After three on-mountain contests and a talent show of sorts, 20-year-old pro snowboarder Bev Vuilleumier from Incline Village, Nevada edged out a field of top female skiers and riders to win the second annual If Ullr Was A Girl competition hosted by Whistler-Blackcomb. She faced a group of 15 other skiers and riders, with a panel of judges looking on.
Vuilleumier was third in the big mountain event, third in the superpipe, first in the slopestyle and fifth rapping in the Ullr Unleashed talent competition, to finish with a score of 52 points.
“The competition was a lot of fun, and it was a tight race,” said Vuilleumier, who was competing in the event for her second year. “Everyone killed it and we all had a good time. I was so stoked and happy, but shocked because I never really thought I was going to be the lucky one to walk away with the title. I was so excited to be up on stage with all of my friends. That meant a lot to me.”
For the win, Vuilleumier picked up the $25,000 cheque and stylish Viking helmet. In addition to being a pro snowboarder, Vuilleumier is a business student and plans to use her winnings to help with her competition costs for next year.
Second overall was national team snowboarder Dominique Vallée, who performed a piano solo in the Ullr Unleashed segment to finish with 50 points. RobynVan Gyn — yet another snowboarder — was third with 49 points. Jessica Cumming of the U.S. and Ariana Stufano of Pemberton were the top skiers, tying for fifth overall.
The big mountain event took place in Jersey Cream Bowl on Blackcomb in an area called High Test. Local snowboarder Robin Van Gyn and skier Ariana Stufano placed first in the contest.
The superpipe went to Dominique Vallée and Sarah Burke, while Vuilleumier won the Nikita Jib Jam slopestyle event for snowboarders. Kristie Geiles was the top skier in that event.
Talents on display at Ullr Unleashed included an interpretive dance by Michelle Zeller, a karaoke rendition of Sunglasses at Night by Jess Cumming, a rap by Vuilleumier, and paintings by other participants.
Ullr is the legendary Norse God of snow, and the If Ullr Was A Girl contest was created to celebrate the top women in skiing and snowboarding. Last year the winner was skier Grete Eliassen.
