UK National Championships results

Fri 25 August 06

19th August saw over 500 competitors and spectators descended upon Milton Keynes SNO!zone for the highly anticipated Orange AIM series indoor Snowboard Championships

On Saturday 19th August over 500 competitors and spectators descended upon Milton Keynes SNO!zone for the highly anticipated Orange AIM series indoor Snowboard / Skiercross Championships. With the highest number of competitors, in the series, so far and top UK names such as, defending British snowboardcross champion Laura Berry, Olympian Zoe Gillings and British Slopestyle Champ Nate Kern competing, adrenaline levels were high and competition was fierce. Over on the nursery slope 100 beginners inspired by the high-speed action took advantage of the FREE lessons that were up for grabs.

A new Orange AIM Series record was set in the afternoon with over 110 snowboarders, taking to the slope to compete for the hotly contested snowboardcross title. Riders went head-to-head with some spectacular wipe-outs along the way, symbolising the fast and furious nature of the four-way races. In the men’s final a tussle out of the gates left Michael Arrowsmith leading the pack to take first with second going to Tim McGregor and joint third went to Mathew Gibson and Paul Whittler.

In the women’s Snowboardcross Championships the final ended up a head-to-head race between defending champion, Laura Berry and Olympian Zoe Gillings. Recovering from her late start Laura gave Zoe the advantage she needed to set the pace and demonstrate her well practiced technique. Laura clawed her way back into the race with victory back in her sights before unexpectedly tumbling on the penultimate turn along with Hazel Griffiths who was hot on her tail. Zoe crossed the line victorious, followed by Hazel Griffiths and Laura Berry, producing one of the most memorable moments of the day’s competition.

In the Slopestyle Jam Session standards were high, with solid textbook runs being thrown down by younger riders, Simon Foster, Sam Cullum and Jamie Nicholls. 2006 British Slopestyle and Big Air Champ Nate Kern proved himself worthy and cab 540’ed the jump to take the senior men’s title. In the women’s jam it was Berry that stood out again, impressing judges and riders alike to take first.

Men’s Snowboardcross

1st – Michael Arrowsmith, Weymouth
2nd – Tim McGregor, Glasgow
=3rd – Mathew Gibson, Sheffield & Paul Whittle, Somerset

Men’s Slopestyle Jam

1st Senior – Nate Kern, Surrey
1st Junior – Sam Cullum, Bracknell
1st Youth – Simon Foster, Selby
1st Kids – Jamie Nicholls, Bradford

Women’s Snowboardcross

1st – Zoe Gillings, Isle of Man
2nd – Hazel Griffiths, Worcester
3rd – Laura Berry, Milton Keynes

Women’s Slopestyle Jam

1st – Laura Berry, Milton Keynes
2nd – Emily Richardson, Surrey
3rd – Vickie Pullin, Gloucestershire

The next event on the Orange AIM Series Calendar is the Artificial Slopestyle Championships at Bracknell Ski Centre on 2nd & 3rd September 2006. For more info check out: www.orangeaimseries.com

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