09 Sierra GTS Big Air

Posted Mar 22nd 2009 10:46PM by MamaJay - 1 comments - Average rating 10.00 of 1 rating

    I awoke early on the morning of the 21st (5:45am) realizing that I was probably going to be a little late to the Annual GTS Big Air hosted by Sierra-At-Tahoe. As a sponsor of the event I needed to be there by 8am to get our tent and other gear up to the competition area. This is a great event, held in memory of Greg Smith who was victim of a horrible accident. The event is heavily attended by both competitors and spectators alike. Scott Nikkel and Dylan Curry had decided the day before that they wanted to come and compete, so we headed down in Dubs-T's GnarVan. Please note the exposed wiring and obvious couch in the cargo area below -



   
    We arrived at Sierra just past 8am and discovered that the snow-cat bringing all the tents, gear, etc... had already left for the Alley (trail the competition was being held on). No worries! Thats why ski resorts have those people-movers that suspend you from the air on a metal chair attached to a long cable. By 9am I had the tent up, skis displayed and could fit a few laps in after snapping some pictures.</p>






    Competitors were lapping the course from the minute the lifts started cranking. The course started off with a tall flat bar with 450's off being the stock trick to through, into two of the bigger jumps i've seen in an amateur comp in the Tahoe area. Needless to say, everyone entered was stoked off the set up, and after a short riders meeting a massive train was held down the jump line.</p>








    Snow conditions were variable at best, going from sun to overcast to flurries of snow, then repeating. Straight-lining between features was mandatory for all, but it didn't keep most of the competitors from knuckling the second jump. The always changing weather also made shooting this event extremely difficult, I was tempted to switch to the "auto" setting but I resisted. Jason Arens probably took more laps through the course than anyone, getting in as many practice runs as possible to perfect his run of switch rodeo 5 off the first to flat 5 off the second jump. Other notable tricks included Dylan Curry's extremely stomped 630 off, Kyle Smaines switch 360-screamin', and Ty's double backflip off the first jump.





    After an intense throwdown sesh, it was time for the raffle and the awards ceremony. Big thanks goes out to all the sponsors and to Sierra At Tahoe for continuing to put on this great event! Ty Daybarry took home the big prize and 1st for men, Jason Arens placed 2nd, and Kyle Smaine rounded out the podium in 3rd.