First Annual U.S. Ride Shakedown Day 2

Matts Kulesik for the win! Crispin Cannon photo.

Snowboard Mag SuperPost
Words by Tawnya Schultz

2010 U.S. RIDE Shakedown Winners
Men
1. Matts Kulisek $12,000
2. Manuel Diaz $3,000
3. E-Man Anderson $2,000

Women
1. Megan Ginter $5,000
2. Hana Beaman $3,000
3. Megan Whiteside $2,000

“Copy and paste,” said Patrick Bernier, one of the creators of the Shakedown. Bernier was referring to the formula him and his partner Brendan O-Dowd used for the first Ride Shakedown event in the U.S.- one of the most influential and popular snowboard events in Quebec, Canada 9 years running.

From the outside the Shakedown may seem like your average snowboard event: a common rail jam setup and a 65 footer jump. The format however is what makes the Shakedown so unique. For both the rail jam portion and the final Shakedown, including both the jump and jib setup in the run, each contestant can lap as many times as they want, but when they’re ready to be judged, must call out their tricks on two runs. Also different is the chance ams have to qualify for the main event (being a pro-invite only in general). On the first day it was clear what sets the ams apart from the pros. Many shreds were seriously injured and sledded off the mountain, turning a somber realization to the fact that this isn’t child’s play.

Robert Pattinson from "Twilight" even made the trek out...oh wait the flick was shot right down the road.

Sponsor village.

Ride had some fun games for the spectators.

Random ollie snowskate contest.

These two were reppin' hard.

Ding!

COC in the mix.

Setup from a distance.

E-man Anderson. Crispin Cannon photo.

On day one, speed and weather were a major factor for am’s qualifying for the main event. With rain on top of snow and warm temps hardly anyone could clear the jump landing. But like someone was overheard saying “It wouldn’t be the Shakedown without rain.” A few ams pulled it together including local fav Manuel Diaz, who ended up placing second overall in finals the next night.

Ben bringing the old school pop out goggles back.

Don't know who this is...but I like it.

Megan Ginter. Crispin Cannon photo.

The rail jam semi-finals were entertaining and exhausting to watch at the same time. During the 90 minute jam some riders hiked up a good 25 to 30 times and you could see it on their faces towards the end of the session. “I’m done. I’m over it,” said Lib Tech shred, Forest Bailey with 10 minutes left, after laying down a list of banger tricks one after another. Also in top runnings were Zak Hale, Austin Hironaka, Corey Noble, Austin Sweeten, Jonah Owen, Sam Hulbert, and Yale Cousino all showing super consistency all night. The girls were in the mix as well and deserve some major credit for throwing down some carnage with the best of ‘em. After a heavy dose of rail jammage it was time to name the final three men and two women who would go head to head showing the judges what their best trick really was.

And then there were three. Austin Hironaka, Forest Bailey and Sam Hulbert had bring it in two hits and that they did. Althought Forest and Sam both landed some creative moves, the check went to home-town hero, Hironaka for his 360 Miller-flip tail grab transfer on the triple spool wood feature or the “totem pole” as the announcers were calling it. Isabelle Lalive and Megan Whiteside went head to head with “Izzy” taking the win in the end with a frontside 50/50, frontside 180 out on the down kink rail staircase.

Megan Whiteside. Crispin Cannon photo.

Hana Beaman. Crispin Cannon photo.

Competitors waiting for winners announcement.

The next day, the Summit-at-Snoqualmie was packed in for a night to remember. With a change from rain drizzles, heavy snow, to whiteout conditions in a few hour span, the skies cleared for a nice yet frosty night for the hit it or quit it finale. The men and women were once again intertwined throwing their best spins over the 65 footer and tricks on the jib setup combination. For three hours the selected riders could hit the setup as many times as they wanted or be as mellow as they’d like. They just had to, again, call out their judged runs and that was that.

The final 16 men and six women were then chosen and it was go time for real. Last year’s Canadian winner Hana Beaman was putting together some great 3 and 5 combos as was Megan Ginter. The two ladies ran neck and neck all night and it was entertaining to watch. Megan took overall top honors for 5 G’s and a prize pack including Contour HD head cams and a home speaker system. Hana won second and Megan Whiteside, third.

For the men the contest was fierce as clearing and landing in the “sweet spot” was an issue for the jump. The cold conditions had helped the speed but it still seemed off for some to hold it together. Yale Cousino was the only contestant to attempt and successfully land a 12 but fell off of the rail frustrating himself a bit. “I was so thrown off by the fact that I actually landed that I couldn’t hold it together on the rail,” said Yale. “I am so pissed that I fell on that.” His efforts did not go unnoticed as the announcers hyped him up but on his second and final attempt, he didn’t land his 9 on the jump.

For the win it was Emanuel “E-man” Anderson in third and to the stoke of his local homies and utter surprise to himself, Manuel Diaz from Chile who qualified in as an am taking second. The crowd cheered in Chilean and waved his native flag as a smiling Diaz thanked his supporters. First place honors went to Matts Kulesik from Canada. “It couldn’t have went to a nicer guy,” said Forest Bailey. Minutes before he went into finals Matts was laughing about how he’d been sleeping in his car and he said the finals were going to determine if he would last night as well. “This is the most money I’ve ever had in my entire life!,” enthused Matts holding the $12,000 Ride custom board check. All in all, a successful first Ride Shakedown in the States and with two more years slated at Snoqualmie it definitely won’t be the last.

Podium shot. Crispin photo.

For the after party everyone headed down to Seattle for a night of boozing and dancing at the newly opened Hard Rock Cafe.

Enter the after-party.

Posin' with Brian Carlin from Oakley.

Ryan Hayter and Jake Hansen from Hayter PR.

Joanna D (on the right) from South Lake Tahoe was one of the female contestants. She's awesome.

Jusso Lavisto and Finnish friend.

Drunk much? Ha. Love it.

Sean Tedore from K2, Nick Lipton from YoBeat, and Bobby Meeks from Nike.

Scotty Connerly from Dakine in the mix. Reppin' P-town.

Matty Vanatta, atta, atta datta.

Got tabs?

E-Man, Megan Whiteside, and photog Ashley Barker.

Things got blurry right about here.

Ashley, Josiane Betit from Dizzle Entertainment, Me, and a visitor.

Atmosphere's Chris Prosser and his new buddy. Poor Chris lost his legs.

Likey the hat.

Hana Beaman after a cup of Patron. Yes cup.

Mikey Leblanc bro'n down.

Dance party.

Russell Winfield was feelin' it.

Huge props to Ride Snowboards, Dizzle Entertainment, Hayter PR, The Summit-at-Snoqualmie, and The Westin in Seattle, for showing everyone a great time! More pics and video to come!!

www.rideshakedown.com

www.summitatsnoqualmie.com