Last Friday saw the Monster Energy Shred Show slopestyle go down at Whistler Blackcomb. As is often the case in the coastal mountains of BC, the weather was changeable, with flat light making the massive course a challenge to ride earlier on in the day. Fortunately, the weather did improve and the riders were eventually able to pull out their bigger tricks for the spectators. The Shred Show slopestyle is the first 5 Star World Snowboard Tour event in the 13/14 calendar.
Norwegian young buck Emil Ulsletten walked away with the $15,000 first place wad, stomping a run that included a frontside double 10, back 9 and cab 9 double. The win was Emil’s first major one of 2013 and understandably he was really really stoked!
The jumps and rails were really, really good, but the weather made it tough to complete a whole run, it was really fun. I am really really happy! This year has not been the best for me for contests, I needed this one!
Long haired Yank and Innsbruck Air & Style winner Eric Willet did enough for second with a run that included a front 10 double, switch backside 9 and backside 7.
The Slopestyle course was good, we definitely had to deal with some interesting weather all day but it worked out, finals turned out really good, it was a bit slushy but that’s what springtime is all about. I am stoked on my run and am glad I ended up on the podium.
Rounding out the top three and giving the home crowd something to cheer about was Taylor Nicholson from Ontario, Canada. Taylor put down a cab 10 double, back 10 and front 10 on the jumps.
This slope contest is by far the best I have ever entered, just because the organization was so good, it was more based on what the rider’s wanted, they were willing to switch it up if we didn’t like it. The course is just unreal, the jumps were so good and the rails were gnarly.
Check out the video highlights above.
MONSTER ENERGY SHRED SHOW SLOPESTYLE RESULTS:
1st Emil Ulsletten
2nd Eric Willet
3rd Taylor Nicholson