The annual OLN Winter Gravity Games, a made-for-TV pro event in the same vein as the X-Games, took place at Copper Mountain, Colorado from March 3 to 6 with Canada’s top skiers and boarders challenging for $374,000 U.S. in prize money. A gold medal in events was worth either $10,000 or $20,000.
Despite the huge payday, some of the top American pros, like Shaun White, missed the event to try to earn quota spots for the 2006 Winter Olympics, but the field was as tough as they come.
In the snowboardcross, Vancouver’s Erin Simmons finished sixth overall, as American riders Leslee Olson, Marni Yamada and Jordan Karlinski claimed the top three spots.
Xavier Delarue of France won the men’s event, followed by Jason Smith and Mike Rosengren of the U.S.
In the women’s skiercross, Brett Buckles of Utah edged out Valentine Scuotto of France, and former Canadian Alpine Ski Team member Sara-Maude Boucher of Quebec. Anik Demers of Quebec was fourth.
The men’s skiercross went to Aspen’s Casey Puckett, followed by Americans Zach Crist and Jakub Fiala.
In the women’s skier superpipe, Kristi Leskinen of Norway took the win over Ontario’s Sarah Burke, while Grete Eliassen of Norway was third. In the men’s superpipe, Ontario’s Corey Vanular took the top spot ahead of Americans Andrew Woods and Simon Dumont. Vernon’s T.J. Schiller, who recently relocated to Whistler, was fifth. Josh Bibby, Schiller’s friend and another Vernon skier who moved to Whistler, was seventh.
In the women’s slopestyle, Janna Meyen of Oregon took the top spot by more than 12 points. Silvia Mittermuller of Germany was second, followed by Izumi Amaike of Japan. Whistler’s Leanne Pelosi was fourth, while Natasza Zurek of Vancouver and Whistler was ninth.
Chad Ottterstrom of Colorado took the men’s slopestyle, followed by Anti Autti of Finland and Idaho’s Wyatt Caldwell.
In the skier slopestyle, T.J. Schiller took the gold medal, edging out Simon Dumont. Quebec’s Charles Gagnier was third.
In the men’s snowboard superpipe, Whistler’s Crispin Lipscomb edged out a field that included the world champion, an Olympic champion, and an X-Games champion to take first place. His run included several 900s and both backside and frontside 1080s.
Danny Davis of Alpine Valley was second, and Risto Matilla of Ruka, Finland third.
In the women’s superpipe, Gretchen Bleiler of Snowmass edged out Americans Hannah Teter and Elena Hight for the win. Amanda Mourant of Whistler was seventh.
Whistler’s Leanne Pelosi also won the women’s snowboard rail jam, which wrapped up the Gravity Games.
