Monster Boarderstyle, Whistler 2016

OK! This past Saturday the Monster Energy Boarderstyle “World Championships” capped the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival on Blackcomb Mountain in rowdy fashion. Minus the presence of 2014 2nd place finisher, Terje Haakonsen, this was easily the heaviest start list the bracket-board has seen. Mark Sollors, Tyler Nicholson, Darcy Sharpe, Zach Hale, Rube Goldberg, Logan Short, Mark Tremblay, Scot Brown, Mikey Ciccierali - all failing to fight their way to the finals. Along with Charles Reid who had just recently won the Fernie, BC and Stoneham, PQ stops of the tour couldn't race because of injury.

Only the strong could survive this course, another labyrinth of challenges that fought to make riders stumble at every turn. The final jump (where mandatory rotations judged better than those ahead can bump you through to the next round or higher on the podium) continued to provide the best entertainment in snowboarding. Close calls, shattered dreams, near collisions and even a few 900’s were thrown down.

Out of the women it was Stephanie Haines that blew through the competition and dominated the finals taking home 1st place and $800. Alexa Welgan played second fiddle and took $400. Whistler local Darrah Reid landed $200 in 3rd place and Mutsumi Ido rounded out the final four for the ladies.

The Men. It was a first-time Boarderstyle competitor from Quebec, Felix Dallaire, that stunned the start list qualifying with the fastest time and then proceeded to man-handle the bracket in every heat and stay on top though the finals. “It’s crazy how fast he is.” said one of his friends we talked to. “he has always won every race he enters, to us it’s no surprise he won.” That speed paired with flawless Backside 7’s put $5000 dollars and the win in his pocket. Known for his halfpipe riding / olympian status, Derek Livingston, used that knowledge of transition and air awareness to take 2nd. Rehett Haubrich finished the race in 4th but a bad-ass backside 9 over the table was enough to double his $500 payday to $1000 put him in 3rd over local threat Warren Williams who rounded out the finals.

What’a day, what’a day. This year saw Boarderstyle hit a 3 legged tour across Canada, we can only hope Monster has bigger and better planned for next year. Till then.

Photos: Russell Dalby