george crosland photo blog

Becasue it is so tech! On the Shark Fin

Matt Mo - full pull on the lift tower

That’s right; the Esurance ICER big air contest is the only stadium snowboard event in the US, kind of like the air and style in Europe. I ttravelled up for the day to check it out: it was a super fun event and some heavy shredders come out to compete. There are all sorts of other activities going on; skate demos, wakeboard demos, lots of booths and so on. Not to mention the people watching. Pretty much an all day event but things got wilder as the day went on. The early part of the day was family time and as things got later - the partiers came out so there was something for everyone.

The jump, with like a 50 foot gap, was way better than last year so the action was better. Unlike most eventas in the US with asshole rules and security, things were chil; the announcers were actively encouraging people to drink and smoke weed. I am not kidding, they were promoting and illegal activity and you know what? I was stoked. By the time the big air finals rolled around and Talib Kwell/Mos Def played, the big crowd was very enthusiastic. Good vibes everywhere. Instead of boring you with more details, read on…

Here is the jump, situated in AT & T ballpark, where the San Francisco Giants play, next to San Francisco bay

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Stepchild Rider Scotty Vine handled big business amongst a heavy group of veterans and newbies in this past Saturday’s event at Bear Mountain in Big Bear California. It seems nowadays that “parking lot” rail jams are more and more common but Hot Dawgs and Hand Rails is much more than that. The course was almost like a slopestyle course with so many obstacles. Kyle Lopicolo said it was “fucking rad” and Marc Franc said “he wishes he was out there” if those guys said that, who am I to say anything different? This event is kind of the season opener if you will. Not only do a lot pros show up to ride, many more show up to hang out, watch the action and hook up with old friends after a summer of traveling to South America/New Zealand or just working on their skateboarding or surfing. Some pros seen hanging out were; JP Walker, Seth Huot, Hana Beaman, Robbie Sell, MFM and more.

The first thing you would notice different this year than last year was how many freakin people showed up and why not? Top pros, fashion shows, chicks, video premiers, parties and such. It was definitely worth braving the drive up there. Braving the drive because a fire was raging across the lake and one of the roads up the mountain was closed. I digress, back to the event. The only real drawback was that the Security was pretty into keeping the fans in line. Drinks were available though, you just had to keep it on the deck, so no big.

If you had the right pass, like the Revolution crew, then you could get up slope side and it was pretty much anything goes on course. Snowboarder’s Pat Bridges was kind of in charge and he said he was having a very hectic day. Dave Duncan was co-mc along with Dingo and he made sure everyone within sight got free beers. I am convinced that the best possible combination of announcers would be Dave Duncan, Dingo and Todd Richards, Todd was not there but Dave and Dingo did a fine job keeping it loose but under control. Dave said he opted to get paid less so he could have an un-limited tab. Dave always does his best to make sure an event is fun.

The action started around 2:30pm with a qualifying jam. Top qualifiers joined those that were pre qualified. All in all the finals included (but not limited to) Mike Burton, Chris Bradshaw, Cory Cronk, Tyler Flanagan, Lucas Magoon, Scotty Vine, Melissa Evans, Desiree Melancolin, Chad Tarbell, Tim Eddy, Lance, Kyle Lopiccolo, Iris Lazz, Keegan Valaika, Jonas Michilot and more. A one hour jam ensued and winners were announced.

It was all hard to follow cuz the action was fast and furious but standout maneuvers included: Chad Tarbell’s insane tricks off the big drop, including a backside 270 – tail-out, Tim Eddy and Kyle’s work on the bottom transitions, Scotty Vine working the whole course (I asked Scott what he did to win he said “I don’t remember”), Scott Stevens was a name that came up a lot with one footers, front 7’s, front flip and more. Lucas Magoon looked like he was cruising, Mike Burton looked solid. Chris Bradshaw looked good till he bruised his femur. The women jammed with the men but were scored separately. When the rapidly melting snow settled it came down to the following. Joey Sexton winning best trick, Melissa Evans getting 2nd and Iris Lazz getting 1st in the girls. Scott Stevens (3rd), Nick Dirks (2nd) and Scotty Vine (1st) took all the men’s prize money.

