On Monday the Michigan-based 17 year-old impressed the judges in Falls Creek’s monster-sized slopestyle course, laying down a stylish and technical run during a day where tricky conditions and increasing winds threatened to call-off the action. And it was this late-season cold front and snowfall that hit the Australian Alps which ultimately didn’t allow the final day of slopestyle competition to proceed.  

After waiting the two full days allowed in the weather window, gale-force headwinds and icy conditions still plagued the course: 70kph winds buffeted Falls Creek early this morning, and by 10 AM the headwinds had only decreased to 55kph, making it still too dangerous for riders to hit the big jumps at high speed.

 

“Winning Stylewars 2014 feels pretty good!” Kyle Mack said after collecting his $3000 winner’s cheque. “It’s the second contest of the year, so it’s definitely a good way to start the season. The course set-up was awesome. The takeoffs and the landings of the jumps really matched up, and the rails were good; it was a fun course. I really wish the second day and finals could have happened, so that everyone could have thrown down heavier runs, and I could have landed the run I wanted to try.”

 

On Monday Kyle Mack’s winning run included a super-stylish Backside 1080 Japan Air, followed by a smooth Frontside 720 off his toes, a technical Switch Wallride-Switch Backside 180-out on the final feature.

 

“My Australia trip has been a lot of fun,” Kyle continued. “It’s been awesome to check out Perisher and Falls Creek and everything in between. It’s a beautiful country, and hopefully I’ll be coming back next year for The Australian Slopestyle Tour.”

 

After Monday’s day of competition, Ireland’s Seamus O’Connor secured the Stylewars runner-up position ahead of USA’s Asher Humphreys. And Australia’s highest placed competitor was Victorian Tim Laidlaw.

 

“The Australian Slopestyle Tour is great for all us Aussie riders,” said ninth-placed Tim Laidlaw. “It brings all the international snowboarders out here, and we’re able to ride with the best in the world and really push our riding. The Mile High and Stylewars are some of the best competitions in the world, especially the world-class parks we are able to ride on. And with the jam session format of the competitions we’re really able to shine – to show our true skills without the normal pressure.”

 

The Women’s slopestyle event did not run after the female riders voted to wait for better conditions, which unfortunately did not eventuate.

 

But the Stylewars action will continue tonight with the famous 28

Stairs Rail Jam on the custom-built stair set-up in the Village Bowl from 7-9 PM, followed by the closing party inside The Frying Pan Inn.

 

RESULTS:

Men’s Slopestyle:

1.    Kyle Mack (USA) – $3000

2.    Seamus O’Connor (IRL) – $2000

3.    Asher Humphreys (USA) – $1000

 

Women’s Slopestyle:

Did not run