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Well, the sport of Powder 8 skiing is alive and well. At least, that's the report from Jay Peak Resort, host to the recently completed New England Powder 8 Championships presented by Synchroski.Com.
Four elite teams from the Rocky Mountains traveled to blustery Vermont, to the home of the deepest powder in the eastern U.S. to take on whatever four tough east coast teams could throw at them. To no one's surprise, the Rocky Mountain skiers went home with the top four places, led by Josh Lautenberg and Nina Oqvist of Vail, who narrowly defeated Jim Schanzenbaker and Andy Docken of Aspen in a thrilling finish to this inaugeral event, followed by the Rocky Mountain Champs from Big Sky, Nick Herrin and Troy Nedved and then BJ Aguilar and Jon Morath of Vail.
While the eastern skiers may have learned a thing or two at the hands of their western brethren, they went away with a renewed vigor for the sport and an enhanced appreciation of what it takes to win. "These guys were tremendous," said 8th place finisher, Australian David Bowyer of Okemo Mountain Resort, "they just put the hammer down all the way without sacrificing any turn quality whatsoever….we'll have to work harder if we want to close the gap anytime soon."
The eastern teams were not the only impressed viewers at Jay Peak however. The quality of the skiing displayed was tremendous," said Jay Peak Resort president Bill Stenger. "Next year, I promise you we can do an even better job with this event and we are looking forward to it."
The success of the event was created by more than just the fine skiing. A top event staff of Australian snowboarder instructors made questions of logistics evaporate into a smooth flowing event, bolstered by the support and participation of Director of Snowsports Micky Doheny and his staff, proving that such events are not so much a question of money, but one of attitude and desire…and a friendly host mountain.
Of course, such events could not be possible without the support of industry sponsors, such as Atomic, who has been a proud supporter of powder 8 skiing for a long time, Descente, who annually clothes some of the best powder 8 skiers in the world and lends it's support to the events as well, not to mention Rudy Project USA, makers of the world's best technically cool eyewear and OVO USA, a leader in brain bucket safety.
NATIONAL POWDER 8 CHAMPIONSHIPS ROCK INTO BIG SKY, MONTANA
The next order of business for the best powder 8 skiers in the U.S. is to get together in Big Sky, Montana on March 28th and 29th to decide the question of "who is the best in 2003?"
After the first ever eastern powder 8 event, the skiers now must shift gears, preparing themselves for the big mountain terrain for which Big Sky is so well known. Steeper pitches, longer, faster turns and a lot more fear wait just around the corner, as America's best will vie for the honor of National Champion and the opportunity to represent the USA at the World Powder 8 Championships in Blue River, British Columbia in April.
While New England winners, Lautenberg and Oqvist, are certainly skiing well in their first year as a team, it may well be a whole new ball game at Big Sky, home turf to Rocky Mountain Champs Nedved and Herrin, as well as a return to the memory of their best days ever for defending National Champs Schanzenbaker and Docken of Aspen. In addition to those challenges, a winning team would still have to wade through another 2 top teams from Beaver Creek, Colorado and then, the inevitable field of talented dark horse teams who have as much experience in such events as the bigger name pros. For more information and details concerning the National Powder 8 Championships, visit www.bigskyresort.com or write us at synchroski@vermontel.net
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WHAT'S NEXT IN THE WORLD OF POWDER 8S?
At the end of the 2003 season, the Pro Powder circuit has two established events, the National Championships at Big Sky, Montana and the New England Powder 8 Championships at Jay Peak Resort, Vermont.
That just isn't enough. Enough for what? Enough for a valid pro series worthy of additional media coverage, increased sponsorships and additional sponsor funding. Does that matter? Yep, sure does.
Without the security such things bring, the sport will continue to totter back and forth between respectability and being lost in the background. Given the high level of skiing talent in the sport, these athletes deserve more. They bring grace, speed, and a flair for having fun to their skiing world, yet have to compete with the current climate of bigger air is better and nothing else matters.
What's the answer? More events clearly. Too much money you say? Nope, you're wrong.
As the event in New England proved, with some time invested and using only the fees paid by the athletes to enter, a new event was born and the host resort is now willing to continue doing so for years to come. That's the first step…just get something going and worry about the amount of prize money and benefits later! Everything else will follow in due course.
Now that two events are on the schedule, this pro tour needs to renew a relationship in Colorado (Loveland? Copper Mountain? ) and find a way to bring Utah into the fold (Snwobird?, Alta? The Canyons?) We at Synchroski.Com are willing to work to help any event promoter taking on the task of starting a new event, but it is up to you…we hope you rise to the challenge; the "8s" are a part of skiing lore.
NEXT MONTH IN SYNCHROSKI MAGAZINE:
***Results from the National Powder 8 Championships.
***World Powder 8 Championship Info
***The Future of Team Synchro
***A European Report: Synchro racing
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