Hot Dawgs and Hand Rails probably is one of the finest non-natural snow events out there and you know the real snow is coming soon!

Here is the course. The first set of stunts included a down rail, box thing and down-flat-down. The second set had a flat-down box with little rails on the side, a grass gap jump and a big ol’ flat box to big drop. The last set included two quarterpipes, one with a skate style spine the other with a barrel type thing on top

Some of the finest high desert shredders shown here. Cory Cronk and Kyle Lopiccolo. Kyle said he spent the summer in Mammoth skating the Brothers Park and taking care of business

Jonas Michilot is a real rail jammer

Tyler Flanagan pleasing the ladies

Robbie Sell and a dormant chairlift. Robbie was stoked to have his picture taken for Snowboard Revolution

Mike Burton

Keegan Valaika

Dave Duncan only let me take his picture if it had his beer, clipboard and the vert spine in it

The Omatic cotton candy machine was helping to raise $ for Boarding for Breast Cancer

The only man who has enough clout to close a Mack Dawg movie with a 2 trick part. JP was a judge, so was Set Huot. You think they know anything about metal rail maneuvering?

You may think you can do trick like MFM but you can not and you never will!

Scotty Stevens definitely earned third (or better) Scotty said “The park crew did a really good job for early season snowboarding, it was super fun. I usually get really nervous at these events but when you can take a few turns between obstacles it is better”

Snowboard Revolution represent. Dingo kept saying “check Snowboard-Revolution for the story” what an honor indeed for the shout outs by Dingo

Joey Sexton receiving best trick honors

Iris Lazz was nice, she is hot, and can snowboard well; that pretty much puts her in the category of being worthy of marriage. Girls winner

Chris Bradshaw bruised his femur. He said he just “Got back from New Zealand with Lonnie Kauk and Peter Line and that it was the best trip”, I bet

Second place girl’s finisher – Melissa Evans

This dude Lance definitely got the best dressed award. This Method off the box and landing back on the box was pretty sick too

Tim Eddy with a proper frontside rock

Joey Sexton ollies up and over the vert spine

Kyle Lopiccolo with a solid front blunt

Tim Eddy wanted to keep riding when it was over and why not when are they gonna see snow again?

Jonas Michilot back lips it. See you on the hill – The Revolution Crew will be out there

Welcome to the show. This photo of John Cardiel and Christian Hosoi goes out to Ed. The Pool Party tonight was insane. Here are a few photos and partial results to tide you over till the complete story comes in

Chris Miller won the masters division with his amazing style

Duane Peters is the real deal. Here is doing the trick he invented – the Indy Air

Bucky Lasek scored second place this year in an amazing battle – heelflip through corner

Rune Glifberg won it all – again. He deserved it

Pro
1 Rune Glifberg
2 Bucky Lasek
3 Omar Hassan

Masters
1 Chris Miller
2 Lance Mountain
3 Steve Caballero

Girls
1 Cara-Beth Burnside
2 Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins
3 Mimi Knoop

That’s right, Tara Dakides is over 30 and still ripping, heck still winning, the Slopestyle event at the Park City Roxy Chicken Jam was hers. Tara was not the only winner, Torah Bright won the overall Ticket to Ride title as Leanne Pelosi and Jamie Anderson won the best rail awards for the day

Welcome to the show! It was a good time to all who showed. The course was not huge but fun; there was free product for the fans, good vibe, great riders…what else could you want? Hey, think about it. You had the world’s best (and hottest) female snowboarders in one spot. You would not go because…?

