Across the Board 26-03-08
Welcome to the latest edition of Across the Board from Snowsport GB which will keep you updated on all the latest information from the British Snowboard team. Along with results, we'll be featuring profiles of the athletes and teams, will hear from the coaches and sponsors and will keep you informed about the main news and events throughout the season.
Sacrifice in Switzerland results in Harington as Europa Cup Champion!!!
British Snowboard Team member Dom Harington made a huge sacrifice last weekend in missing his brother's wedding (albeit with full support of his family) to win the FIS (International Ski Federation) Europa Cup half pipe series. As a result Harrington (23, Leeds) has earned himself a World Cup starting spot which puts him in contention for a place at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Vancouver, Canada.
Harington’s closest challenger, Jan Michaelis of Germany, failed to show allowing Dom to secure the title by the semi finals of the competition. This resulted in a mad dash to the airport in an attempt to catch a plane back to the UK for the reception.
Also competing were Harington’s team mates Jack Shackelton (19, Newbury) and British Junior Squad rider Lee Tarran (15, Nethybridge, Nr Aviemore). Both athletes performed extremely well, Shackelton scoring his 7th top 10 finish this season, and Tarran – who was competing in his first ever Europa Cup, finishing a very impressive 18th.
Jack Shackelton – 10th
Dom Harington – 12th
Lee Tarran – 18th
The wait is over…The Brits are here!
The greatest music and snowsports event of 2008 is finally upon us with the BRITS 2008 about to kick off in Laax, Switzerland. Six days of world class snowboard and freeski action are planned from 29 March – 5 April when Europe’s ultimate winter festival celebrates its 18th birthday at the end of this month. Featuring a combination of DJ’s, live bands and freestyle ski and snowboarding championships, it is an event for all snowsport fanatics.
Set to be the biggest and best yet, The BRITS will feature both the Animal Slopestyle and the Quiksilver Big Air Championships, alongside a line up of three hot new bands that will kick off the inaugural, Ride, K2 and Salomon Live Après Sessions. British bands Kovak, Hey Molly and Bohica will begin each Live Après Sessions in head – banging style.
Together with the new additions on the music line up, The BRITS welcomed new footwear brand Cushe on board as ‘Official Footwear Partner’. Cushe (pronounced Cushy), are a new independent British footwear brand that have emerged on the market, designing style led footwear for demanding freesport inspired outdoor individuals.
Considered as a ‘Swiss national treasure’, Laax is highly regarded within the snowboarding world and is the perfect location for The BRITS. The event is a true celebration of all that is great about UK snowsports and gives the chance for world wide competitors to take on the best of British snowsport talent. The BRITS 2008 is set to attract more talent than ever including Dan Wakeham, Jenny Jones and Dom Harington, to name just a few. The UK competitors look set to deliver a display of the most progressive snowboarding and freeskiing talent that is on offer.
UK top male Slopestyle rider, Sam Cullum is also confirmed to be at the event, competing in the Animal Slopestyle. Widely considered as the ultimate measure of a rider’s all round freestyle ability, the Slopestyle discipline combines technical rails and kickers, all rolled into creative lines and clean landings. Judging by last year’s performances, the 2008 Animal Slopestyle Championships promises to be a major highlight of the music fuelled week.
The closing date for online competition applications is 6pm on Friday 28 March - but if you don’t want to take part in the riding, The BRITS are offering amazing accommodation and events packages!
So…if you want to be part of the action at this year’s biggest snowsports event, you better get your skis on!
Top placing for Halfpipe riders in Valmalenco
After finishing 10th overall at the FIS World Cup Finals in Valmalenco, Italy, Plymouth born snowboarder, Dan Wakeham, has ended his World Cup season on a real high. This is Dan’s best result in the World Cup this year and places him 28th in the world standing.
Dan’s halfpipe team mate, Ben Kilner was also on top form finishing in 20th place - another great result from the Banchory snowboarder. Coverage from the Valmalenco World Cup event, including interviews with Dan, Ben and Zoe, will be aired on Channel 4 at 8am on Sunday 30 March.
Unfortunately British snowboarders, Lesley McKenna and Zoe Gillings, were not able to compete in Valmalenco, after sustaining injuries, keeping them both out of action despite qualifying for the World Cup Finals.
Dan and Ben, along with the rest of the British Snowboard Teams, will be heading out to Laax, Switzerland, from 29 March – 5 April to compete in the BRITS ’08. Following on from the great worldwide successes, this season’s standards are set to soar!
Profile: Leo Addington – World Cup Half Pipe Coach
How long have you been snowboarding for?
13 years
What/who first got you interested in the sport?
