Sea to Sky catches up with British Olympic freestyle skier James “Woodsy” Woods after the World Ski and Snowboarding Festival in Whistler, Canada. Continue Reading →
Tag Archives: skiing
Highlights from the World Ski and Snowboard Festival
The World Ski and Snowboard Festival has come to an end, and with it the official end to the winter season, though Blackcomb will stay open until May 26th.
The weather varied from snow to sun, to rain, to wind, to fog, and the conditions where typical for spring. The slopes were full of shredders getting their final ride in of the season and with seasonairs partying it up in fancy dress.
Credit: Cat Hughes
The World Ski Invitational took place with slopestyle and the big air. The crowd packed-out skier’s plaza to watch the world’s best freestyle skiers, including Britain’s James “Woodsy” Woods, pull of some hair-razing tricks of a 65 foot jump.
The top spot went to Sweden’s Jesper Tjader, who, on his second run, scored a 90.00 with a Right Double 1620 mute grab. America’s Bobby Brown came in at a close second, with a score of 89.00. He threw down a Switch Double Misty 1260 mute. In third place, flying the flag for Canada, was Vincent Gagnier, with a score of 87.60. Woodsy came in at a respectable fifth with a score of 83.60.
Low cloud hampered the slopestyle event as the athletes waited hours on the side of Blackcomb mountain, waiting for it to lift. During a break in the cloud, the girls managed to complete a two-run final, but the boys didn’t manage to ride a final run. Instead, the scores from the semi-finals decided the winner.
Credit: Robert McCrimmon
Canada dominated the women’s competition, with Nikki Blackall from Ontario coming in at first place with a score of 77.67. Second went to Anouk Purnelle-Faniel from Quebec with a score of 67.67, and third went to Cassie Sharpe from British Columbia, who scored 57.50.
Anouk Purnelle, Nikki Blackall and Cassie Sharpe. Credit: Cat Hughes
In the men’s slopestyle, Bobby Brown took another seat at the podium, coming in second with a score of 84.67. Jossi Wells, from New Zealand, came in third. First place went to Canadian Evan McEachran with a score of 87.17. Woodsy came in at 7th place with 76.83.
Bobby Brown, Evan McEachran and Jossi Wells Credit: Cat Hughes
Nine Queens Shred up Italy
The Nine Queens Big Air event took place at Livigno, Italy from March 26-30. Big names such as Jenny Jones, Spencer O’brian, Katie Summerhayes and Grete Eliassen came down for almost a week of hard shedding and fun.
Germany’s Lisa Zimmermann was crowned the freeski queen as she pulled a 900 tail grab and her first switch 1080 mute.
Elena Könz of Switzerland became the first snowboarding queen, landing a backside 540 mute and smooth frontside 720 melon. Jenny Jones goes for bronze again with a frontside 900.
A special kudos goes to French skier Anais Caradeux, who was the only girl who went for the huge transfer from the kicker in the middle of the pipe to the landing of the left jump. (click here to see the set up) We are also impressed with Charlotte Van Gils who was the only one to attempt a 1080 rotation.
Watch the clip below to see more of the action.
Top Five Places for Après Ski in Whistler
Whistler is hosting the World Ski and Snowboard festival next month and it’s not just renowned as one of the best ski resorts in the world. Due to its geography it has some of the best local food of any resort. Just half an hour up the road is Pemberton, with its vegetable farms and cattle ranches, and a few more hours away is the Okanagan – home of British Columbia’s wine producers and a centre for fruit farms. To the south is the Pacific Ocean, where some of the best wild salmon are fished. All of these factors come together to give some of the best food in the west.
Grill and Vine
This place is for the wine and cheese lover. For après ski, get the BC cheese flight with the wine pairing. Its surprisingly filling, and due to their Enomatic Wine Preservation System (a system which keeps wine fresh once is been opened) you can sample a range of high end wines by the glass.
Bearfoot Bistro
This high-end restaurant is one of the best in town, with an impressive wine cellar, vodka ice room, and a shy but award winning female chef, Melissa Craig, who is happy to tailor a tasting menu to suit your preferences. If you are lucky, you many even see the host, André Saint-Jacques sabering a champagne bottle. If you love food and wine the Bearfoot is not to be missed.
Southside Diner
If you’ve had a night on the town and feeling a little worse for wear, this is the place to come – its breakfasts are delicious and will set you up for a day on the slopes. Try the pancakes or the brie-stuffed French toast. But be careful when ordering that Baileys coffee — it only comes in doubles!
Sushi Village
The Canadian west coast is famous for its sushi – some have even branded the area with the high accolade of the “best sushi outside of Japan”. In Sushi Village, fresh fish caught by local fishermen makes its way onto the menu, alongside fish from around the world. They are famous for sake margaritas — a unique way to celebrate a good day on the slopes.
Splitz Grill
They make epic burgers and it’s a favourite with the locals. Splitz has been consistently voted the best burger joint in town. Filling and affordable, you can have anything from bison to lamb in your burger. Wash it down with the locally-brewed beer and be prepared to wait in line for a table.
Helly Hansen – Peregrine Jacket and H2 Flow mid-layer
When we first decided to review some Helly Hansen products my first thought took me back to my school days where the ‘cool kids’ would all wear Helly Hansen white and blue winter jackets (or more likely knock offs), the 1990’s North West equivalent of the Burberry uniform you find chaves wearing in parts of Britain today. Needless to say I was slightly reserved at first. The snowboarding brands in my mind were the likes of Burton, Volcom, Forum, DC or Oakley. Continue Reading →
Jade Etherington Wins Britain’s First Medal
Jade Etherington became the first British woman to ever win a Winter Paralympic medal on the snow with silver in the visually impaired downhill. Continue Reading →
Freeskier Emma Lonsdale Announces Retirement
British freeskier Emma Lonsdale has announced her retirement from competitive skiing. The 29-year-old competed in the halfpipe today and came 18th in qualification. Only the top 12 go through into the final. Continue Reading →
About Time: The First Ever Olympics Women’s Ski Jumping event takes place
For 90 years a gold medal in Ski Jumping has been closed to women. The fight to get it into the Winter Olympics has been long and hard. Continue Reading →
Two Get Gold in the Women’s Downhill
Switzerland’s Dominique Gisin and Tina Maze of Slovenia have become the first in the history of the Winter Olympics to share a gold medal. Continue Reading →
British Disappointment in Cross Country
23-year-old British medal hopeful Andrew Musgrave failed to reach the finals of the cross country sprint after finishing fourth in the quarter finals. The other two Team GB cross country skiers, Andrew Young and Callum Smith, finished 42nd and 62nd respectively. Continue Reading →