Here’s a look at the lower part of the course and some of the vendor booths. It was getting really slow because the temps were warm enough to wear a t-shirt. According to Torah Bright it was “fast and hard in the morning and really soft in the afternoon” Despite the slowness the girls seemed to be having fun and muscled their way through things. Springs days in the mountains are beautiful and the crowds are mellower. Those that do not make it up the mountains in spring are inferior human beings

Conny Bleichler performs a back flip in the upper rhythm section. This section consisted of three fairly small jumps which according to Tara Dakides were “Kind of a challenge not to overshoot the landings”

Here is the final showtime booter, the last obstacle of the course except for the two Zumiez rails

Leanne Pelosi off the showtime booter

Quiksilver TM Brian Craighill shows off the Lib Tech Skate Banana. It has negative camber and unique edges that focus the edge pressure. According to Craighill it works in all conditions. Those guys at Mervin are always doing something crazy!

Hanna Beaman on the final obstacle of the whole course – the flat rail

Lisa Wiik on a box in the rail section between the upper rhythm section and the show time booter. Over-all, three jumps into four (riders hit two) rails/boxes into the showtime booter into the final two rails (riders hit one of two)

This kid had mad steez

Torah Bright had a big weekend, second in pipe, third in slope and TTR overall winner. Torah said “I am so excited, I don’t really have words for it” That was a genuine statement, she was grinning ear to ear. She said this wrapped up her best season so far. She won the contest primarily with her air finesse she said she did “nothing on the rails” Her folks, is “nothing”

Kjersti Buass finesses her way through a 7 on her way to spot number 5

The Chicken Jam chicken can actually ride

Kimmy Fasani grew up in Tahoe but now lives near Park City. That would make her a local right? Her Mom will like this photo, I hope. This goes out to Kimmy’s mom

Tara Dakides, Louie Vito and Chanelle Sladics of Omatic.

You have got to be kidding. This is Torah Bright’s new puppy

Cheryl Maas was last season’s TTR champ. Here she slides through the flat/down/flat

Jamie Anderson continues her podium streak with a second place finish. Jamie is only 16, while Tara is 31, almost twice her age. It is great to see the different styles of riding Tara and Jamie do out there ripping and having fun

Silivia Mittermuller was the only one coming close to pulling 9’s. She was a contender but bails took her of the running

From England – Jenny Jones - 4th place

Tara Dakides with her inverted maneuver. Tara still has the fire. She was actually nervous waiting for the results. Tara even said “This is a big win for me” Some people have that fire forever, like Tara. Most people give in and give up. We need more people like Tara

L-r, Jamie Anderson, Tara Dakides, Torah Bright and Leanne Pelosi. Thanks to the sponsors, Roxy, Zumiez, Paul Mitchell, TTR, Park City, Transworld and Cosmo Girl

Results

Ticket To Ride overall chmap
Torah Bright

Slopestyle
1 Tara Dakides
2 Jamie Anderson
3 Torah Bright
4 Jenny Jones
5 Kjersti Buass
6 Cheryl Maas
7 Chanelle Sladics
8 Hana Beaman
9 Claudia Flirli
10 Vicki Miller

Pipe
1 Manuela Pesko
2 Torah Bright
3 Paulina Ligocka

Best Rail (flat, down, flat)
Leanne Pelosi – back 180 out

Best Rail (flat)
Jamie Anderson, cab 270 on

Pro Men
1 Lucas Debari
2 Seth Wescott
3 Nate Holland
4 Josh Dirkson
5 Ludovic Strohl
6 Temple Cummins
7 Terje Haakonson
8 Dustin Anderson
9 Rob Kingwell
10 Tom Velisek
11 Skye Allsop
12 Derek Wintermans
13 Robert Fagen
14 Blair Habenicht
15 DCP
16 Guy Deschenes
17 Colin Laglois
18 Alberto Schiavon
19 Sammy Luebke
20 Curtis Ciszek

Pro Women
1 Maelle Ricker
2 Victoria Jealouse
3 Gretchen Bleiler
4 Stacy Thomas
5 Spencer O’brien
6 Mari DeBari
7 Marni Yamada
8 Elena Hight
9 Barrett Cummins
10 Kelsey Galt

