The first ever co-branded Supergirl Snow Pro and Community Cup women’s only slopestyle event went off beneath blue skies in Breckenridge, Colorado on Saturday. Twenty-five of the world’s top, as well as up and coming female riders were invited to take part in this 5-star WST slopestyle competition. A two run elimination determined who would meet top-seeded riders Enni Rukajarvi, Sarka Pancochova, Kjersti Buaas and Silje Norendal in the final. Christy Prior, Stefi Luxton, Possum Torr, Phoebe Novello, Brooke Voigt and Serena Shaw were the riders who rose to the occasion.

When it was go time, Sarka Pancochova, hailing from the Czech Republic, was on. Sarka won with a run she never did before that included a frontside rodeo 720. New Zealand rider, Christy Prior, took 2nd with sick style and a rodeo 7 of her own. Euro X Games winner, Silje Norendal, rounded out the podium in 3rd making Norway proud with her cab 7 and switch backside 5. And fabulous Finn, Enni Rukajarvi, earned the Kicker Audio best trick with a cab 7.

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Chanelle & Shaney Jo from Keep a Breast holding it down in the Eco Village | Photo: Susie Floros

The Supergirl Snow Pro and Community Cup was not your average slopestyle contest. Snowboarder and environmental activist, Chanelle Sladics, had the idea to create an eco-forward event that catered to women, and the Community Cup was born. Rider-driven collaboration was the name of this game. The community of slopestyle riders worked together to design a course that everyone could progress on.

Chanelle was stoked on the end result. “Everyone was smiling, “says Sladics. “No injuries on finals day, there were no complaints about surviving. That’s one of the things we hear a lot at the base of courses, is ‘Oh my gosh, I survived.’ That’s not to take away from the big jump competitions. We need X Games, we need Dew Tour to push us and to guide to us into what we don’t know we’re capable of. We just also need events that are completely catered to the women’s progression.”

The actual riding was half of the equation. Environmental activism was the other half. “I’m super passionate about protecting the snow and the planet that we all get to enjoy,” explains Sladics. “As snowboarders and surfers you see it firsthand… You’re surfing with trash and you’re snowboarding with less snow every year. It’s very apparent and very relevant to take these initiatives sincerely at these events.”

“We were the first plastic-free athlete lounge and course, “Sladics adds. “The athletes signed a pledge against single use plastics for the weekend and hopefully beyond. We gave the athletes everything they need to make sure they’d be able to refuse disposable plastics.” The rider goody bags included To-Go Ware bamboo utensil sets, Klean Kanteen water bottles, ChicoBag reusable bags, Fearless organic chocolate, amethyst crystals, Jake Ducey’s book Into The Wind and of course, glass mugs and straws from Sladics’ family owned company, Simply Straws. Side note: In true family business form Chanelle’s dad makes each straw by hand, radical!

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Eco Livin’ Rethink: Simply Straws Reusables and Green Canteen | Photo: Susie Floros

The Community Cup also created presentations for the riders that included an hour with the eco village organizations: Keep a Breast Foundation, Non Toxic Revolution, Protect our Winters and Plastic Pollution Coalition. They talked about their mission and why they do what they do. “It was pretty cool to see the eyeballs and the light bulbs go off with the girls,” says Sladics. “’Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize my makeup’s toxic, I didn’t realize when I drink out of plastic it’s a hormone disrupter. I didn’t realize how wasteful I am. Because I never thought about the fruit I buy at the store wrapped in plastic and buy the fruit that isn’t wrapped in plastic.’ Simple light bulbs were going off the whole time. Everyone was grabbing their boobs, realizing they never checked for breast lumps and things like that.”

Local group, Colorado Oceans Coalition, was also part of the eco village. “We wanted more local charities, but this year was a perfect fit. They really bridge the gap from the mountains to the ocean in respect to plastic. We really need to be responsible just as much in the mountains as we do at the beach. 80% of our plastic waste ends up in the ocean that’s normally meant to be in the landfills.” “It’s a real deal,” Sladics adds.

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POW! Protect Our Winters so we can ride more pow | Photo: Susie Floros

“The more that people are aware and taking the steps the better,” concludes Sladics. “We really wanted to help and support the athletes with their voice that they have in the world and start getting involved. That’s what we were here to do, to create something we feel will bring out the best in us.”

What was it like going from the competitor’s side of the event to organizing an event?
“I wasn’t quite sure what co-running this event would entail,” says Sladics. “I didn’t know if I was just dealing with the riders or what, but I literally wrote the start list. I was up in the middle of the night writing the start list the night before. I hired the judges from TTR, I created the relationship between Supergirl and the World Snowboard Tour, I made sure that we were a stop. I worked with the athletes on the course and made sure everyone’s voice was heard and made sure all the changes happened with Breckenridge. Breckenridge has been an insane support. We had this conversation with them two years ago and they were ready to jump on it. I really just needed a partner to help me do this. I’ve never done it before. It was awesome to have Rick help guide me and teach me what it takes. I literally had my hand in ever single bucket of this event from printing banners, to media, to approving posters, to inviting the riders, to writing the press release, to inviting media. I had my hand in everything. I learned a ton and it‘s a trip to go from competing last year to that position. I hope the outcome on TV is awesome.”

Supergirl Snow Pro & Community Cup Final Results
Breckenridge, CO — April 6, 2013
1. Sarka Pancochova – 92
2. Christy Prior – 90
3. Silje Norendal – 87.75
4. Enni Rukajarvi – 85.25
5. Kjersti Buaas – 77
6. Stefi Luxton – 75
7. Rebecca Torr – 68.75
8. Phoebe Novello – 66.75
9. Serena Shaw – 50.25
10. Brooke Voigt – 43.5