February Northwest Contest Mania

February Northwest Contest Mania

February has come and gone and March is almost over. Now that the snowboard season is starting to wind down, it's time to now reflect on some of the memorable contests visited this winter.

Chevrolet Grand Prix, Mt Bachelor, OR. Due to the warm weather on the East Coast, the Grand Prix moved from Mountain Creek Resort, NJ to Mt Bachelor February 3-4^th 2007. Fortunately, it was one of the sunniest weekends the Grand Prix have ever seen at Bachelor.

Northwave/Drake Team rider Nicky Larson at the Northwave/Drake/Venue/Bakoda Booth

The funny thing is that when the weather man predicted sun, it rained, but when it predicted rain, it was blue bird all day. The event consisted of pipe on the first day and slopestyle on the second day. Results for the Grand Prix in Bachelor can be found at:

http://www.transworldsnowboarding.com/snow/news/article/0,26719,1585780,00.html

Another event that took place in the Northwest that can never be missed was the 22^nd Annual Mt Baker Legendary Banked Slalom, February 9-11, 2007. The list of attendees is incredible. But even though there were more pros there than a lot of other events, you don't have to be a sponsored rider to get involved in the action. All categories are invited to participate. Check out results and list of attendees at: http://www.mtbaker.us/lbs/index.html.

Northwave/Drake team rider Stacy Thomas. 4^th place in the LBS Women's Pro division.

After the event there is a huge salmon bake in the parking lot. There's nothin' like a hot meal to finish a nice day in the sun shredding and racing with you friends. Eat for free if you race, but only $7 for a plate. Now that's a steal.

Gretchen Bleiler, Shaun McKay, Mike Tobia, Patrick McCarthy, Will Redd

This LBS was set up in the usual spots. Contestants said that it was slow, and then fast in different places. Towards the end there was a "cork screw" type turn that through a few people off or just slowed them down. Overall riders seemed pretty happy with the whole layout. One day was sunny and one day was rain. But, rain or shine, it was still good times.

One of the most original contests was the Bakoda sponsored event, Sapient ShowCase Showdown, that took place at Whistler, BC February 23-24th. The contest comprised of various terrain park features placed throughout the pipe. The unique course started off on a huge a hip, then ran into some pipe, then continued onto a C-box, then ending with 3 different box/rails to pick from.

Course at the Blackcomb Night Pipe, pretty sick eh.

And, if you weren't that interested in the contest, you could always watch people in flat shoes sliding down the spectator viewing area or just listen to the broadcasters clown on the contestants. Next year, remember to wear Northwave Boots with real rubber soles to avoid human bowling down the pipe.

Northwave/Drake Team at sushi dinner after day one of contest: Nicky Larson, Travis Williams, Jeff Pepperdine and Molly Milligan

This season was full of some fun events with amazing talent. There are always so many great contests going on that it's hard to get out and see them all. Email pictures of some contests you have been in and we'll post them on the web. Info@northwave.com. Please put "Contest Pictures" in the subject heading. Happy riding... enjoy it while it lasts, because summer is almost here.

Thanks to all the team riders, Gord, Dave, Ali Pesemko, Mike, Haley, Matt & Seth Baumgarten, Nick Brown, Jouannet and Graham Turner for all your help at these contests.

23/03/2007 | Posted By: dm | back to news

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February Northwest Contest Mania