Pro Masters
1 Carl Cowtan
2 Tom Burt
3 J.D. Platt
4 Paolo Dabbeni
5 Christian Robertson
6 Rob Morrow
7 Ian Beer
8 Emanual Krebs
9 Alex Warbuton
10 Garry Pendygrasse

Super Masters
1 Larry Freeman (age 60 suckers)

Grand Masters
1 JT Taylor

Mid Masters
1 Randy Haugen
2 Bob Klein

Masters
1 Jeff Caldwell
2 Jeff Hambelton

Women Masters
1 Annie Fast

Women Ams
1 Regina Lind

Older Ams
1 Chris Corraline

Young Ams
1 Roger Carver

Juniors
Harry Kearney

Next Gen
Hank Kennedy

3

Sep 30 – Oct 25

Forum That Tour
USA

www.forum-snowboards.com

Oct 25

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Portland, OR

www.burton.com
Oct 26

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Vancouver, BC

www.burton.com
Oct 27

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Toronto, ONT

www.burton.com
Oct 27

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Le Deux Alps, France

www.burton.com
Oct 27

Wolf Creek Opens!
Wolf Creek, CO

www.wolfcreekski.com
Oct 28

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Burlington, VT

www.burton.com

Oct 28

I Heart Box Tour
One Way, Santa Monica, CA 12-3 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Oct 28

I Heart Box Tour
Ultimate, Canton DE, Granby Canada 12-5 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Oct 29

I Heart Box Tour
Herb Bauer, Fresno, CA 12-4 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Oct 30

Burton Consumer Super Clinic
Colorado Ski and Golf, Aurora, CO 6-9 pm

www.burton.com
Oct 30

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
NYC, NY

www.burton.com
Nov 2

I Heart Box Tour
Copeland Sports, SLO, CA 7-11 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Nov 3

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Vevey, Switzeland

www.burton.com
Nov 3

Opening Day
Copper

www.coppercolorado.com

Nov 4

Esurance Icer Air
At&T Park, San Francisco, CA

www.icerair.com

Nov 4

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Munich, Germany

www.burton.com

Nov 5

I Heart Box Tour
Boards in Motion, Auburn CA 12-4 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Nov 7

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
London, England

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Nov 8

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Madrid, Spain

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Nov 9

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Antwerp

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Nov 9

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Stockholm, Sweden

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Nov 9

Opening Day
Mammoth

www.mammothmountain.com

Nov 10

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Milan, Italy

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Nov 10

I Heart Box Tour
Out of Bounds, Reno, NV 12-4 pm

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Nov 11

I Heart Box Tour
Out of Bounds, Carson City, NV 1-4 pm

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Nov 11

Burton For Right or Wrong Movie Tour
Innsbruck, Austria

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Nov 12

I Heart Box Tour
Snow and Surf, South Lake Tahoe, CA 12-4 pm

www.romesnowboards.com

Nov 18

I Heart Box Tour
Santa Rosa Ski and Sport, Santa Rosa, CA 1-4 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Nov 19