Some weird Californian skater and his brother who moved to Calgary and worked at Canadian Olympic Park (COP). He sold me my first board, 163 Santa Cruz with packman bites.
What is you preferred discipline within the sport?
Riding powder, pipe when there’s no powder, jumps when my knees allow.
What type of board do you ride?
Technine 159 Dropin Science and 157 Icon
What have been your best/ most memorable sporting achievements to date?
Working with SSGB
What are your snowboarding aspirations?
Same thing every night pinky, try to take over the snowboard world. Oh, and coach a medal win at the Olympics.
Where is your favourite resort and why?
Whistler/Blackcomb. Best snow, terrain, food, and the village is rad.
How do you prepare for competitions and events?
Make sure the athletes are ready and my boots aren’t on the balcony overnight.
Have you sustained any injuries whilst snowboarding?
Yes many. 7 broken ribs (4 different times), 1 collapsed lung, 2 bad concussions and a torn abdominal wall are the most memorable.
What advice would you give to young people hoping to get into the sport?
Stretch lots, ride more, do it for yourself, and hard work always pays off.
What are your other interests?
Music, surfing (newly), computers, sunshine, driving and more driving
Who are your idols, both on and off the slopes?
Dan Wakeham, Ben Kilner, Sam Cullum, and Angus Leith (oh and Mark Simmers!)
What is your most prized possession?
My mind
Nothing’s going to get in our way…not even the weather!
The British Junior Snowboard Team has recently returned from an exhilarating training week in French resort of Morzine – Avoriaz. British Junior Squad coach and Animal rider, Sonia Shaw, was on hand alongside the week’s guest coach, Ryan Davies.
The week started brilliantly, the riders were newly kitted out in their TSA gear, there was a mass of snow and the newly created ‘Stash Park’ to play in, an excellent introduction to the home of many of the UK’s Pro-riders.
On the second night, the weather took a turn for the worse but resulted in fresh snow and powder the following day! This gave the team the perfect opportunity to learn and enjoy one of the biggest rushes of snowboarding - powder and cliff drops! The aim of the Junior programme is to transfer the athlete’s skills from dry or indoor slopes to the snow and to teach them how to ride well in ALL aspects of snowboarding so this was too good an opportunity to miss!
Although snowy, the days to follow had high wind speeds and the majority of snowsport lovers locked themselves up at home. However, the ever keen and thrill seeking Junior Squad took to the slopes with their coaches to build some backcountry kickers in a bowl! With a soft landing this was the perfect time for the athletes to step it up and learn new tricks. Henry Shackelton added a rodeo into his bag of tricks, Will Smith switch backside spins, Dean Horsfield cab 5s and Mark Raper was all about the front-side spins.
This was obviously just what the team needed to help them in the park and the surprise of the week - The Battle of Waterloo - a friendly competition between the local French and British Teams. The Junior Team proved more than worthy and after riding solidly in the amateur section of the competition, three riders were invited to ride in the Pro Category with the British Team at the battle. Mark qualified with front-side 7s, Sam with his MASSIVE back 5s and 7s off the biggest kicker and Ollie with his corked tail 5s. Aimee represented the women once again and although she wasn’t happy with her riding came 2nd.
Sonia Shaw commented “Nothing could hold the Squad back this week. They grabbed the opportunity to ride all aspects of snowboarding with both hands and even managed to get some quality practice in the half pipe before the Brits – good work Team!”
World Junior Championships
After a recent rescheduling of location, the 2008 FIS World Junior Snowboard Championships were successfully held last week in Valmalenco, Italy. From 16 – 23 March, Great Britain’s talented young riders showcased their skills and secured a host of top positions.
Sam Cullum led the way for the Brits making it through to the finals in both the Big Air and Halfpipe Championships. Stomping a huge backside corked 900 in the Big Air Sam continued his for in the Half Pipe the following day throwing down a frontside 720, cab 720, and massive McTwist during the Championships. A special shout out also goes to the younger riders, Sam Turnball, Mark Raper and Lee Tarran who stepped it up and achieved great results off a HUGE 20m kicker.
Junior World Big Air Championship Results, Wednesday 19th March
Sam Cullum – 6th
Jack Shakleton – 45th
Angus Leith – 50th
Ben Kilner – 52nd
Sam Turnball – 61st
Mark Raper – 65th
Junior World Halfpipe Championships Results, Thursday 20th March
Sam Cullum – 8th
Ben Kilner – 13th
Jack Shakleton – 20th
Lee Tarran – 44th
Sam Turnball – 58th
Watch out for..snowboarding..26.03.08
BRITS 2008 – 29th March to 5th April, Laax, Switzerland
