snowboard and ski news from the U.K dryslope scene and further afield

The competition got underway in a slightly erie atmosphere, riders pushing themselves from the start, without the customary booming tunes (DJ was a no show).
Panic over, DJ and banging tunes turned up, the riders responded. Now the heat was on. The Jam was underway.

Tom Percival kicked the comp of, with a typical styled out to the max, huge front side 360. Eager to show that Tom was not the only one capable of such effortless style, Jamie Keeble, Collum Mytton and Joe Tomlinson set to it. Unleashing Back flips, Rodeos and Switch Back flips respectively.

The Jam session session got underway with great performances from every rider. Stand out efforts came from Mike Dower. Determined to land his first ever Backside 360. Despite repeated brave attempts the trick eluded him, but he's sure to land it soon. Will smith (halifax rider) rode his socks off as usual. Throwing spins of many different varieties. Also in the youngsters group the other two thirds of the amazing skiing Tomlinson trio, Sam and Harry, showed big brother Joe that he's not the only gifted skier in the family. Both Sam and Harry gave us 540's, switch 540's and zero airs.

The Jam Session ended, it was now time for the finals. The Youngsters final consisted of Joe Tomlinson, Will Smith, Danny Higham, Tyler (sorry don't know his surname) and Harry Tomlinson. There was no competition for first place, Joe Tomlinson won it easily with switch black flips, Rodeo 720's and Misty's. If the format of the competition had been different and allowed Joe to compete with the men he would have finished second or possibly won the whole thing outright. In second place came Will Smith, 540's and 720's at such a young age this young man is definitely one to watch. Third place belonged to Tyler, he rode well displaying skills in switch and regular, If he had landed the 900's and 1080s' he was attempting the whole story may have been different.

The Ladies final was made up of Kat Sneddon, Rhianna Nuttall and Claire Jackson. Not to be out done the Ladies started to duke it out. With all three throwing faultless straight airs(grabbed every way you can think of), there was only one way to go spins. With Kat and Rhianna taking it to the next level. The competition was fierce, with both girls throwing front side and backside 180's. Still with it too close to call, the girls took it to 360's. Kat just missing her landing and then Rhianna pulling a sweat front side 360. The ladies competition was decided with Rhianna first, Kat second and Claire third. My prediction for the future, keep an eye on these girls, they've got balls!!

The Men's final included Jamie Keeble, Collum Mytton and Tom Percival. The level of riding was spectacular. Jamie chose Back flips, corked backside 540's and a backside 900. Tom went with Front side 360's, corked backside 540 and a corked backside 720. Collum provided us with a Frountside rodeo 720, corked backside 720 and a backside 540 rodeo. Truly amazing riding from all three. The final results were, in first place Collum, in second place Tom and in a close third Jamie.

RESULTS