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Pyeongchang 2018 – The Slopestyle Medallists’ Snowboards

Max Parrot, Red Gerard and Mark McMorris doing right by their board sponsors. Photo: Sam Mellish

Thanks to the Olympics’ infamously stringent rules and regulations, no competing snowboarder is allowed to big up their sponsors while the Games are running. However, with the prime real estate that is the base graphic, what board each medallist is on is pretty easy to see.

As is the norm these days, the winners can usually be seen carrying their stick up to the podium with them, making their sponsors very happy without having to utter a word. Take that, Rule 40!

” These riders take their gear selection extremely seriously”

Given the talent on display in the slopestyle events, you could probably put these guys and girls on de-lammed rental boards from 2002 and they’d still kill it. However, at this level it’s all about the marginal advantages, and so these riders take their gear selection extremely seriously.

Some are already on a 2018/19 model, which won’t be available until next winter, but in most cases they’re on a slightly updated version of something that’s available now.

Here’s what was under the feet of all six medallists in snowboard slopestyle:

Red Gerard (Gold, Men’s Slopestyle) – Burton Custom X Snowboard 2018-2019

 

That new base graphic might have a whiff of Harry Potter about it (appropriately enough for snowboarding’s boy wizard), but this is one ain’t for kids. Such is the high-end performance of the Burton Custom X, it’s often used by pipe riders, where power and response is everything.

As the guy who made effective use of transitions in order to take slopestyle gold, the Burton Custom X was a good choice for Red. Despite being a little guy, he’s clearly got next level board control, and so the stiff, poppy Custom X suited him down to the ground.

Check out our full review of the 2017/18 Burton Custom X here.

[monetizer101 search=’Burton Custom X’]

Max Parrot (Silver, Men’s Slopestyle) – Nobaday Ambition Snowboard 2017-2018

Parrot’s board was three years in the making and, according to the man himself, inspired by both his car and his dog.

With plenty of carbon additives and a classic camber profile, it’s got the torsional stiffness and pop to handle high-end riding, right up to quad corks. While we’re sure there’s an updated version coming next year, the one he actually rode in Pyeongchang is available now.

If that’s not enough, it also keeps the doctor away.

[monetizer101 search=’Nobaday Ambition’]

Mark McMorris (Bronze, Men’s Slopestyle) – Burton Process Snowboard 2018-2019

This one is quite a bit softer than what Red and Max rode, so props to Mark for sending it nonetheless. If you’re good enough, you can make anything work for you, and at the end of the day it comes down to individual preference more than anything else.

It’s still a freestyle weapon, obviously – true twin in shape, and with a mostly-camber profile that’s a bit more rail-friendly.

Again, you won’t be able to get your hands on this until next winter, but there are actually three seperate versions of the 2017/18 edition available now. As well as the standard Process there’s an asymmetrical version called the Off-Axis, and the slightly down-spec’d (but super fun) Kilroy Process.

Read our full review of the 2017/18 Burton Process Off-Axis here, or check out the 2017/18 Burton Kilroy Process here.

[monetizer101 search=’Burton Process’]

Jamie Anderson (Gold, Women’s Slopestyle) – Gnu Ladies Choice Snowboard 2018-2019

Sales of the Gnu Ladies choice probably saw a bump when Jamie Anderson won in 2014, and we can expect the same to happen again this time around.

It’s got all the best Gnu tech, from wavy Magne-traction edges that offer extra grip in treacherous conditions, to a combo profile that walks the line between aggressive and mellow. Park riders will love it, but it’s capable of much more.

Check out our review of the 2017/18 Gnu Ladies Choice here.

[monetizer101 search=’Gnu Ladies Choice’]

Laurie Blouin (Silver, Women’s Slopestyle) – Nitro Fate Snowboard 2018-2019

Fate certainly played a bit part in the women’s slopestyle final, and had the wind blown in a different direction (normally that’s just an expression…), someone else might have beaten Laurie Blouin to the silver medal spot.

However, on the day the Canadian rider kept her head and put down a solid score on her Nitro Fate. More of an all-terrain vehicle than a true park board, it’s got a directional twin shape, as well as a mostly-camber profile that offers slightly more margin for error on the big features.

[monetizer101 search=’Nitro Fate’]

Enni Rukajarvi (Bronze, Women’s Slopestyle) – Vimana Ennitime Twin Snowboard

We’re stoked for the guys at Vimana, a fledgling Norwegian brand who make great boards under most of the world’s radar.

Thanks to Enni’s latest Olympic bling, her signature stick should get a bit more attention. Carbon and Kevlar feature in the build, but it’s no Formula One racer – all-rounders will appreciate its medium flex.

Available in both directional rocker and twin camber versions, the Ennitime Twin offers the tools to take on an icy Finnish booter, a fun slushy side-hit, or a wide-open pow field.

[monetizer101 search=’Vimana Ennitime’]

Check out the Olympic halfpipe medallist’s snowboards from Pyeongchang 2018 here

Check out the Olympic big air medallist’s snowboards from Pyeongchang 2018 here

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