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Saturday, 21 Apr 07
And, to make things worse for most of the nine pros competing, it was their first big-mountain contest ever and $25,000 was on the line. “I mean, where are the lines?” asked snowboarder Dominque Vallee in utter confusion.
The girls were briefed on the judging criteria. They had to pick a line down this rocky venue, where they would be judged on their line choice, fluidity, aggressiveness, control, and technique. Canadian park skier Sarah Burke said, “I think the key is to ski without stopping, heh?”
Most of the girls in the contest were park skiers and snowboarders – very talented ones mind you – who freeski but not in such gnarly conditions.
“It’s nice that they are able to see what we have to deal with, the conditions we have to ski in during competitions,” said big-mountain skier Lynsey Dyer. She was a former North American freeskiing champion and now films for Warren Miller and Teton Gravity Research.
When it was Dyer’s time to compete in the park contest the other day, she was put in their shoes. She was forced to buck up and compete as uncomfortable as it was. The girls were supportive during that time, so she returned the favor on “the big-mountain day” by coaching them on their line choices. As noon loomed as the start time, the fog started to move out.
Dyer dropped into the 40-to-50-degree face on Blackcomb’s Chainsaw Ridge, skiing fast through the exposed rocks, above a 100-foot cliff. She then snuck around it to line herself up for a 30-foot air – and stomped it. The crowd went wild. Then, for round two, she did it again just as simply. Though it hasn’t been officially announced, the judges told Dyer that she won.
The park riders threw down nonetheless, airing off the ridge-line cornices, and dropping mini cliffs themselves. This event, in particular, was about stretching the limits of what you thought you could do. It was about jumping into the unknown and being proud that you did.
Later that day, the sun completely came out and all the girls gathered at Garibaldi Lift Co. for après ski. They arm wrestled, cheered to a fun week, and made plans for the “Prom” on Saturday night.
Apres ski with the Ullr Girls is fun. Sarah Burke throws a slice of celery to the talented Meg Olenick.
“This is the best après ski ever,” said park skier Grete Ellaissen, who skied strongly that day amid the cliffs.
These girls found out that there was more to their skiing quiver than they knew. They learned they could do more than just their specialty events, they could genuinely enjoy each other’s company: snowboarders and skiers, park riders and big-mountain competitors chilling together and supporting each other’s love of snow. If Ullr was a girl, he would be a blend of all these girls and their love and energy of the sports they do.
“This is the best part of the entire week,” said Dyer about the après ski. She, in retrospect, was thankful to come whether win or lose. Both her and I were happy to meet all these Jumpers.
Stay tuned for an update on the crowing of the Ullr Girl tonight …
Ullr Girl contest day 3: Big-mountain
Comment on this Post If I were blind, I surely wouldn’t want to be skiing on blue ice above exposed cliffs. But that’s what it was like inspecting the venue with the competitors at the Ullr Girl big-mountain contest. It was a foggy day on Blackcomb's Chainsaw Ridge, the grayness so thick that you couldn’t see a pink elephant on the ridge if you tried. In fact you couldn’t see anything, not even the snow below your feet. SheJumps co-founders Vanessa Pierce, left, and Lynsey Dyer after the big-mountain skier proved her mettle. If Dyer wins the $25,000 prize purse, she will donate it to the SheJumps foundation fund.
And, to make things worse for most of the nine pros competing, it was their first big-mountain contest ever and $25,000 was on the line. “I mean, where are the lines?” asked snowboarder Dominque Vallee in utter confusion.
The girls were briefed on the judging criteria. They had to pick a line down this rocky venue, where they would be judged on their line choice, fluidity, aggressiveness, control, and technique. Canadian park skier Sarah Burke said, “I think the key is to ski without stopping, heh?”
Most of the girls in the contest were park skiers and snowboarders – very talented ones mind you – who freeski but not in such gnarly conditions.
“It’s nice that they are able to see what we have to deal with, the conditions we have to ski in during competitions,” said big-mountain skier Lynsey Dyer. She was a former North American freeskiing champion and now films for Warren Miller and Teton Gravity Research.
When it was Dyer’s time to compete in the park contest the other day, she was put in their shoes. She was forced to buck up and compete as uncomfortable as it was. The girls were supportive during that time, so she returned the favor on “the big-mountain day” by coaching them on their line choices. As noon loomed as the start time, the fog started to move out.
Dyer dropped into the 40-to-50-degree face on Blackcomb’s Chainsaw Ridge, skiing fast through the exposed rocks, above a 100-foot cliff. She then snuck around it to line herself up for a 30-foot air – and stomped it. The crowd went wild. Then, for round two, she did it again just as simply. Though it hasn’t been officially announced, the judges told Dyer that she won.
The park riders threw down nonetheless, airing off the ridge-line cornices, and dropping mini cliffs themselves. This event, in particular, was about stretching the limits of what you thought you could do. It was about jumping into the unknown and being proud that you did.
Later that day, the sun completely came out and all the girls gathered at Garibaldi Lift Co. for après ski. They arm wrestled, cheered to a fun week, and made plans for the “Prom” on Saturday night.
Apres ski with the Ullr Girls is fun. Sarah Burke throws a slice of celery to the talented Meg Olenick.
“This is the best après ski ever,” said park skier Grete Ellaissen, who skied strongly that day amid the cliffs.
These girls found out that there was more to their skiing quiver than they knew. They learned they could do more than just their specialty events, they could genuinely enjoy each other’s company: snowboarders and skiers, park riders and big-mountain competitors chilling together and supporting each other’s love of snow. If Ullr was a girl, he would be a blend of all these girls and their love and energy of the sports they do.
“This is the best part of the entire week,” said Dyer about the après ski. She, in retrospect, was thankful to come whether win or lose. Both her and I were happy to meet all these Jumpers.
Stay tuned for an update on the crowing of the Ullr Girl tonight …
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