| Pushing the Limits at Nissan Tram Face Squaw Valley USA, Third Stage of the Freeride World Tour |
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| Events - Reviews | ||
Ski Men: Henrik Windstedt (SWE) Snowboard Men: Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) Ski Women: Jaclyn Paaso (USA) Snowboard Women: Shannan Yates (USA) Squaw Valley, USA – March 1, 2010 – The third stage of the Freeride World Tour was held today Monday on the Silverado venue in Squaw Valley USA. With its playful terrain the riders put up a great show for the hundreds of cheering locals, pushing the limits with a ‘best of two runs’ format. The high point of the day was the women stepping up the game with a great level of riding, taking the same big cliff jumps as the men and creative line choices. Local Squaw Valley skier and Freeride World Tour wild card Jaclyn Paaso was without a doubt the biggest crowd pleaser. She took a massive cliff jump at the bottom of the face, faster and higher than most of the men, challenging them for the second heat. Three out of the four winners today (Windstedt, de Le Rue, Paaso) have scored enough points to climb to the top of the overall Freeride World Tour Ranking 2010, before the final stage Nissan Xtreme by Swatch in Verbier, March 20. Official Podium Results from the Nissan Tram Face, Squaw Valley USA: Men Ski 1- Henrik Windstedt (SWE) 2- Aurélien Ducroz (FRA) 3- Reine Barkered (SWE) Women Ski 1- Jaclyn Paaso (USA) 2- Ane Enderud (NOR) 3- Ingrid Backstrom (USA) Men Snowboard 1- Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) 2- Matt Annetts (USA) 3- Ryland Bell (USA) Women Snowboard 1- Shannan Yates (USA) 2- Aline Bock (GER) 3- Susan Mol (USA) The Competition Format Nissan Tram Face: The Best Score Out of Two Runs Founder and event organizer Nicolas Hale-Woods (SUI): “The majority of the athletes were really happy with the two-run format. It was a great opportunity for the sport to allow faster progression as the riders would attempt more tricks and push their limits more than if they only would have had one chance. And the good news is that no one would do anything dangerous above his or her abilities. We saw some amazing riding today.” Head Judge Ski - Eric Seymour (USA): About Winner Ski Men - Henrik Windstedt SWE (winning with 2nd run) “Henrik showed the most progressive run of the day, throwing a giant backflip off the start straight into a big 360° (full rotation). He skied very fast and smooth all the way to his final air – a 45 footer (15 metres), which he landed perfectly. He managed to mix both new school freestyle and big mountain skiing.” About 2nd Aurélien Ducroz FRA (best score 2nd run) “He skied the most technical run of the day with a unique line on the top section through very exposed terrain and then landed clear into a narrow chute from a big technical jump at the bottom.” About Winner women ski Jaclyn Paaso USA (winning with 1st run) “Jackie went bigger than any of the girls! Skiing a fluid line landing a first jump before taking the 45 footer (15 metre cliff) at full speed, and managing to land on her feet.” About 2nd Ane Enderud NOR (best score 1st run) “Ane skied the most technical line of the women and she was very fast and fluid through the exposure. She came down in complete control and landed her jumps clear.” Head Judge Snowboard - Xavier Jordan (SUI): About Winner men snowboard Xavier de Le Rue FRA (winning with 2nd run) “A fantastic run! Xavier took a committed line with great speed and without any hesitation, starting off with a “360 front side” (full rotation), then jumping a double cliff and finishing off with a unique cliff jump at the bottom, high and exposed – everything executed without any errors.” About 2nd Matt Annetts USA (best score 1st run) “The score was really tight between the first and second place. Matt chose an original line with an impressive double cliff jump in the end, riding very fluidly.” About Winner women snowboard Shannan Yates USA (best score 1st run) “Shannan came directly from winning the North Face Snowboard Masters in Kirkwood yesterday and had a fast and solid run with several clean jumps. Impressive!” |
