Shutting it down in Slopestyle! Nationals: Day 2

After an epic night of celebrating for Matt Cook winning halfpipe, we had to wake up early to practice for slopestyle. The format was the same as halfpipe with the top three scores qualifying in the first run for finals and 4-15 qualify for the second round. In the second round, only the top three qualify for finals, making it a six person showdown.

Pumped for Slopestyle!

Once again, the weather was immaculate with the sun poking through the clouds. The course was pretty icy in the morning when practice took place so everyone was taking it pretty easy. CU Boulder was looking great, as their riders were on point throwing effortless cork 9’s and dancing on the rails. Matt Cook was being a baller as usual, beasting the park with ease. At 10am after practice, the first round of the competition started.

Coach Nelson Keeping Us Stoked

Matt Cook Getting Hyphy

With the format, most riders were taking safer runs to ensure that they at least made it into the second round. After throwing a nice muted rodeo on the first jump and taking the second jump deep, I got 2^nd place in the first round which automatically put me in the finals for later that day. It really took the pressure off and I couldn’t have been more stoked with my run. With Ben, Caleb, Robby and Matt making the second round, it was a showdown for the last three spots for the finals. After a solid run, Matt Cook made the finals and Caleb once again missed it by one position.

Chris Farro Mute Rodeo

With Matt, me and four CU Boulders riders in the finals, the pressure and stoke was on. After watching the other competitors throw down, Matt and I really went for it in our first round and both ended up crashing or slipping out on the second jump. With only one run left, we had to land a solid run if we had hopes at getting on the podium. With my rail skills lacking compared to Boulder, I needed to differentiate myself from the field, so I decided to hit the last jump switch. I ended up having a really solid run, but barely put my hand down on the last jump. I ended up missing the podium by a fraction and getting 4th, but I was still stoked with that result. Matt had tough day filled with ski and binding issues and ended up in 6^th, still a respectable score.

Here are some more photos:

Bosshog Caleb - Thuglife

Coach Nelly

We've become really good friends with UCSB!