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Pros to defend titles at World Snowboarding Championships

This weekend’s World Snowboarding Championship is not just another event on the pro snowboard tour – with both the competing Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) and International Snowboard Federation (ISF) tours all wrapped up and the at

This weekend’s World Snowboarding Championship is not just another event on the pro snowboard tour – with both the competing Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) and International Snowboard Federation (ISF) tours all wrapped up and the athletes free to go where they choose, the Whistler event is shaping up to be a true world championship.

And with US$260,000 on the line over four event, you can be sure that none of the athletes will be holding anything back in either of the three disciplines showcased: Slopestyle, Superpipe and Big Air. Organizers have also added a Jib Jam, a one hour jam session in the park where the winner is voted on by the riders themselves.

Slopestyle

Prize purse: US$75,000 ($45,000 men, $30,000 women)

The list of female athletes competing in the Slopestyle (held April 18 and 19) included last year’s winner Tara Dakides (California), who is arguably one of the most innovative, nervy, and technically perfect riders in the world right now. Janna Meyen (California) and Jaime MacLeod (New Hampshire), second and third at last year’s slopestyle with huge grabs and spins, were also be on hand to give Dakides a run for her money. Other riders included Vancouver’s Natasza Zurek, Marni Yamada (Washington), Annie Boulanger (Quebec), Jessica Dalpiaz (Utah), Shannon Dunn (Illinois), Kim Bohnsack (New Jersey), and Roberta Rodger (Vancouver). There were 10 women in the contest, plus another eight on the stand-by list.

The men’s list was also long and distinguished, with 24 riders and nine stand-bys.

Jussi Oksanen of Finland was back to defend his title. Kevin Jones (California), second in last year’s contest, was back, as was third place finisher Jacob Soderqvist (Sweden). Whistler was well-represented with Chris Brown, who grew up here, Quebec transplant David Carrier-Porcheron, and Kevin Sansalone. Vancouver rider Scott Risto was also competing.

Other big name riders included Travis Parker, Todd Richards, JP Walker, Jason Borgstede, Jeremy Jones, Erik Leines, BJ Leines, Chad Otterstrom, Shaun White, J.F. Pelchat, and Josh Dirksen.

Superpipe

Prize Purse: US$75,000 ($45K men, $30K women)

Last year’s World Championship Superpipe was one of the first contests to use the new superpipe format, with 18-foot walls and room to set up. Judging by the tricks that the competitors were puling out, it was a huge success.

Superpipe contests have since become the norm, and competitors are starting to feel right at home. This year’s contest, with the qualifier on April 20, and the finals on April 21, could go even bigger than last year.

Trevor Andrew and Quebec transplant Guillaume Morisset were the only Whistler resident to get a bye into the finals, but the qualifier list is thick with locals, including David Carrier-Porcheron, Mike Rencz, Daniel Migneault, Guy Deschenes, David Melancon, and Jesse Fulton. Andrew Hardingham and David Aubry made the stand-by list.

Japan’s Rio Tahara, last year’s champion, will be back, as will Banff’s Justin Lamoureux, who finished second last year, and third place finisher Therry Brunner of Swizerland.

Other big names in the men’s contest include Brett Carpentier (Canada), Daniel Franck, Keir Dillon, Ross Powers, Todd Richards, Gian Simmen, Magnus Sterner, Shaun White, Stefan Karlsson, Tommy Czeschin, and Abe Teter.

Kim Stacey of the U.S. will defend her title in the women’s contest, as will Dorianne Vidal of France and Tricia Byrnes of Connecticut. Vancouver’s Natasza Zurek was the lone Canadian getting a bye into the finals. Other Canadians in the qualifier and on the stand-by list include Annie Boulanger, Manon Roy, and Dominique Valee of Quebec, Alberta’s Kim Dunn, and Whistler’s Lori Glazier.

Other notables include ISF champion Stine Brun Kjeldaas, Jaime MacLeod, Sabine Wehr-Hasler, Shannon Dunn, Fabienne Reuteler, and Maren Lutro.

Big Air

Prize Purse: US$75,000 ($40,000 men, $35,000 women)

Tara Dakides is back to defend her Big Air title, as is third place finisher Pauline Richon. Other riders include Vancouver’s Kim Bohsack, Quebec’s Annie Boulanger, and Americans Tina Basich, Jessica Dalpiaz and Jaime MacLeod.

The men’s competition could end in another showdown, with both finalists, Peter Line and Jason Borgstede, returning to the show. Whistler’s Marc-Andre Tarte will be back, after finishing third in last year’s contest. Andrew Hardingham of Banff and Whistler’s Kevin Sansalone are the only other Canadian riders out of 20 to get an invite.

The stand-by list is a different story, with Whistler riders David Carrier-Porcheron, David Melancon, J.F. Pelchat and Dionne Delesalle on deck.

About 20,000 people are expected to attend the finals on April 21, so get there early and bring binoculars. Security guards will be checking backpacks and frisking for alcohol at the gates, and the RCMP are bringing in extra officers from the Lower Mainland to keep the peace.

As usual there will be DJs, dancing girls, and some "out-of-this-world" entertainment to fill the gaps between jumps.

The contest will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Jib Jam

Prize Purse: $15,000

Both men and women competed together in this April 19 event, where the athletes themselves got to vote for the winner. Kevin Sansalone was the lone local, and the lone Canadian on the list, which included Tara Dakides, Kevin Jones, B.J. Lines, and Shannon Dunn. A complete list of athletes for this and all of the other events is available at www.worldsnowboardingchampionship.com.