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RFlett_Rattlecat_Day1_2016Ryan Fleet

Words: Tom Honey

The Rattlecat cup is the best unknown banked slalom in the world. It may not be as talked about or have such high profile attendees as the Baker Banked or Dirksen Derby, but what you get is an incredible course being ripped by unknown destroyers, and a heavy booing during awards if the locals don’t like you.

The innaugural course was far looker’s left, and each year since it has gradually migrated across the mountain from natural gulley to natural gulley. Red Mountain, BC has over 4000 steep, deep, snowboardable acres, so there is plenty of terrain left to choose from.

RFlett_Rattlecat_Day1_2016-6Ryan Fleet

This was the fourth year for the Rattlecat Cup, but the location of the course has changed each year, bringing with it, new turns, berms, pumps and jumps.

Starting from scratch every year, Scott Reynolds — multiple Baker duct tape winner — and Conner Martin, are the men behind the course, while Scott’s wife, Candy, manages registration and the start shack, with assistance from numerous volunteers who make it all happen.

This year, the event was greeted with precipitation on Saturday, and by Sunday, there was so much pow that the start list was thrown out the window and anyone was allowed to drop in any order so race runs could be squeezed in between powder turns.

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Though the Rattlecat Cup is more about bringing friends together, riding powder and raising money for the Central Snowboard Acadamy than it is results, the rankings deserve a mention because it is, after all, a race. The awards ceremony is something else — maybe the only snowboard event that has as much friendly booing as it does cheering and clapping — and no one got louder boos than Scott Reynolds who pulled a Travis Rice and won his own event. Those extra practice runs during the build might have helped. Stephanie Haines took top spot in the women’s category for the fourth year in a row maintaining her undefeated record at the Rattlecat.

RFlett_Rattlecat_Day1_2016Ryan Fleet

Jeff Caldwell journeyed up from Seattle to stand on top of the podium in the Men’ s 36+ class. winning himself a custom shaped pow surfer, on top of the second board he drew in the raffle. It’s safe to say, Jeff’s trip was worth it.

Snowskate and switch categories add additional excitement to the event. The switch category is a $10 buy-in, with half the money going to the winner and half to the volunteer gate judges and diggers. It is an open class, comprised of contenders from both the men’s and women’s categories. Riding backwards through forty tight, hand-shaped berms and a couple mandatory hips is no joke and is a real show of technical riding skill, notable results included Stephanie Haines in second place overall and Jonny Michaelchuk who not only posted a solid switch time, but won his U15 age group.

RFlett_Rattlecat_Day2_2016Ryan Fleet

To stay on your feet for a whole run through the course on a snowboard is a feat, but to do it on a snowskate is something else entirely. Jesse Blackstaffe already has numerous winners’ forks to his name, and this year he added another to his collection, with a time not far off from the snowboarders.

Don’t miss the Rattlecat Cup round 5 in 2017 — unless you’re afraid to get booed off the podium — it will be the biggest and best one yet.

For full results and information on next year check https://www.facebook.com/events/539388452896886/

RFlett_Rattlecat_Day2_2016Ryan Fleet

Results

Female 16-35
Stephanie Haines 1:40.64
Hannah Bilodeau 1:54.83
Laura Jackman 1:54.97

Male 16 – 35
Scott Reynolds 1:37.08
Tom Pitman 1:38.30
Danny Saint 1:38.44

Switch (open)
Tom Honey 1:54.95
Stephanie Haines 1:55.00
Scott Reynolds 1:57.22

Snowskate
Jesse Blackstaffe 2:05.25
Kyle Phillips 2:11.98
Dan Brett 2:20.32

Female Under 15
Alex White 1:57.92
Alina Stevans 1:58.19
Angelica Ross 2:33.96

Male Under 15
Johnny Michealchukk 1:49.96
Leif Stein 1:56.27
River Murphey 2:00.18

Female Over 36
Rachel Newton 1:51.91
Shantel Titheriggi 2:08.89
Jess Williams 2:15.17

Male Over 36
Jeff Caldwell 1:47.29
Todd Schlosser 1:48.24
Kyle Phillips 1:48.53