Words: Seth Hill
As another contest season is upon us, riders from across the nation gather together to demonstrate the rail riding skills so many of us dream about.
On Friday December 10th the lights were lit, the music was bumping and good time were ready to be had by spectators and riders alike. 20 riders plus 4 alternates were on site to throw down for all the people in attendance. Media crews, camera phones, and amazing photographers such as Aaron Dodd’s were there to capture all the action.
Every year as the US Snowboarding Grand Prix comes to a wrap. Invited riders ready themselves to perform their best tricks down whatever features the Copper park crew prepares. If getting invited to this one of a kind rail jam isn’t enough, riders battle to win the title as well as the prize purse Paul Mitchell puts up.
This year Copper presented the riders with a street inspired, 6 obstacle setup, where the possibilities were endless. The set up consisted of a big stair set, housing 3 very trick-able rails. A down flat and a down flat down provided a majority of the action that night. But the 15ft close out is where the money would be won.
Riders such as Zak Hale, Austin Sweetin, Ryan Paul, and a slew of amazing riders put everything on the line during the hour jam session. During this hour riders tried every trick to lock down one of 7 finals spots. Of the 7 that made it to finals no one wanted it more than Yale Cousino as he 450'd his way to the top spot. Joining Yale atop the podium was first year attendee Eric Beauchemin, and Jonah Owen. Each of them put down amazing tricks in the three try final. But Eric’s half cab to BS 540 on the close-out put him one spot higher than Jonah's BS 360 gap on the down flat down.
With all the amazing riders there, I can only imagine how hard it was to judge. So a thank you needs to be addressed to them, as well as all the sponsors. So thank you judges, Paul Mitchell, Go Pro, Copper, and Woodward at Copper.
Stay tuned for the next Paul Mitchell event when it comes through Mammoth Mountain for the Slope Style event on February 29th
