Skiboard Triple Challenge 2006 Re-Cap

The trip down across Vermont was a long one. The 6 or so inches of snow made all traffic slow down to almost a halt. Finally after six hours of driving starting out in Montreal, we finally got to the Massachusetts boarder, where literally the snow and bad conditions seemed to stop right as we crossed the state line. From there is was about an hour drive to Wachusset.

Being the bawler that I am we stayed at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel down the highway about 3 miles from from the SBOL motel Roadway Inn. We did manage to take a taxi down to come see Greco, and all the other skiboarders staying there, but when I got there most of them where already asleep! We watched some footage, drank a little and headed back to Best Western.

The next day I got to Wachussets, signed up for the contest where I saw Branden sporting a “I Am A Skiboarder” tee. I dropped a pile of SBMag sticks and headed out. The competition started a little later then planned due to the judges having to recover from the late night festivities the night before. But it gave a chance for all the riders to meet each other and ride with each other, and of course practice a little. Greco was setting up some speakers while the patrol where fencing off the right half of the park for us to use.

Am slope style went first. Unfortunately because of the late start of the event, there was only one run. For me I was hitting some of the modules for the first or second time, so I cased on some things I shouldn’t have. Some Am’s got the guts to try some back flips on the last big air but couldn’t stick it.

Pro slope style was next. Ben Wannamaker, Adam Lynam, Kirk Thompson, Ethan Mitchell all got two runs. Unfortunately Jonny White was out for the day on crutches, but still managed to go up the chairlift and inch down to the park to watch.

From left to right, Dave Lynam, Jonny White, Mike Ponessa, Matt Hien

Back up the lift it was and Am Rail comp was next. The Ams where killing it with disaster 270’s and switch ups down a flat-down box. We sessioned the box for about 30 min. And then the pros did the same box for another 30 minute session. There where a few nasty spills but fortunately no one got seriously hurt.

After that we went down to the big air. The Am’s got the choice to hit two tabletops, most of them opted for the bigger one lower down the hill. The Am’s where going huge on the big air, and got two runs to hit it.

The Pros went next, Ethan Mitchell was the only one to hit the giant right side of the table top with a huge 900 but unfortunately couldn’t stick it, while Ben, Adam and Kirk where doing some stylish hits on the smaller left side of the tabletop. The Pro got a few hits and then we all went down to the lodge.

Pro Rail Jam

Down in the lodge we all found a nice place next to the fire. Ate some food, looked at some pictures and talked while everything was getting set up for the awards and prizes. Jeff Singer of Spruce came to give us his wisdom about skiboard construction. And finally the prizes where given out. The Am’s all got shwag prizes, Ola Loken came down from Holland, uh I mean Norway to give out some skiboards to the Am winners. Jeff Singler had a pair of 120’s to give out and Greco gave out some bindings, tunning kits and wax. Enurshia gave out some shirts and then it was the Pro’s turns to get their trophies.

Here are the results:

Pro’s Rail Jam
1st - Ethan Mitchell (tie)
1st - Kirk Thompson (tie)
1st - Ben Wannamaker (tie)

Am’s Rail Jam
1st - Mike Ponessa
2nd - John Fischer
3rd - Dave Lynam

Pro’s Big Air
1st - Adam Lynam
2nd - Ben Wannamaker
3rd - Ethan Mitchell

Am’s Big Air
1st - Dave Lynam
2nd - Matt Hein
3rd - John Fischer

Pro’s Slopestyle
1st - Ben Wannamaker
2nd - Kirk Thompson
3rd - Adam Lynam

Am’s Slopestyle
1st - John Fisher
2nd - Matt Hein
3rd - Mike Ponessa

The big surprise of the day was a kid named Fischer. He showed up with a demo pair of Salomon Snowblades and blew everyone away with bio spins, and insane switch ups and had a top spot in all three competitions. Keep an eye out for this kid!

Watching the pro’s do their thing.

It’s always great to see a bunch of skiboards riding along side you. Coming from a place where skiboarding is almost non existant except for the occasional old Salomon SB10 or Dynastar Twinboard (and of course a bunch of snowblades) riding with everyone felt like I found skiboard heaven. The Am competition level was so high they could have called it pro. The groms got tips from the more experienced, the cash prize was split between the pros. The attendance during the comp exceeded expectations and the riding level made snowboarders and skiers stop dead in their tracks to watch. This was a first in skiboard history and hopefully the first of many.

Shwag prizes for the Am’s. From left to right: Jeff Singer, Ola Loken, Branden Harding, John Fischer

Big thanks goes out to Greco from SBOL for setting up an epic event, Ola Loken from Loken Industries for all the shwag and coming down from the other side of the pond, Jeff Singer from Spruce for making it out and his words of wisdom, Ben, Adam, Kirk and Ethan and all the Am’s for putting on a great show, everyone who was snapping photos or footage, Ian, Dave and I know I’m missing many, everyone who came out sorry if I don’t remember all your names. And the biggest thanks goes out to all the skiboarders that made it out whether you where watching from the sidelines, throwing big or just getting tips on those rail slides you make what skiboarding is today.

Click here to see some more photos from the Skibard Triple Challenge 2006

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