News: Rice Crowned Champion As World’s Best Riders Progress Snowboarding At Red Bull Supernatural

By TetonGravityResearch | February 5th, 2012

Travis Rice (1), Gigi Ruf (2), and Nicolas Muller (3) are shown on the podium Saturday during Red Bull Supernatural at Baldface Lodge, outside of Nelson, B.C., Canada. Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool.

Santa Monica, California – Under bright, bluebird skies, 18 of the world’s most notable up-and-comers alongside the icons of snowboarding progressed the sport to a new level, as Red Bull Supernatural ran on February 4th at Baldface Lodge outside of Nelson, B.C., Canada. From the first rider to drop, Scotty Lago, through Travis Rice’s final run, the never before ridden Red Bull Supernatural course challenged every aspect of the competitors’ talents, bringing the most progressive riding of our time together in a single run.

“We’re walking away with a different state of mind. This was an experiment and it’s the beginning of a new, possible future for snowboarding,” says Rice. “These guys ride like this all the time. It’s just a really tough thing to capture, even in a video part. No breaks, riding first tracks and on all-natural terrain. Here we are able to showcase the talent in snowboarding today.”

John Jackson celebrates on the podium after winning best trick during Red Bull Supernatural. Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool.

Rice came out hot from the very start putting down a nearly flawless run, hitting as many features as possible, stomping landings and adding inversions to multiple maneuvers. His first score of 91 held the top spot throughout the day. Gigi Rüf scored 84 points on his first run, which held the second spot throughout the day. Nicolas Müller topped John Jackson’s score of 80.6, with an 82.6 in the final run with buttery transitions and the solid, stylish riding he is known for. But Jackson didn’t walk away empty handed, he won ‘Best Trick’ by stomping a double cork 1080 off the big kicker on his final run.

“We had no idea that people would tee off that big without having ever seen anyone hit the features before,” says Tom Burt, Head Judge for Red Bull Supernatural. “This contest puts together where snowboarding is headed, riding the mountains. But adding freestyle riding into the mix really ups the level. Nature alone can’t fully provide a course like this.”

Travis Rice gets inverted during the Red Bull Supernatural. Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool.

Travis Rice’s dream run for Red Bull Supernatural is built across 2,200 vertical feet on the slope nicknamed “Scary Cherry.” The run is now host to over 80 man-made features including pillow lines, enormous platforms and goal posts in the over 40 degree top section. Most riders had hit five or more features over varying size before heading into the super-kickers where fresh powder landings allowed riders to open up with speed and style. The final slopestyle section had pillow platforms to tap and log rides that took riders straight into the finish line.

“Today was a great example of where our sport is going and what we can do to get it to the next level,” says Jeff Pensiero, Owner of Baldface Lodge. “I was surprised at how much these guys really stepped up their game to ride this course. I thought a lot of it was not rideable, but these guys proved that they earn their livings exceeding expectations.”

John Jackson sends a huge double cork 1080 to win the Red Bull Supernatural best trick award. Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool.

Standouts of the day include Terje’s fast turns punctuated by massive methods off the hip transfers, Eric Jackson’s butter into a huge 540 off an upper platform and Lucas Debari’s enormous air launched off a platform initially built as an evacuation heli platform. Burt says, “Everyone had standout moments. The talent on course today was mindboggling.” Burt also points to Devun Walsh’s 360 pillow platform tap on the final hit and Nicolas Müller’s switch 720 off the kicker as some of the day’s most notable moments.

RESULTS:
1.      Travis Rice                            91.00
2.      Gigi Rüf                                84.00
3.      Nicolas Müller                        82.60
4.      John Jackson                        80.60
5.      Lucas Debari                        77.00
6.      Kazuhiro Kokubo                  75.50
7.      Jake Blauvelt                        73.10
8.      David Carrier-Porcheron        69.20
9.      Eero Niemela                       68.90
10.    Devun Walsh                        68.80
11.    Mark Sollors                         68.30
12.    Terje Haakonsen                   68.20
13.    Eric Jackson                          65.80
14.    Mark Carter                          64.70
15.    Mark McMorris                       63.00
16.    Sage Kotsenburg                   62.00
17.    Scotty Lago                           59.40
18.    Mark Landvik                        55.50

Fans in the U.S. can tune-in March 31st to catch the two-hour Red Bull Supernatural special airing nationally on NBC from 1-3pm EST. The event airs as part of a new sports programming block called the “Red Bull Signature Series” which features the most progressive snowboarding, mountain biking, freestyle motocross, skiing and BMX events. For more information, visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com.