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Simon Dumont World Record Quarterpipe Highest Air

J Dogg — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

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Skiing prodigy and X Games star Simon Dumont accomplished the unthinkable today, establishing a new world record for highest air on a quarterpipe as he launched 35 feet into thin air at his home resort of Sunday River in Maine.

On the world's tallest quarterpipe (38-feet tall and 78-feet wide) custom-built by Snow Park Technologies, and with a representative from FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski ) appointed by Guinness Book of World Records on location to document the record-breaking moment, Dumont beat previous record holder Terje Haakonsen's 32 feet 6 inches during his last day of attempts.

Soaring a breathtaking 73 feet above the ground -- more than a seven-story building -- this hometown hero sent the intimate crowd of family and friends into a frenzy as they witnessed the record-breaking moment.

"I wasn't sure how this would all go down today with the wind and some healing injuries I've been nursing," says Dumont. "As I was dropping down the hill into the run-in it just hit me that this would be it -- the rest is history."

Making the attempt had been on Simon's mind for several years, but once snowboard legend Terje Haakonsen set the record in 2007 going 32 feet 6 inches high with a backside 360 at The Arctic Challenge in Oslo, Norway, Dumont knew he wanted to be the first to break it. So in 2008, Dumont turned to Red Bull and Sunday River to bring the project to life.

Although Snow Park Technologies has built countless quarterpipes over the years, this was the first developed specifically for both a single athlete and the Guinness Book. "Building a quarterpipe for just one athlete exactly the way he wants it is unique for us," says SPT's Corley Howard. "I'm super excited to be a part of this project ... after seeing Simon get huge airs in the halfpipe at the X Games, we were hoping he'd go for the record." After two days of framing the quarterpipe with a snowcat, and three days of precisely hand shaping the 38-foot wall from the top down, Howard along with fellow SPT builder Jeremy Carpenter had done all they could do. It was time for Simon to get to work.

The project began Tuesday morning when Dumont arrived on site directly off a flight from Sweden. Dumont began hitting the quarterpipe in the early afternoon when he reached heights as high as 28 feet, before drifting in the air and falling nearly 66 feet onto the snow below. Dumont's hard hitting landing caused him to bruise his heel and aggravate an existing knee injury. After seeing the doctor, Simon returned to the hill on Wednesday, but was plagued by his injuries and was forced to recuperate for the rest of the day. Thursday was disrupted by high winds forcing the entire staff to delay their flights in order to provide Simon with one more opportunity to attempt the World Record.

At 9 a.m. Friday morning Simon showed up with his game face on and was ready for his final attempts. After an hour of repeatedly hitting the quarterpipe, at 10:12 a.m. EDT Dumont hiked an additional 15 feet up the hill to gain more speed. Simon crouched into a tucked position going 55 mph down the in-run and not only launched 35 feet into the air, but spun a 900 in the process (a trick where the athlete spins 2.5 complete rotations in the air).

And what better place to carry out this history-making moment than Sunday River, New England's premier ski destination located in the Mahoosuc Mountains of western Maine, where it all began for Dumont. "Simon grew up here in the town of Bethel shredding the slopes at Sunday River so we were thrilled to help him bust the record," says Alex Kaufman, Communications Manager for Sunday River. Marketing Manager Nick Lambert continues, "Sunday River is best known for our snowmaking and for the large amount of ski terrain we have to offer, both of which helped make the resort the right location for this event." As far as this quarterpipe being the tallest freestyle feature ever built in the world, here at Sunday River, Kaufman comments, "We're all about putting the snow we make all year to good use in the spring. Simon going for a world record at Sunday River was pretty darn good use!"

So, with the mission accomplished for 21-year-old Simon Dumont, what's next on the horizon? "I plan to go film for the rest of the season, then take a good vacation this summer before refocusing on next year," says Dumont.

Simon Dumont Rules The Honda Ski Tour

J Dogg — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 17:03:20 -0400

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The Halfpipe side of the inaugural Honda Ski Tour (THST) concluded today at the fourth and final stop in Squaw Valley USA, CA. Skier Halfpipe competitor Simon Dumont made history Saturday by winning his third Honda Ski Tour Halfpipe title to clinch the overall Tour title as THST Halfpipe champion and a brand new Honda Element. Dumont scored a 93.50 on his second run to win the Squaw Valley USA stop and another $25,000 giving him a total of $80,000 in earnings from The Honda Ski Tour.

