WHITE AND ROWLANDS WIN BRITS SLOPESTYLE!
Day three of the British Freeski Championships saw 35 riders take to the course for the Trespass Slopestyle champs in Tignes. Starting off a little cloudy it soon cleared up making for yet another beautiful sunny day up the hill.
A lively crowd of onlookers & supporters lined the Tignes park to enjoy Britain’s top freeski talent going hammer and tongs for the title. Despite poor weather causing a slight delay to start, the comp soon hotted up as did the weather, and skiers were throwing down and destroying the top notch setup.
As the men's competition came down to the wire, it was Tignes local Dave White who overcame a ripped calf muscle to stomp back to back doubles in the final and take the British crown. Dave only made the decision to enter 48 hours before the comp, and was easily the peoples favourite due to his injury struggles and the fact that The BRITS is only his second ever contest, not to mention his ridiculous skills in the park. Second place was snapped up by the 13 year old super grom Haydyn Fiori. Managing to top qualifying but slipping to second in the finals, Fiori stomped a sick switch 540 in amongst a maelstrom of stylish and technical tricks. Finishing up the podium was Sam Allen (19) who threw an insane cork 9 to take the bronze medal.
Seasonaire, Dave White said the following on his win: “What an amazing day. It was just like riding with mates but with the added bonus of a great crowd.”
On the ladies side it was again the killer young guns who were showing what they were made of. Thirteen year old Madi Rowlands took home the cash and the glory after throwing down a 720 followed up by, the flat down rail, 360 nosegrab, a 540, wallride and another flat down. Close behind in second was local favourite and Banger's and Cash winner Sarah Hoefflin (23), picking up her second cash prize of the week. The final step was filled by another 13 year old in the form of mini ripper Eve Mackenzie.
Here’s what Maddie had to say on her win: “I can’t believe I won – it must have been a bit of an accident that I got so much air! I felt the pressure but it was still amazing fun.”
Honourable mentions go to those who made probably the biggest age range in BRITS history. At just 8 years of age Tom Annis took on kickers and rails that would be daunting to any full grown adult with ease. At the other end of the scale, 58 year old Paul Webb, father of pro skier James Webb had his shot at the formidable course and came out a firm favourite amongst the crowd, garnering easily the biggest cheer of the evening at prize giving.
Trespass British Freeski Slopestyle Championships Results
Men Women
1st – Dave White 1st – Madi Rowlands
2nd – Haydyn Fiori 2nd – Sarah Hoefflin
3rd – Sam Allen 3rd – Eve McKenzie
Get yourself over to www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to find results and picture galleries of all the Snowboard and Freeski action, as well as highlights from across the festival.