Smith Optics Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge Finals

Tobin Seagel — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 01:38:29 -0500

Rating

The Smith Optics Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge went off last week, and one of Doglotion's favourite shredders made another podium appearance. Here's the dirt from our man on the inside, Tobin Seagel...

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier:unknown

ER5 was the site of Saturday's final and super-final. Contestants pulled out all the stops to get atop the podium and get their hands on a share of the prize money.

Photo: Dave Mossop

Notable mentions include Colin Puskas making turns down Boogie's spine, Rob Meaney and Wes Harris throwing backflips of a sizeable cliff at the top of the venue, Hector for throwing in a frontflip recovery when he hit a rock on take-off, and Martha Burley charging the course and every air in her way on teli-skis. Kevin Hjertas put together a solid billygoat line covering every feature on the course, only to get unlucky when he broke one of his skis.

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier: Athan Merrick

The top five men and three women moved on to a super-finals on a permanently closed area of ER5. The area is characterized by big terrain, plenty of rock, and some sugary snow in spots.

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier: Alex Blais

In the women's field, Leah Evans put together a strong run only to lose a ski, which left the door open to Sonja Lercher and Martha Burley. Both women skied well, hitting their lines, but it would be Martha Burley (Fernie) that rose to the top, sliding through some tricky rock sections and hitting plenty of airs on her telemark skis.

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier: Kevin Hjertas

The men's field was strong, and a clean line with no falls was the minimum required to get on the podium. To win it, some teched our skiing mixed with big airs had to be added to the mix. In the super-final, Caleb Mullen and Athan Merrick, had what they need to do well, but one fall each exiting the cliff band resulted in a tie for fourth between the two of them. Mike Hopkins also got hung up in some rocks, losing a ski and earning third spot. Brett Crabtree (Whistler) put his billygoating skills on display getting into and out of the middle cliff section and hitting a huge air at the bottom. However, CJ Wright stepped up to the challenge and slayed his line, skiing fast and aggressively through the upper section and dropping the largest "side-hop" air I've ever seen landing between two rocks and earning the Champions title.

Photo: Dave Mossop Judge: Jeff Holden

The after-party got started early with plenty of Appleton's rum and a huge bottle of Jack circulating freely courtesy of sponsors and prizes. Banff then took the brunt of the actual party. Its all a bit blurry, but highlights included finding $1.75 highballs at Mel's, Jer and Hector mooning an entire restaurant, and a run-in with jerk-off hotel security that resulted in me waking up at 7am in my car when it was -15 outside.

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier: CJ Wright

Thanks to Lake Louise and all the sponsors for putting on an amazing event. See you all in Fernie in a few weeks!!!

Photo: Dave Mossop

Women Bib# Thur Fri Final SF Total
1 Martha Burley 8 20.8 26 25.8 26.5 99.1
2 Sonja Lercher 6 17.2 27.8 22 24.2 91.2
3 Leah Evans 12 25 24 24.6 17 90.6
Super Final
4 Lindsay McDermid 9 20.2 22 20.8 63
5 Chelsea Sullivan 3 18 20 18 56
6 Crystal-Rose Lee 2 22.2 26 48.2
7 Meagan Klassen 5 15 22.6 16 42
8 Sarah Frood 4 17.4 11.4 28.8
9 Emma Mains 11 16.6 11 27.6