Unlike the first three THST stops, sunny skies and temperatures hovering around 60 degrees in Alpine Bowl at Squaw Valley USA welcomed halfpipe competitors to the pipe that had just been constructed a week ago. A mass of spectators basked in the sun lining the deck of the pipe and the corral finish area and were treated to a world-class display of halfpipe skiing.

New Zealand’s Jossi Wells, 16, who made his second THST appearance after breaking his collarbone six weeks ago at the Winter X Games, scored an 87.25 on his first run starting with a massive flair nose grab into consecutive 900s (the first rightside and the second leftside) followed by a rightside 540 and a 1080 tailgrab.

Carbondale, CO, native Peter Olenick, who placed 2nd at THST stop #2 in Breckenridge, CO, did not attempt his signature double whiskey flip on his first run electing to save it for his second run. Canadian Mike Riddle, who sat in 2nd in the overall Tour standings heading into the event, threw a 1080 to a switch 720 at the end of his first run putting him in second behind Wells after the first run prior to Dumont’s first run. Dumont dropped in for his first run and wowed spectators and himself by soaring higher than the 20-foot Honda tower marker with a cork 540 lead mute grab followed by a rightside 540 mute to a huge 1260 to a an alley-oop flatspin 900. (Keith Carlsen/MSI photo)

“Honestly, today was the first time I’ve ever been scared skiing into a halfpipe wall,” said the 20-year-old Maine native following his historic victory. “I got my skis waxed in the morning and they put this powder stuff on them right before my run, and I went so fast into the wall and popped as hard as I could.”

On the second run, Olenick landed his massive double whiskey flip off the first hit matching the height meters and followed that up with a 900 tailgrab and 1080 tailgrab jumping Riddle in the standings with a score of 84.75, which put him in third place earning $7,500. After Wells crashed on his second run, Dumont had a victory run and did not disappoint throwing the same first run but with increased amplitude to score the highest run of the day with a 93.50.

Following the competition, 2nd place finisher ($15,000) Jossi Wells, making only his second appearance in a halfpipe since his injury asserted, “This competition has got that professional feel about it, but it’s also really relaxed and chilled. This is the Cadillac of new ski competitions. I love coming here and hopefully I’ll be back next year.”

On the music side, Donavon Frankenreiter and his acoustic/bluesy beats attracted thousands to the BaseCamp Pavilion on Friday night’s BaseCamp Music Experience. “It was a great time up here in the mountains,” said the former pro surfer Frankenreiter. “There are a lot of great, different bands playing here at different venues. I love how they have it set up so that people can mosey from one place to another.” And fans did just that following Frankenreiter’s jammy show where Matt Costa played at the Crocs Lounge – Bar One, DJ Logic spun at the Zenbu Lounge in front of hundreds, Kamphire Collective and Wisdom performing at the Plaza Bar, and former pro skiers Matt Reardon and Shane Anderson playing late into the evening over at the OVL.

Sunday’s Ski Cross Finals showcase an epic battle for the overall Ski Cross Tour title with Canadian Stan Hayer only 10 points ahead of Casey Puckett on a challenging Squaw Valley USA course. In addition, Saturday night’s BaseCamp Music Experience featured such renowned musical acts as G. Love & Special Sauce, The Wailers, and George Clinton on the final night of the THST BaseCamp Music Experience.

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For videos, stories, photos and general information and BaseCamp Music Experience ticket information, go to The Honda Ski Tour website www.theskitour.com

Simon Dumont Wins Another Ski Tour SuperPipe

J Dogg — Thu, 1 Mar 2007 01:09:28 -0500

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Ok this is a few days ago, but still big news in the jibtastic world of Simon Dumont... Dumont ties the highest score ever achieved in halfpipe competition, and widens his gap with the highest overall THST halfpipe points standings

The Honda Ski Tour (THST) at Aspen/Snowmass, CO wrapped up on the weekend. Skier halfpipe competitors delivered both entertainment and excitement for the hundreds of spectators who came out to watch these athletes battle for the $25,000 top prize. With the best run of two counting, competitors held nothing back and Simon Dumont made history matching the highest halfpipe score ever recorded with his final run score of 97.50, winning the event, the $25,000 check and retaining the lead in overall points standings.

THST is North America’s new elite, four-stop mountain festival and skiing competition that features the world’s best halfpipe and ski cross skiers competing for a total of $500,000, the biggest purse in skiing. Cumulative points will determine the overall winners of THST ski cross and halfpipe events and both will receive a Honda Element at the THST championships at Squaw Valley USA, CA, March 8-11, 2007.

