Under bluebird skies and the Sierra montain's famed sunshine, The Vans Cup at Tahoe wrapped up on Sunday, March 2 2008 in epic style with the Superpipe contest - as I witnessed more monster airs, masterful spins and hand-over-mouth-moments than I've ever seen at a snowboard event. And, especially for the women, showcased a new generation of pipe queens who promise to change the face of women's riding.
Once again, after packed out qualifiers, the Women's Final took place first, only after a frenzied practice run. With a mixture of known pro names (Norwegian Roxy riders Lisa Wiik and Kjersti Buass, Burton's latest International team rider Elena Hight and Rail Jam winner Molly Aguirre) plus newcomers (Lizz Beerman, Meg Pugh, Mackenzie Matters, Allyson Carroll, Leslie Glenn and Autumn Rose) it was an interesting finals.
Under cooler spring temperatures the pipe was riding fast, as Molly, fresh from her Rail Jam win, charged throwing some big backside airs, a solid first run which showed first place potential - until her legs lost it and she hit the flat, damaging her foot and sitting out the final run. She managed fourth.
Personally I loved Kjersti Buass's lofty style, which took her to third place: classy inverted 540s and 720s, plus Haakon flips and going huge out of the pipe walls. With back to back 540s, plus long held grabs, consistency paid off for young gun Lizzy Beerman who took second. But it was seventeen year old Elena Hight who took the crown with massive straight airs, backside and frontside 540s spins, linked with a 720 and the only 900 spin of the day - which won her a $14 000 first place cash prize. Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark watch out - your latest team mate is right behind you...
After an already phenomenal women's final, the guys runs were like a superman stuntman trials. Local lad Andy Finch already had the crowd's full support, but had hearts in mouths (or mine anyways) by boosting well over 12 feet out of the pipe; after the previous rider stacked on the lip due to the wind picking up, Andy flew out the frontside wall, lost balance, went upside down and I was sure I'd see his brains on the deck. But he compressed his legs, came round, and manage to land - sliding down the transition on his back. His amplitude and death defying antics got him the day's largest air award and fourth place - even if the locals thought he deserved higher.
Swiss rider Iouri Podladtchikov (or iPod as he's been dubbed) best run of three nabbed him 88.3 points out of a possible 100, after a massive 1080, to take third place and $7000. Linking a frontside and backside 1080, then frontside and backside 900s in his first run young Louie Vito took a best run score of 90.3, second place and $14 000. But with his lazy style and easy looking huge airs 2007 winner Danny Kass remained unbeaten: with back to back 1080s, 900s, long tweaked out grabs and some cheeky cutbacks and slashes against the pipe wall he took first with a score of 93.5 for his best run, plus no less than £20 000. Not a bad day's pay for just three runs.
Crazily impressive and packed with progression, set to a rock soundtrack and with a mellow atmosphere, The Vans Cup lived up to it's super fun rep. With the Californian weather adding a sun kissed final touch, and combined with an equally high octane party on Saturday as Burton rider Trevor Andrew played with his band Trouble played, it could almost be the perfect snowboard comp. Then snow and fresh powder arriving the day after? We couldn't ask for more.
Here's the results in full:
Men's Superpipe Finals
1. Danny Kass (Vernon, NJ) $20,000
2. Louie Vito (Bellefontaine, OH) $14,000
3. Iouri Podlatchokov (Zurich, SWZ) $7,000
4. Andy Finch (Fresno, CA) $4000
5. Mason Aguirre (Duluth, MN) $2500
6. Markku Koski (Sievei, Finland) $1200
7. Tommy Czeschin (Mammoth, CA) $800
8. Elijah Teter (Belmont, VT) $700
9. Steven Fisher (St Louis Park, MN) $600
10. Michael Goldschmidt (Boston, MA) $500
Women's Superpipe Finals
1. Elena Hight (South Lake Tahoe, CA) $11,000
2. Lizzy Beerman (Weston,VT) $6,500
3. Kjersti Buaas (Trondheim, NOR) $3,000
4. Molly Aguirre (Duluth, MN) $1500
5. Meg Pugh (Truckee, CA) $1000
6. Lisa Hegertun Wiik (Trondheim, NO) $500
7. Mackenzie Matters (Eagon, MN) $400
8. Allyson Carroll (Truckee, CA) $300
9. Leslie Glenn (Strongsville, OH) $300
10. Autumn Rose (Truckee, CA) $300
Missed the live webcast? Then log on to http://www.snowboarder411.com/Content/Video/VideoResults.aspx?category=13012 to catch up with both the full length Women and Men's Superpipe finals.
Images: Vans
Like this? Then try reading Vans Cup Day 2 | Vans Cup Rail Jam webcast | Vans Cup Rail Jam