Entering one's first snowboard competition of the year in late March isn't often a recipe for success, but Scot Brown was a hit and he'll run with it.
The Whistler resident captured the DC Hit & Run banked slalom event pro men's win on March 27, emerging as the victor over Liam Stevens and Ryan Manning. Brown scored a time of 1:25.00 to best Stevens by 2.71 seconds and Manning by an even three seconds. Competitors all earn a time at the finish, but can win deductions for tricks performed on the course.
Ultimately, Brown combined both elements the best out of anyone to earn the win and the $1,500 first prize while the other podium finishers earned $1,000 and $500, respectively. Austin Sweeten picked up the $500 best trick prize for his front side 720 indie.
"I was just trying to go as fast as I could, really," he said. "I think I got some good points throughout the whole course to do as well as I did and put me in the top."
Brown credited the 270s on and off of the rail and a front side air in the halfpipe as the difference makers.
It was Brown's first banked slalom event, but he felt well prepared with his previous boarderstyle experience. As well, his style of riding generally fit in quite well.
"I do try to do lots of carving anytime I go snowboarding," he said. "I'm always trying to work on my edge control and my board control and turns."
Olympian Spencer O'Brien won the women's pro division over Brooke Voigt and Katie Vogel to earn a cool $1,000.
In the men's 15 and under category, local shredder Finn Finestone ran away with the win over Truth Smith and Tosh Krauskopf while in the 16 and over contest, Kian Esmaili knocked off Dan Barker and Beau Fisher.
Freeride Club athletes perform well in Revelstoke
Whistler Freeride Club athletes hit the podium in Revelstoke on the weekend.
Olivia McNeill took her second victory in as many weeks, taking the girls' 12 to 14 win a week after doing similarly here at the GoPro Junior Freeski Challenge here in Whistler. In the same division, Amanda Constantini, who was third here in Whistler, scored a fifth-place in Revelstoke.
As for the older girls in the 15 to 18 event, Helena Hoppenrath placed second. Rhegan Williamson, meanwhile, took third. For the boys, Eric Peiffer was sixth for the 12 to 14 competitors and Benjie McMaster led the 15 to 18 competitors with a 10th-place pair of runs. Joining McMaster were Thomas Rozsypalek (16th), Luke Lister (17th) and Troy Rozsypalek (19th).
Whistler BMX to unveil logo
The burgeoning Whistler BMX organization will mark another milestone next week.
The club will reveal its logo from Anna Sobeniak Designs during a fundraiser at the Longhorn Saloon on Tuesday, April 5. The event, which will also feature a raffle and silent auction, will begin at 7 p.m.
A few days later, on Saturday, April 9, Whistler BMX will have an earth-moving ceremony at its Bayly Park site in Cheakamus Crossing. The event will take place at 10 a.m.
Gymnasts impressive in Kamloops
Whistler Gymnastics athletes performed well in Kamloops at a March 19 meet.
The athletes were led by Level 8 competitor Ella Crawford, who finished in the top three in every discipline, winning the vault and placing third in all others, including all-around.
Level 7 athlete Katie Faerge placed seventh in her 2002 age group, boosted by a third-place on the vault, while Gracie and Addie Crawford were ninth and 10th in the 2005 age group. Gracie posted a third-place showing on the floor.
As for the Level 6 athletes, Nicole Bollman was second in the 2004 age group led by a third-place on the floor while Téa Cousineau was sixth all-around, including third on the bars. For the 2005 athletes, Andrea Vazquez-Vela took a first place on the bars and took 14th all-around while teammate Annie Sproule was 13th. Meanwhile, for the 2003s, Kaiya Nixon placed sixth, Anna Prohaska was 13th overall and third on the floor and Tessa Juniper managed a third on the bars.
For the Level 4 athletes, Sofia Wright paved the way with a second all-around boosted by a first place on the floor and second on the bars in the 2007 age group. In the 2005 age group, Gabbi Collins was fifth with a first on the floor and third on the beam, while Sakura Lord was ninth, Mardi Williamson 11th (with a second on the vault) and Sophie Firth was 12th. For the 2006s, Charlie Craig was 11th.
Lastly, the Level 3 gymnasts were led by Ella Rouleau, whose first on the bars helped her land a sixth all-around for the 2006 age group. Shauna Murphy was seventh, Luvina Franklin eighth (with a third on the vault) and Rebecca Beaton 11th. Molly Barton was eighth for the 2007s and Kayleigh Sarkany and Neve Maynard were 11th and 12th, respectively. Elly Mitchell, the lone 2008, was 13th.