The mass of spectators who turned out to watch The Honda Ski Tour halfpipe competition today on Snowmass Mountain weren’t disappointed as 12 of the world’s best halfpipe athletes who advanced to the finals put on an incredible show. The third to last competitor to start, Mike Riddle of Canada had an incredible first run linking together a 540 nose grab, right-side 540, and a 900 with a safety grab to launch him into first ahead of John Symms of the U.S.

Simon Dumont had everyone holding their breath wondering how he would push the envelope further than he has in the past. Winner of THST halfpipe in Sun Valley, ID, Dumont finished a disappointing fourth at THST Breckenridge, CO, leaving some looking to the judges for a reason why. Dumont began his run by boosting huge out of the pipe, easily clearing the height markers (well over 15 feet above the lip of the pipe) while executing a perfect ally-oop flat spin 540. Throughout his run he included a 900 and an ally-oop 900 which launched him into first place ahead of Riddle.

The second run of the finals saw competitors pushing the limits even further than the first run. Peter Olenick who stole the show at the Breckenridge THST stop with his signature double flatspin dubbed the whiskey flip couldn’t put together an entire run today beyond his signature trick and ended up seventh overall. Mike Riddle had an incredible second run with a 540 nose-grab, a right-side 540, Cab 720, a1080 and finishing it off with a 720. Riddle solidified his second position behind Dumont.

“This was one of my best runs ever,” said second place THST halfpipe Aspen/Snowmass finisher Mike Riddle. “I felt like I had to go big, Dumont was going that big or bigger so I had to give it my all. I mean, this is the premiere series of events; it’s up there with the X Games so I had to go all out. For Squaw I’m thinking of throwing a Cab 900 at the end of my run and just trying and go bigger than Dumont. I’ve come second to him three times this year, so I’ve got to step it up somehow.”

Colby West who fell during his first run put together an incredible final run and included a switch 700 to a 900 which moved him from nearly last place into third overall with only Dumont, who had already won the event, left to ski.

For his final run, Simon Dumont charged out of the start-house and boosted a huge 540 truck driver, launching nearly 20 feet out of the pipe. He continued into an ally-oop 540, a ground-breaking 1260 and finished his flawless run with an ally-oop 1080, which had never been successfully executed in competition before today. The crowd was on their feet as Dumont was awarded a 97.50 which matches the highest score ever awarded to an athlete in halfpipe competition, which he shares with CR Johnson.

“I wanted more than just to win today,” said two time THST halfpipe winner and leader of overall points standings Simon Dumont. “I wanted to land everything and have people say, that this was the best halfpipe run they saw this year. If people don’t believe it yet, then come to Squaw Valley; because I’m gonna throw down something even better. I’m going to do whatever it takes. I want to be remembered when people talk about halfpipe skiing. I’m really doing it for the crowd and for our sport. And now that I’ve matched the highest score in halfpipe, my goal is to break it.”

ABC TELEVISION AIRDATES/TIMES:

THST will be covered in four hours of network television—one hour per event— scheduled to air on ABC. Event and airing schedules are as follows:

Event date: February 22-25, Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado

ABC airdate/times: Sunday, March 11, 2pm EST / 1pm CT / 12pm MST / 11am PST

Event date: March 8-11, Squaw Valley USA, California

ABC airdate/times: Sunday, March 25, 2pm EST / 1pm CT / 12pm MST / 11am PST

**Times for all airdates subject to change—check your local listings

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For more videos, stories, photos and general information and BaseCamp Music Experience ticket information, go to The Honda Ski Tour website www.theskitour.com

Casey Puckett & Tanner Hall Win Ski Tour #2

J Dogg — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 02:00:11 -0500

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The second stop of The Honda Ski Tour (THST) & BaseCamp Music Experience (BCME) 2007 wrapped up Sunday in Breckenridge, CO, drawing crowds in the thousands along with big-name bands, parties and the world’s best ski cross and halfpipe ski competitors. Competitors delivered both entertainment and excitement for the hundreds of spectators who came out to watch these athletes battle for the $25,000 top prize.

Ski cross competition involves four skiers racing head-to-head through a motocross-style course featuring jumps, banked turns, waves and modified terrain features. Saturday’s individual ski cross time trial qualified the fastest 14 athletes who automatically advanced to yesterday’s elimination rounds.

The first two heats of the day were the Paul Mitchell Dark Horse (PMDH) qualifier. Exclusive to THST, the PMDH qualifier allows eight skiers, who qualified 15 to 22 to race head-to-head in two heats with the winner of each heat advancing to the main event. Kyle Sul easily won his heat while Cody Smith nabbed the other PMDH position and the two had the honor of wearing the PMDH black jerseys. Both were knocked out after the first round.

