Mammoth Locals Dominate GS Event in VAN’S Unbound Freestyle Series
For the first time in eight years, Giant Slalom took center stage as one of five featured events in VAN’S Unbound Freestyle Series. Blue skies and packed terrain set the backdrop for this January 12th race, as 35 competitors went head to head to qualify for the USASA Nationals. This year’s addition of Slalom and Giant Slalom (GS) completed the freestyle events which have long included Halfpipe, Boardercross and Slopestyle.
According to Head Snowboard Coach, Benjamin Wisner, the event was a huge step forward for Mammoth’s local athletes. “Our team did extremely well, especially considering this is the first time this style of event has taken place in the Series. We could not have asked for better conditions, with the sun shining and the snow groomed to perfection. It was the perfect day for racing.”
Under his direction, the Unbound Snowboard Team made up 95% of the GS roster. Other Mammoth Team Coaches managing the event were Dave Quirk, Brandon Sceaffer, Leigh Ann Battista and Paula Padilla. Oren Tanzer and the Unbound Park crew helped to shape the GS course suitable for USASA regulations.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m. following a course inspection. Several trial runs had prepared riders for the upcoming race. Red and blue flags snaked the slope, located just below Mammoth’s Chair 26. As a test of speed and control, the two-run event was based on the averaged time of each athlete. Unlike many high-pressure competitions, the USASA events are intended to promote the sport of snowboarding. They are designed to be enjoyable for the competitors, aid in developing their athletic skills and equip them to become qualifiers for national and international competitions.
Dave Quirk, who began coaching in 1996, considers the Giant Slalom competition a morale builder for young athletes. “Despite the final outcome, this event breeds a positive team atmosphere and motivates each child to succeed. It is their willingness to participate that makes them all winners.”
Achieving this level of “participation,” however, takes a great deal of dedication. Those on the Unbound Snowboard Team are required to train from November through March. A typical training week involves between two to four days of intensive riding. The team is divided into two groups, the Development Team (ages 6-12), and the Junior Team (ages 13-17). All team riders are expected to participate in USASA series.
The majority of Unbound team riders tend to be motivated by freestyle elements such as the Halfpipe and Slopestyle Series. The addition of the Giant Slalom competition has been equally beneficial to those who have a passion for speed.
Jessie Harris, who won First Place for girls ages 12-13, said the event gave her an opportunity to showcase her downhill talent. “The Slalom is definitely my best event,” said Harris, 13. “I’m a fast rider and I complete my turns easily. I’ll always love riding in parks and taking jumps but when it comes to one single event, I think I’m best at Giant Slalom.”
Running less than two seconds behind Harris was Holly Millican who believes the secret to a solid race is pushing on the board’s edges for quick, easy turns. Third Place winner, Anna Spykerman, explains, “I just focus on the gate in front of me so that I don’t slip out during the middle of the race.”
Over the years, the Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team has produced some of the best riders in the world. Since the origination of the snowboard team, members have regularly moved on to the US Snowboard Team. Many Mammoth representatives have competed at top-level international events including the Olympics. Over the years, the USASA VAN’S Unbound Freestyle Series has produced star talent such as Olympic athlete Mason Aguirre and Eric and John Jackson.
According to Coach Wisner, the key to maintaining this high level of team
performance is to vary training regimen and keep the focus on enjoyment. “It is not always easy to find that perfect balance between hard work and pleasure,” says Wisner. “I want them to keep their passion without burning out. Some riders want to become professionals while others hope to perfect their snowboarding skills. Ultimately, I try and help each athlete develop to his or her full potential, in whatever direction they pursue.”
Team riders like Spencer Whiting, Zack Harris, and 6-year-old Alexander Lee are athletes with huge potential, says Wisner. Much of their collective talent can be credited to the teaching methods implemented throughout the Unbound program. Leigh Ann Battista, who coaches ages 6-12, says her philosophy is based on team work. “We always snowboard in tight groups, no larger than seven at a time. The concept of ‘wait-and-ride’ not only encourages team work but it also instills patience, respect and discipline.”
The benefit of these techniques was apparent at the January 12th Giant Slalom competition with team riders like Matthew Sandoval earning the highest score for boys during the two-part event. Among the girls, Priscilla Lee and Mary Claire Anselmo each earned top scores in their individual events in this first stage of VAN’S Unbound Freestyle Series.
Following the GS race, an awards ceremony was held at 4 o’clock in the Roma Room of the Main Lodge. Over fifty proud parents gathered in support of the young racers. The top three scoring athletes in each division were awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals.
The awards ceremony concluded with a raffle drawing during which hats, sweatshirts, jackets and t-shirts was given from brands like Billabong, VANS, Quiksilver, Dragon and Allyance, Solomon and Omatic. Envied by all, Kelly Berger won both a Flow snowboard and a Volcom jacket.
Shadowing the success of the Giant Slalom event, the January 13th Boardercross Series took place under Chair 20 at Unbound’s Rail Garden. The event drew in 63 competitors, ranging in age from 6 to 50. Zack Harris took First Place for boys ages 14-15 while Spencer Whiting of San Diego came in first for boys ages 12-13. Rachael Pham took first for girls ages 8-9, with Kelly Berger dominating the competition in the 10-11 year old division. Earning the highest score of the Boardercross Series was John Bennett, who also won the Master Men division, ages 30-39.
The next phase in VAN’S Unbound Freestyle Series will take place on January 26 and 27, as Mammoth hosts the highly anticipated Slopestyle event. Athletes with top scores from all thirteen events will go on to complete at the 2008 USASA National Championships to be held at Copper Mountain in Colorado on March 29 – April 5th.
“These kids are extremely talented,” says Coach Dave Quirk. “At this stage, they are all strong contenders for Nationals. Last year we had several of our riders standing on the USASA winner’s podium. This year, we hope to have just as many medalists, if not more.”
For more information, visit www.mammothmountain.com or www.usasa.org
Story and Photos by Marlise Kast
Event Schedule:
Dec 15 2007 Slalom #1 Mammoth Ski Resort SL|
Dec 15 2007 Slalom #2 Mammoth Ski Resort SL|
Jan 12 2008 Giant Slalom #1 Mammoth Ski Resort GS|
Jan 12 2008 Giant Slalom #2 Mammoth Ski Resort GS|
Jan 13 2008 Boardercross ® Mammoth Ski Resort BX|
Jan 26 2008 Slopestyle Mammoth Ski Resort SS|
Jan 27 2008 Slopestyle June Mountain SS|
Feb 03 2008 Halfpipe #1 Mammoth Ski Resort HP|
Feb 03 2008 Halfpipe #2 Mammoth Ski Resort HP|
Feb 10 2008 Boardercross ® Mammoth Ski Resort BX|
Feb 23 2008 Slopestyle Mammoth Ski Resort SS|
Feb 24 2008 Halfpipe June Mountain HP|
Mar 09 2008 Boardercross ® Mammoth Ski Resort
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