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier: Kevin Hjertas

Men
Name Bib# Thur Fri Final SF Total
1 CJ Wright 61 28.2 38 34 34.4 134.6
2 Brett Crabtree 34 36.4 30 31.6 30.6 128.6
3 Mike Hopkins 79 34 40 29.8 12.8 116.6
4 Athan Merrick 74 31.8 36 31.8 16.2 115.8
4 Caleb Mullen 75 34 24.6 38.6 18.6 115.8
Super Final
5 Mathieu Gagnon Theriault 38 30 31.6 31 92.6
6 Colin Puskas 77 24.8 30.2 36.8 91.8
7 Ross Janzen 54 24 31.8 35.6 91.4
8 Blayne Hettinga 76 38 24.4 27 89.4
9 Peter Hodgson 62 28.8 28.2 32.2 89.2
10 Jeremy McClure 67 32.4 35.4 20 87.8
11 Kevin Hjertas 57 33.2 28.8 24 86
12 Wes Harris 70 31 30 23.2 84.2
13 George Ezard 53 28 32.4 22.6 83
14 Rob Meaney 64 31.8 30.6 20.4 82.8
15 Alex Blais 30 30.4 24 28 82.4
16 Todd Patterson 56 29 29.2 23.2 81.4
16 Jeff Harker 63 25.2 28.2 28 81.4
17 Josh Bremer 28 24.2 28.2 27.4 79.8
18 Drew Wittstock 26 27.8 27.4 24.4 79.6
19 Kai Caemmerer 29 25.2 28.8 22.6 76.6
19 Jordan Kropper 66 33 19.4 24.2 76.6
20 Bryce McLean 78 26 29.8 19.8 75.6
21 Sam Wright 73 28 24.6 21.4 74
22 Scottie Dodds 43 26.8 29.6 17 73.4
23 Robert Smith 68 27.6 28.6 15 71.2
24 Dustin Clark 32 23.4 28.2 TDQ TDQ

***Thanks to Dave Mossop from Rocky Mountain Sherpas for the amazing photos. Check out his website at: www.rockymountainsherpas.com

Competitors, contact Dave if you want any shots...

Photo: Dave Mossop Skier: Jeremy McClure

Smith Optics Lake Louise Big mountain Challenge: Day 2

Tobin Seagel — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 22:46:08 -0500

Rating

Today's venue, ER3, was in perfect condition and the sun was out. The venue was technical, with plenty of sharks and exposure. Smart skiing was the mantra of the day but actions proved louder than words, and competitors throughout the field put it all out there for their chance at skiing in tomorrows finals.

The top score on the day in the women's field went to Sonja Lercher (Whistler), putting her into contention with the rest of the top three: 3) Martha Burley, 2) Crystal Rose-Lee (Whistler), and 1) Leah Evans. Rounding out the women's finalists are Lindsay McDermid (Fernie), Chelsea Sullivan (Whistler), and Meagan Klassen.

Venue: semi-finals

In the men's field, the field of 40 was axed to 23. The field was strong, with many competitors choosing a gnarly looking double through peppered rocks. Top score of the day went to Mike Hopkins, who skied fluid and stomped his landing. Athan Merrick and Jeremy McClure (Whistler) tied for second, followed by Brett Crabtree (Whistler). CJ Wright deserves a mention in 4th (can you say charged it) and was rewarded with the second highest score on the day.

Rounding out the top 23 in this order are: Rob Meaney, Blayne Hettinga, Kevin Hjertas, Mathieu GT (Whistler), Wes Harris, George Ezard, Caleb Mullen, Todd Paterson, Peter Hodgson, Scottie Dodds, Robert Smith, Ross Janzen, Bryce McLean, Drew Wittstock, Colin Puskas, Alex Blais (Whistler), Kai Caemmerer, Jeff Harker, Sam Wright, Josh Bremer, Jordan Kropper, Dustin Clark.

My favourite quote from the day has to go to Blazer. Never a dull moment with Blais, he drinks a redbull before his run and charges hard and fast out of the gate, sending his airs bigger than he planned, and missing a section of his run. I suggested maybe dropping redbull from his pre-game diet. His response: "NO!!! Tomorrow, I will drink two...and SEND IT!!"

Ya buddy! If today was anything to judge by, tomorrow's finals is going to be amazing. Get up to Louise this weekend and take in the finals at ER5.

Blazer and Mathieu

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Smith Optics Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge Finals

Smith Optics Lake Louise Big mountain Challenge: Day 2