European Record for James Thorne at Laax

European Record for James Thorne at Laax
Photo: Nathan Gallagher/Orangebrits.com

Fri 17 March 06

UK snowboarder James Thorne was crowned King of the Orange Air Time, jumping in from a total height of nineteen metres, beating off close competition from Nate Kern and skier Rob Taylor

Today at the Orange BRITS, in Laax, Switzerland, UK snowboarder James Thorne was crowned King of the Orange Air Time, jumping in from a total height of nineteen metres, beating off close competition from Nate Kern and skier Rob Taylor, who both landed their drop from a height of eight metres above the colossal nine metre quarterpipe, but both fell on nine metres.

Scott McMorris, Orange Air Time, Laax 2006

James Thorne, Orange Air Time, Laax 2006The Orange ‘Air Time’ event is a free-fall competition that witnessed British skiers and snowboarders jump from a crane onto a snow quarterpipe. Eight of UK’s most courageous snow sports freestylers - six snowboarders and two skiers - were selected to jump from the platform suspended high above a free-standing snow quarterpipe (curved landing area).

Starting at the qualifying height of five metres above the quarterpipe, the competitors, including Jenny Jones, Scott McMorris, Gary Greenshields, Andy Bennett and Tyler Chorlton jumped one by one, until all competitors bar James Thorne had either fallen or bowed out.

James Thorne portrait, OrangeAirTimeAfter landing his new European record, James Thorne commented, “It’s pretty scary when you are up there, and looking down, the coping seems very far away. Once you are there though, you just prepare and go for it. I was very stoked to land it. What a way to end the Orange BRITS!”

The Orange Air Time event took place in front of hundreds of spectators in the heart of Laax, and was one of the biggest attractions at this year’s event.


Orange Air Time 2006 - Competitors:

Winner - James Thorne, Snowboarder, 24, Norfolk

Nate Kern, Snowboarder, 23, London – Landed 8m
Rob Taylor, Skier, 21, South Wales – Landed 8m
Gary Greenshields, Snowboarder, 26, Edinburgh – Landed 7m
Tyler Chorlton, Snowboarder, 19, Andorra – Landed 6m
Scott McMorris, Snowboarder, 24, Edinburgh - Landed 6m
Andy Bennett, Skier, 23, Nottingham – Landed 5m
Jenny Jones, Snowboarder, 25, Bristol – Landed 4m

James Thorne, Orange Air Time, Laax 2006

Nate Kern, Orange Air Time, Laax 2006

All photos by James Thorne portrait, OrangeAirTime for more information visit www.aimseries.com

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British Championships - AIM Series

11-18 March 06

the final of the Orange AIM Series, featuring the top British boarders & skiers competing in the Orange Brits, Laax Switzerland

Laax, Switzerland
Excellent snowsure resort with a good long season. The slopes are great for freestylers and freeriders alike, as well as suiting beginners. The resort can be slack at opening lifts and the off-piste gets tracked out within hours of a dump.
Freeriding: 80% - Trees & some good off-piste
Freestyle: 85% - 2 terrain parks & huge halfpipe
Pistes: 80% - Great condition & variety
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