Halifax 2011
The Westbeach Snowflex Series 2011 took Halifax like a wanton hussy…
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Once again the Westbeach Snowflex Freestyle Series returned to the legendary, if a little breezy, Halifax Ski and Snowboard Centre to kick off the series; now entering its fifth year.
After a quick glance at the registration forms it became clear that this was going to be yet another epic contest with some of the best UK skiers & snowboarders making the journey to the now famous kicker; including a small tribe from the exploding scenes at Aberdeen and Bearsden
Halifax - Photos of courtesy of Russ Shea - Dope Shots
Following registration the lifts were running, Skullcandy DJ’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking DJ’s were providing the music with Skullcandy team rider Scott Penman on the mic, it was time for the riders to get their dryslope legs back and get used to the whippy Halifax kicker. However, it didn’t take long until the standard was being pushed to the level we’ve come to expect from dryslope riding. Back rodeo methods from Sam Turnbull, back 9’s from Fin Bremner and Back 7’s from Katie Ormerod, and with Tyler J Harding, Sissy Herant and Grant Donald leading the skiers it wasn’t long before 5’s, 7’s and a few crowd pleasing back flips were being stomped proving the riders were more than ready to start the first 45 minute jam session.
MC & Skullcandy Rider Scott Penman Photo - random
Despite the warm and windy conditions, some of the biggest tricks to be thrown on dryslope were witnessed including double front flips being stomped from both new Westbeach rider Jesse Smith and DC rider Simon Cudlip, massive 7’s and 9’s from young gun Fin Bremner and front rodeos 7’s by one of the most stylish UK riders Matt MacWhirter, but it was Danny McCormick who yet again shone through with an endless list of stylish tricks including cab underflip 5s, huge backside 5’s and frontside 7’s. The skiers amazed the spectators with the level of riding and soon the 5’s became 7’s and the 7’s become Cork 9’s.
With the judges busy making the difficult decision of choosing which of the Mens and U16’s would make it through to the first final, it was time for the first ever Stepchild ‘Child Support’ Rail Jam. With a choice of two rails, a flat down bar and a gas pipe, it was the best rail rider who would walk away with a brand new Stepchild Jib Stick snowboard. With many of the riders honing their rail trickery in the indoor domes the rail standard was mind blowingly high, with Simon Cudlip hopping on half way down the gas pipe with a frontside 180 hardway, switch up, cab 3 out, but it was Marc McClements’ Scottish mentality that eventually secured him the new board, with a huge frontside 270 gap over the flat, after a couple of big slams.
Stepchild Rail Jam winner Marc McClement Photo courtesy of Russ Shea – Dope Shots
Running in unison with the Stepchild jam was the ski rail jam, with three rails to choose from: a down box, a flat down bar and a gas pipe, it was Halifax local Tyler J Harding that kicked things off with a 270 disaster gapping over the flat onto the down. By setting the bar so high it was going to take something special to knock him off the top spot. With many of the skiers honing their rail trickery at the indoor domes, 270 on and 270 off’s have almost became warm up tricks. With the rail standard increasing it was Grant Donald’s final attempt which snatched him the top spot with a super stylish 270 on, pretzel 270 out; resulting in him walking away with a Team Wheelie Bag courtesy of Ellis Brigham.
Mens Ski 1st place - Grant Donald Photo courtesy of Russ Shea – Dope Shots
Following the chilled rail session, it was back to the kicker for the first final of the day. With the top 6 Men, U16 snowboarders & skiers and all the Women going through it was yet another close jam session. With his own version of Halldor’s Lobster flip it was Sam Turnbull impressing the judges but unfortunately he couldn’t quite land it clean enough. Another stand out was Katie Ormerod, one of the top UK women snowboarders at only 14 years old, who perfectly landed backside 5s, 7s and even a couple of crowd pleasing front flips. The skiing totally blew everyone away and with Cork 9’s and Misty 5’s being the trick of the day for many, it was yet another close call for the judges and with only style points separating the riders it was no easy decision.
With the final coming to an end, it was only the top 3 from each category that made it through to a two run super final. For the U16 girls snowboard there was Becky Menday, Cerys Allen and Katie Ormerod. With frontside 180s coming from Becky and Cerys, it was Halifax local Katie, that took top spot with a backside 540 indy and another front flip, with Becky taking 2nd and Cerys, 3rd.
In the women’s category it was yet another closely contested final with Westbeach Snowflex Series regular Liz Osborne taking another 1st position after landing the difficult backside 180 tail grab, and Anna Beswick taking 2nd after just slipping out on a backside 540.
With a list of tricks comparable to seasoned pro’s it was Sissy Herant who took 1st place in the U16 girls ski, stomping a perfect Misty 540, with Anna Vincenti taking 2nd with a 540 Mute, and Madison Rowland’s coming in 3rd. Despite being the only skier in the Women’s category, Zoe Lewis still threw down and landed both her stylish 360’s.
With the U16 boys raring to go it was Matt Correy, Fin Bremner and Matt McCormick that stood at the top waiting for their turn to drop in. With Matt McCormick taking the top spot after stomping a stylish backside 7, leaving Matt Correy and Fin Bremner to battle it out for 2nd and 3rd.
After the first run in the Under 16 Boys ski it was anyones for the taking, with the first three tricks being Cork 9’s tail, Cork 9 and a Cork 7, but it was Tyler J Harding who deservedly took the top spot after his second run with a Cork 1080! With Cal and Harris battling it out for 2nd and 3rd
Photo courtesy of Russ Shea – Dope Shots
With only the Men’s category left to drop in, all eyes were on Grant Donald, unsponsored Joel Melia and David Bilsland. First up was Joel Melia who set the benchmark with a Misty truck, closely followed by David Bilsland who threw the biggest cork 9 of the day, but it was Grant Donald who had the spectators gasping with an amazing Rodeo 540 Screaming Seaman; and as a result taking first place.
After a short wait it was time for the Snowboard Men’s final with Danny McCormick, Jesse Smith and Simon Cudlip claiming their spots in the Super Final. With Danny landing the biggest and cleanest 9 of the day, and Jesse Smith and Simon Cudlip taking slams on both their runs, it was Danny who deservedly took 1st. With no scores recorded for either of the other two finalists, the judges asked for Jesse and Simon to take their runs again. With Jesse opting to go first he stomped another double front flip when it really mattered, with Simon just slipping out on his back 7.
Mens Snowboard 1st place – Danny McCormick Photo courtesy of Russ Shea – Dope Shots
So as the Men’s final brought the first leg of the 2011 Westbeach Snowflex Freestyle Series to an end, it was time to present the winners with a stash of prizes and head down to AKA Snowskate to skate the indoor mini ramp and have a beer.
Big shout out to all the riders, spectators and sponsors, and we’ll see you at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre in October! REGISTER NOW!!
Words: James Box & Sue Garlick – Photo’s : Russ Shea – DOPESHOTS