Casey Puckett who seems to be on an unstoppable winning streak since taking the first THST title and his second X Games gold medal almost didn’t make the finals. In the semi-final round Puckett found himself bottle-necked with Daron Rahlves and Roman Hofer while local favorite Carl Rixon glided through without incident. First to get himself together after the crash Puckett managed to finish second to Rixon, just ahead of Rahlves, sending the most successful downhill ski racer in U.S. history to the consolation round.

“I seem to get myself into difficult situations,” said fifth place overall finisher Daron Rahlves. “That semi round was just tough. We all three tangled up, had nowhere to go. I ripped my pants apart when I crashed and shredded a whole pair of skis. I’m not very happy with the way it turned out today. Casey Puckett’s been on a good string of wins and I’m hungrier than ever to take it down. It’s not just him, there are a lot of good guys out there but I’m kind of fed up with ending up in the nets or on the snow or whatever.”

The finals proved to be a battle royal with four of the sport’s biggest names going head-to-head for the glory of being crowned The Honda Ski Tour ski cross champion. Casey Puckett didn’t have a great start but made some tactical moves, managing to get ahead after the first few turns. Stanley Hayer of Canada/Czech Republic and Enak Gavaggio battled for second and third while Carl Rixon finished in fourth. Puckett claimed his second consecutive THST victory and another check for $25,000. Hayer, who has finished second to Puckett for the second time walked away with $15,000, Gavaggio with $7,500 and Rixon added $5,000 to his bank account.

“Today took a lot of luck,” said Puckett. “You know, in the semi finals, there were three of us tumbling together, I was sliding across the snow on my face and I thought ‘okay, this is over’ but luckily I came up on my skis and managed to advance to the finals. In the finals, I wasn’t great out of the start but I was able to hit the trannies really well and make speed and really just squeak by those guys.”

Puckett continues to lead THST overall point’s standings with 200 points, 40 points ahead of Hayer with 160. Daron Rahlves has 95 cumulative points and Enak Gavaggio and Lars Lewen are tied for fourth with 89 each.

Hundreds of spectators turned out to watch the finals of The Honda Ski Tour halfpipe competition yesterday on Breckenridge’s Peak 8 where 25 of the world’s best halfpipe athletes put on an incredible show. Although Tanner Hall posted the best score for his first run, it was Peter Olenick who stole the show with his signature double flatspin dubbed the whiskey flip. The first athlete to successfully land a double flatspin in halfpipe competition, Olenick had difficulty at THST stop #1 and the X Games putting together an entire run. Not the case in yesterday’s competition, as Olenick absolutely stomped each trick this time around. His efforts which earned him a best score of 89.67, just 1.3 behind Hall, was met by boos from spectators and competitors who felt he deserved more for his incredible talent.

“This pipe is awesome, how good the pipe is makes us look better,” said modest Pete Olenick. “I guess I screwed up a little bit, but I think Tanner did too. I’m stoked on the event though, The Ski Tour is going off this year, and it’s going to be really fun at the rest of the stops. “

Andreas Hatveit of Norway was sitting in fourth position after the first run but put together an amazing second run when he dropped in switch, to a front 720, right side 900, left side 900, right side 720 and switch 900, which catapulted him onto the podium, just ahead of THST stop #1 winner, Simon Dumont.

Sean Field’s solid second run was a crowd favorite and launched him from 21st position into the money, at 6th overall.

“It felt really good. I didn’t stomp my first run so landing that second run, I was under a lot of pressure. It was just such a relief to stomp it,” said the ever positive Sean Field. “I’m stoked to be here, I’m having a lot of fun for sure.”

Sick with the flu, Tanner Hall was unable to take a second run and even missed the photo op standing a top the podium. Luckily his first run was enough to confirm his win, and regardless of whether he was present to accept his giant check, he did earn himself $25,000 and 100 overall tour standings points.

“I’m really sick,” said halfpipe winner Tanner Hall. “My plan all day was to just do one competition run and make it the best I could. After training I was put on oxygen by patrol and wasn’t sure if I could even compete. I saved all my energy for my one comp run and it turned out alright.”

Simon Dumont, whose incredible first run included an ally-oop 900, which has never been successfully executed in competition, was visibly upset by what he felt was unfair judging. Dumont declined to make a statement but still leads the overall point’s standings with 150 points followed by a close race between Olenick with 106, Hall with 100 and Matt Philippi with 95.

MORE AT WWW.THESKITOUR.COM