Blue bird skies welcomed in the second day of the BRITS 09 for the Quiksilver Big Air Championships yesterday and the standard of riding was immense. Nate Kern set a new BRITS record with a backside 1260 and Laura Berry stepped it up with a huge 360 to take the 2009 British Quiksilver Big Air Championship titles.

The qualification rounds showcased just how high the current standard of UK snowboarding is with over 80 riders charging the kickers and throwing down a selection of huge 7’s 9’s and double back-flips. The 12 man final increased to 13 as the judging was too tight to call with younger riders including, Sparrow Knox and Tom Hunt from the Kids age category and Quiksilver’s very own Jamie Nicholls impressively taking a spot.

The level of riding stepped up a gear again during the men’s final as Nate Kern landed the first ever 1260 witnessed at the BRITS to take the 2009 British Quiksilver Big Air Title. Second place went to Halifax local and big air specialist Andy Nudds, who landed a huge frontside 1080 whilst third place with a textbook cab 1080 went to Dom Harington.

Nate who also set the record for landing the first ever 1080 at the 2006 BRITS quoted:” It’s amazing and I’m really happy to come out and regain the title. I wasn’t thinking about it as setting a new record, I just wanted to step it up a level, you know, to keep progressing the sport. The level of competition was off the scale and I’m so happy i brought it together today”

In the women’s final it was Laura Berry who was victorious and took the 2009 Quiksilver Big Air Title after she landed a super smooth and solidly grabbed 360 over the big kicker. Second place went to Claire Frost who had been killing it all day with a huge 360 over the big kicker. Jo Chastney also stepped it up to take third place after she pulled out a cab 540 over the medium kicker.

Laura Berry quoted: “I missed the last two BRITS because of an injury so this is pretty sweet. “I’m really stoked. It’s awesome to be back and I’m really pleased I landed the 360”

1st – Nate Kern, Sussex
2nd – Andy Nudds, Halifax
3rd – Dom Harington, Leeds

1st – Laura Berry, Milton Keynes
2nd – Claire Frost, Edinburgh
3rd – Jo Chastney, Dorset

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2009 daily webcasts at Brits09, where you will be able to review the snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

If you want to see footage of the monumental trick, and we know you do, then click here.