Wednesday, March 5, 2008

From here to fraternity

Boarders bond on and off the slope


By JODY ZARKOS
Express Staff Writer

The saying is you can't judge a book by its cover, and the saw works for snowboarders, too.

As bad as some of the outfits displayed on the white carpet of the USASA Intermountain Snowboard Competition in Sun Valley were, the kids were just that good during USASA Intermountain slopestyle and halfpipe events on Warm Springs Saturday and Sunday.

"We just try and find the most heinous outfits we can," two-day champion Chase Josey said, sporting some solid blue coveralls you usually see at full-service gas stations. "I got these for Christmas."

Josey also unwrapped both wins in the Breaker Boys class.

He said he threw a 540 and 720 in the halfpipe win, but pulled off a 900 in practice, which is just what Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation snowboard director Andy Gilbert wants to see.

"When the session is over and it's been fun, the sun is out and the stoke level is up, is when great things happen," Gilbert said. "The kids can really make a lot of progression just messing around with each other."

All of the Sun Valley kids and coaches have been working hard this season, and the time spent in practice paid off for the final Intermountain Series freestyle event of the season.

Hailey Rheinschild joined Josey as a two-day class winner. Local single event champions were Kaitlyn Farrington, Scott Pike, Ali Appleton, Mal Prior and Heather Black.

"It was nice the older riders like Kaitlyn, Scott and Kenny came out and supported the series. That group of Open Class riders has progressed past the grassroots stuff. When those guys show up, it is more like an exhibition and they are showing the younger riders where they need to go," Gilbert said.

Farrington flew in from Calgary, Alberta, Saturday, the day after she placed 11th in a World Cup halfpipe. She said, "It's just fun to be with the whole team for a change."

Josey concurred, "Just seeing friends, having fun and shredding at home is great."

The Beverly Hay Cup, awarded to the Junior or Youth rider with the best combined results, was given to Ali Appleton and Colton Jones.

"Beverly Hay has just been an angel for our program," Gilbert said. "We really appreciate all she has done for us, as well as our coaches, parents and volunteers. Everyone went above and beyond this weekend. On Saturday, we had 200 people out for a broomball party at Atkinson Park. It was awesome."

Intermountain Snowboard Director Michael Bell thought the event and venue were awesome as well.

"I love Sun Valley because of the history of the SVSEF and its commitment to its kids and being a host club. They knock socks off of everyone else," Bell said.

The event attracted close to 100 riders per day. Sun Valley team members now wait to find out if they have qualified for the 2008 USASA National Championships at Copper Mountain, Colo., March 29-April 5. Gilbert said lists should be out this week.

Slopestyle/Halfpipe results

Open Class women—Kaitlyn Farrington DNS/1.

Open Class Men—Scott Pike 4/1; Kenny Ballou 2/2.

Grommet Boys (8-9)—Bryce Gillespie 3/2; Dehner Figge 4/5; Clyde Montgomery DNS/6.

Menehune Boys (10-11)—Roger Figge 6/2; Jake Whitlock DNS/3.

Breaker Girls (12-13)—Hailey Rheinschild 1/1; Taylor Figge 3/3; Noelani Garing 4/4; Megan Jones DNS/5; Gabrielle Gibson DNS/6; Hayley Murach DNS/7.

Breaker Boys (12-13)—Chase Josey 1/1; Ryan Roemer 6/4; Andy Mallea 7/15; Josh Morell 8/8; Harrison Fitch 9/17; Jesse Forgeon 10/14; Nathan Kniffen 15/10; Cole Caminiti 16/13; Michael Nero DNS/12.

Youth Women (14-15)—Ali Appleton 1/3; Josie Bunce 4/2; Bria Gillespie 5/4; Kathryn Caminiti 6/6.

Youth Men (14-15)—Colton Jones 2/3; Mal Prior 5/1; Hayden Burdge 6/9; Cameron Murphy 7/14; Ross Bird 8/6; Cody Swenke 10/12; Gavin Admire 13/13; Sam Strong 14/10; Reed Burdge 15/5; Matthew Caroline DNS/17.

Junior Women (16-17)—Heather Black 2/1.

Junior Men (16-17)—Scott Fairfax 2/6; John Martin 9/5; Rusty Williams 11/9; Britton Stevenson 12/11; Wyatt Bunce 14/2; Cary Reinemann 16/8; Quinn Baser DNS/3.

Skier Boys (11-13)—Tanner Josey DNS/3.




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