http://mpora.com/videos/ZF25swTLK With Nike 6.0 shouting from the rooftops about their Stairset Battle Tour currently making its way through Europe, we thought it about time to bring you the low down on a more grass routes affair. Mike Austin gets you up to date on Snolf 2010.

Words: Mike Austin

Despite the ironic snow fall which had restricted many Snolfers from travelling to the Snowdome, a strong line up of locals and brave travellers signed in for Snolf. The scoreboard was up and ready to go, prizes bagged up ready for the winners, the Endeavor tent on slope ready to go, and then we met our first snag. The first winter snowfall had immobilised the nights DJ who also had the microphone we needed for the on-slope communication. This didn’t hold us back though, to spread the nights word I resorted to announcing to the riders individually from the bottom of the rope tow lift. Thanks to the patience of the riders and camaraderie – through linking the chain of instruction we were under way into Snolf 2010.

The jam session rolled on and with a relaxed atmosphere everyone seemed to be having good fun throwing down tricks way in advance of what was needed to qualify. Nevertheless we had to pick out the top 9 riders who were to lead the Snolfers out and lay down the all important 9 Snolf tricks. Jamie Durham, Mark Harris and I then selected 9 riders from the jam session to progress to the next round.

Snolf Finalists.
Dan Oughton
Luke Lightwood
George Wooley
Ollie Waters
Jake
Ollie Dutton,
Calum Paton
Ben Izzard
Ronnie Organ.

Our inability to communicate via the PA system continued so a pre-war communication system was devised – a rudimentary semaphore or sorts – myself and Endeavor team manager Sam Noble flapped our arms frantically signalling the start of Snolf 2010.

Each of the 9 riders selected a trick that the whole group must attempt to throw down. The first rider down picks the current trick, shortly followed by all other riders attempting to stomp it also and bag themselves a PAR (score 0). If a trick isn’t landed they score +1 thus raising their score average, the key to winning being the lowest average score gained by landing the most tricks.

During the comp communications were helped via a mobile snowboard message
courier provided by the over-qualified service of 9 times British Masters Champion Joel Erith, also inventor of Chuckbuddies and one of Snolf sponsors. To my side I had the aid of Paul Coley, a past experienced Snolfer who helped with the scoreboard and some technical judging.

The live scoreboard was frantically updated after each trick was completed by all the Snolfers, keeping a visual update on the current ranking list. From start to finish we saw riders names rise and fall and rise again making it anyone’s game.

Once the first 5 tricks had been run, the stakes were pushed higher as the harder tricks were put on the board. This now meant that landing a trick would score a -1 (birdie), forming a larger gap from the penalty score of +1 (bogey). The score then pushing their average up or down to determine the rise or fall on the leader board. (are you still with me?) Further to this the rider who called the current trick had even more at stake as they would score -2 for a landing or a +2 penalty. Confusing I know, luckily I had mathematical help from Jake Overton who was at hand to be my Carol Vorderman on the scoreboard.

The riders all showed real enthusiasm, skill and determination giving Snolf 2010 a strong vibe and high level of technicality, a big thanks to all of you all.

Holding a place on the Snolf scoreboard this year:
Richard Organ #10
Dan Oughton #9
Ronnie Organ #8
Jack Oughton #7
Ben Izzard #6 (recovering from a serious knee injury a year ago)
George Wooley #5
Ollie Dutton #4
Luke Lightwood #3
Ollie Waters #2
Calum Paton#1

The 2010 Snolf Champion Calum Paton finished with an impressive final score of -2 (double birdie) taking home a huge bag of prizes including one of only 12 limited edition ThirtyTwo Snowboards! Kindly donated on behalf of ThirtyTwo by team manager Dale Taylor.

Other prizes from the night included goodies from Demon, Ignite, ThirtyTwo, AirHole, Chuckbuddies, Ignite and Drop.

A huge thanks to the Tamworth Snowdome and all those who helped on the night, including all the Riders involved, Endeavor, ThirtyTwo, Air Hole, Ignite beanies, Drop Gloves/Goggles & CHUCKBUDDiES.