice session was able to kick off from 11am. With starter-in-residence, Matt setting the riders off, the next hour and a half was filled with bodies hucking, spinning and sliding all over the hill, as the riders learnt the nuances of the course.
The overcast conditions were not ideal, but with the take-offs and landing highlighted with fluorescent marker, the riders were able to make the most of course. The first option was a choice of three kickers, followed by 3 rail options, then either a major schuss into the biggest kicker or two smaller kickers, before a showboat kicker in the middle of the finish area.
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The judged final began at 12:30 under the watchful eyes of Jörg Johannes, Klaus Polzer, Chris Fecher and Jim Adlington. UK rider, Andy Bennett (Line & Fat Face), summed up the atmosphere amongst the riders: "everybody was really relaxed; there was very little competitive pressure amongst us and that always make for a good Slopestyle."
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With this vibe of mutual encouragement flowing amongst the riders, the competition started hotting up. Australian rider, Ben 'Skinner' Murphy (Adidas Eyewear), set the standard. His virtuosos runs combined super-smooth D-Spin 7s, D-Spin 9s and Cab 180s.
Andy Bennett pushed him hard. Bennett threw his signature Misty 7's and Misty 5's alongside some big stylish 360's. Local riders, Ben and Matteas, also shone their home turf. Both were pulling huge Rodeo 7's and 720s off the assorted kickers.
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Glen Parsons, nowadays also a Verbier rider, was suffering from an injured shoulder.
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Nevertheless he didn't want to miss the chance to compete in his own park, so, despite the discomfort, he kept running the course, throwing down massive Corked 5s, 7s and Cab 180s along the way.
Fresh from his triumphant 6th place in the Freeride, Jason Schutt (Dynastar) also shone in the slopestyle. Smooth as ever, he soared over the jumps pulling styled up 360's and rodeos.
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In the end though, nobody could match Skinner. He took the Slopestyle title
with an incredibly consistent performance. Bennett came second and recorded
another great result for the young British rider. Just ahead of the rest of
the pack in 3rd came Mathieu Nicod, a popular result with the local crowd.
After the event Parsons summed up the day: "It was just a very chilled, enjoyable and successful slopestyle. It's great to see Verbier delivering such a high standard of competition. I look forward to competing again next year.
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Congratulations to the Verbier Ride Crew, TeleVerbier and Yannick and his posse for laying on such a top event!
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© Phil Martin
Writer, Freeskier, Wintersports Media Consultant
email: philmartin@skijournalism.com
mob: +41 79 450 9683
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