Kempainen, Cumming Win Freeskiing Open Superpipe

J Dogg — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 23:06:48 -0500

Rating

Finnish hero AJ Kempainen and American Jess Cumming went big and bold in the Superpipe finals today at the 11th Annual Suzuki US Freeskiing Open, taking home their first U.S. Freeskiing Open wins.

Kempainen scored a high 89.25 in his second run, starting off with a switch 720 into a rightside 9, going for double grab with corked out style. Taylor Seaton will take the second spot for his third run score of 87.75. Frenchman Xavier Bertoni slides into third for his score of 87.

Cumming won her spot atop the podium with a score of 80.5, landing a big 720 in the beginning of her run. Mirjam Jaeger takes second with her score of 78.25. Roz Groenwood nails third with a 76.

"In the past I got third, so it's pretty surreal to sit on top," Cumming said, of her win.

Although the guys slammed four to five high hits in each run, the girls' sizes and lack of speed helped them to fit in 12 or more jumps. A few straight airs, with a lot of 540s and 720s mixed in ruled their runs, with the best technical abilities moving the dominant girls on.

Kempainen was thrilled and surprised at his run, expecting to not place as high before coming to compete.

"I have been working for this for so many (months)," Kempainen said. "When I came here I expected (a lower standing) but I say let's do this."

Last night's Big Air winner, Colby West competed in the pipe, and was happy for Kempainen's successful run.

"It didn't go that well, but I am okay with it," West said. "Props to AJ and Go Pats."

A virtual no-name coming into the competition, 17-year-old Taylor Seaton pulled a large switch 7 octo to clinch his seed.

"I just decided to go for a 10 but I think the 7 with the octo grab will be it," Seaton said. "It's awesome. My skis are fast and it's just great."

Grey conditions and Super Bowl showings depleted the crowd early in the day, making competitors turn to each other to get amped. Cumming thanked a fellow skier for the advice she gave at the top for help with her run. Byron Wells enjoyed the support from his family at the bottom for a job well done. 14-year-old Wells knocked the ball out of the park in his first run, getting a 74.5. Wells still wants to compete against older brother Jossi (last night's second place finisher in Big Air) to really test his skills.

The Superpipe ends the eleventh annual U.S. Freeskiing Open at Copper Mountain. Make sure to check out all the details and slideshows at Skinet.com to see highlights from every event from the weekend.

See full RESULTS>>>

Dogs Chasing Snowcats - In Too Much Snow

J Dogg — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:12:22 -0500

Rating

Is there such thing as too much snow? Unlikely, but we went to find out, and oh what a weekend it was. With a big juicy storm in the forecast, the Doglotion/VentureWeb crew packed our bags and headed up to visit our friends at Backcountry Snowcats, an awesome new(ish) cat skiing and riding operation just north of Whistler up on the Hurley Pass towards Bralorne. Owners Reg & Kathy Milne put blood, sweat, and tears into securing the tenure for the area, and these past 2 winters it's been paying off... in snow and good times.

With 15,000 acres all to themselves, and a retarded amount of new snow, things were looking good for us. Really good.

The weekend ruled before we even got to the lodge! Meeting at the base of the Hurley Pass road we were given a quiver of snowmobiles to bomb up the road in over a foot of fresh, at night. 3rd time riding a sled and mad faceshots were there for the taking anytime you drifted off the track.

Then out of nowhere came the lights from the Hurley Mountain lodge, where our warm beds and dinner venue were waiting.

With a ridiculous amount of new snow already out there and more overnight, it wasn't hard to wake anyone up in the morning. After a good feed we did the usual avalanche beacon practice, then hopped in the cat and went 'plowing'. You know it's going to be a deep weekend of skiing when the snowcat itself is getting faceshots...

With a high avi danger and deep roads to be plowed, we faired pretty good on day one, bagging some awesome runs through the burnt badlands trees and mid mountain gulleys.

But then came day two! Better stability, sun peeking out of the clouds and Kath's hard morning work of pre-plowing the roads before breakfast all paid off. Talk about good service.

We covered a bunch of different zones, every run better than the last, with glades, pillows, gulleys, chutes, small bowls, you name it. Oh and pow. Lots of it. No sign of a hardpack base no matter how deep you sunk... bringing true meaning to 'bottomless' pow.

With about 13,000 feet of vert for the day we wrapped it up before dark, super stoked on how much shredding we got on one of the shortest days of the year. With permagrins on everyone faces, we packed up to head for home, with amazing hospitality, good grub, and ridiculous ski memories all drifting through our heads.

The only consoling thought as the trip ended and we sledded back down to Pemberton, was of course... it's only going to be better when we come back in the spring. We'll be back, again, and again, until the snow dries up around the world and ski games on Ninetendo Wii is all we're left with. Until then, we, and you, should be making an annual pilgrimage to Backcountry Snowcats.

DETAILS

Location: Up on the Hurley Pass, just north of Pemberton
Getting There: Trips meet in Pemberton, just 2.5 hrs from Vancouver. It doesn't get any closer than that for a destination catskiing trip. From the meadows road in Pemberton, the snowmobile ride up the pass is a total bonus.

Price: What you get at a weekend with Backcountry Snowcats is a ridiculous bargain. Awesome value. Catskiing package details.
More Info: Check them out at www.snowcats.ca or 1-888-146-1111.

Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community - trips-articles

Kempainen, Cumming Win Freeskiing Open Superpipe

Dogs Chasing Snowcats - In Too Much Snow