I Heart Box Tour
Destination 1440, Berkely, CA 2-5 pm

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Nov 25

Thanksjibbing
Loon Mountain, NH

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Dec 2

I Heart Box Tour
Ground Zero, Natomas, CA 11-5 pm

www.romesnowboards.com
Dec 3

I Heart Box Tour
Chico Sports, Chico, CA 12-4 pm

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Dec 13-17

Chevrolet US Snowboarding Grand Prix
Breckenridge, CO

breckenridge.snow.com

Jan 11-14, 2007

The Session
Vail, CO

www.sessionvail.com

Jan 20-27, 2007

Burton European Open
Laax, Switzerland

www.burtoneuropeanopen.com

Jan 25-28, 2007

Winter X Games 11
Aspen, CO

expn.com

Feb 2-4, 2007

Chevrolet US Snowboarding Grand Prix
Mountain Creek, NJ

www.ussnowboarding.org

Feb 4, 2007

Mount Baker Banked Slalom
Mount Baker, WA

www.mtbakerskiarea.com

Feb 20-25, 2007

Nippon Open
Alts, Bandai, Japan

www.burton.com

Feb 23-25, 2007

Chevrolet US Snowboarding Grand Prix
Tamarack, ID

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Feb 26- March 3, 2007

The Arctic Challenge
Oslo, Norway

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Mar 2-7, 2007

Vans Tahoe Cup
Northstar, CA

www.vans.com

Mar 9-11, 2007

State Farm US Snowboard Cup
Lake Placid, NY

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Mar 10-11, 2007

World Superpipe Chamionships
Park City, UT

www.worldsuperpipe.com

Mar 13-18, 2007

US Open of Snowboarding
Stratton, VT

www.burton.com

March 22, 2007

Last Call with Eastern Border
Loon Mountain, NH

www.loonmtn.com

Mar 22-25, 2007

Roxy Chicken Jam
Park City, UT

www.pcride.com

April 1-7, 2007

USASA Nationals
Northstar, CA

www.usasa.org

April 13-22, 2007

Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival
Whistler, Canada

whistlerblackcomb.com

April 20, 2007

Grenade Games
June Mountain, CA

junemountain.com

May 4-5, 2007

West Coast Invitational
Mammoth Mountain, CA

www.mammothmountain.com

May 19, 2007

Volcom PB & RJ Champioships
Mammoth Mountain, CA

www.mammothmountain.com

Sep 30 – Oct 25

Forum That Tour
USA

www.forum-snowboards.com

Oct 21

K-5 Carpet Slide
Poway, CA

www.K5.com

Nov 3

Opening Day
Copper

www.coppercolorado.com

Nov 4

Esurance Icer Air
At&T Park, San Francisco, CA

www.icerair.com

Nov 9

Opening Day
Mammoth

www.mammothmountain.com

Nov 25

Thanksjibbing
Loon Mountain, NH

www.loonmtn.com

Dec 13-17

Chevrolet US Snowboarding Grand Prix
Breckenridge, CO

breckenridge.snow.com

Jan 11-14, 2007

The Session
Vail, CO

www.sessionvail.com

Jan 20-27, 2007

Burton European Open
Laax, Switzerland

www.burtoneuropeanopen.com

Jan 25-28, 2007

Winter X Games 11
Aspen, CO

expn.com

Feb 2-4, 2007

Chevrolet US Snowboarding Grand Prix
Mountain Creek, NJ

www.ussnowboarding.org

Feb 4, 2007

Mount Baker Banked Slalom
Mount Baker, WA

www.mtbakerskiarea.com

Feb 20-24, 2007

The Arctic Challenge
Oslo, Norway

www.the-arctic-challenge.com

Feb 23-25, 2007

Chevrolet US Snowboarding Grand Prix
Tamarack, ID

www.ussnowboarding.org

Mar 2-7, 2007

Vans Tahoe Cup
Northstar, CA

www.vans.com

Mar 9-11, 2007

State Farm US Snowboard Cup
Lake Placid, NY

www.ussnowboarding.org

Mar 10-11, 2007

World Superpipe Chamionships
Park City, UT

www.worldsuperpipe.com

Mar 13-18, 2007

US Open of Snowboarding
Stratton, VT

www.burton.com

March 22, 2007

Last Call with Eastern Border
Loon Mountain, NH

www.loonmtn.com

Mar 22-25, 2007

Roxy Chicken Jam
Park City, UT

www.pcride.com

April 1-7, 2007

USASA Nationals
Northstar, CA

www.usasa.org

April 13-22, 2007

Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival
Whistler, Canada

whistlerblackcomb.com

April 20, 2007

Grenade Games
June Mountain, CA

junemountain.com

May 4-5, 2007

West Coast Invitational
Mammoth Mountain, CA

www.mammothmountain.com

May 19, 2007

Volcom PB & RJ Champioships
Mammoth Mountain, CA

www.mammothmountain.com