Protest Snowboard Slopestyle Championships

The fourth and final day of competition at the BRITS 2012 saw Jamie Nicholls and Katie Ormerod destroy the perfectly shaped Laax park to take home the gold in the Protest Snowboard Slopestyle Championships. The cream of British shredders saved their best for last – bathed in glorious sunshine, the level of riding was ridiculous with an array of super smooth double corks, 9s, 10s and even a double frontflip.

The men’s category saw what must have been the highest standard of qualifiers in BRITS history, where even 7s and rodeos were not enough to secure a place in the final. Eventually the finalists were whittled down to ten riders who were given two opportunities to stomp their best run. Fresh from an eighth place finish at the European X Games there was simply no stopping Jamie Nicholls who was in unbeatable form once again. His winning run included a cab 270 on 270 off on the down rail, a super corked 7, a back 3, a front 9, a huge cab 10, a cab 5 over the hip and a back 3 over the wall gap. After his win, Jamie said: “I love coming here and seeing all the kids riding. It was a great day and everyone rode really well. We need new generations and this event pushes the sport along. I’d also like to thank The BRITS organisers who have supported me all the way. I’ve had an epic season and it’s great to come back here and become champion again at the end of it.”

Nelson Pratt was also on top form all day, treating spectators to some incredibly stylish manoeuvres to take second place. His best run consisted of a front boardslide on the down rail, a slow and steezy front 3 off the pole jam, a back rodeo, a cab 5, a ridiculously styled front 7, a melon over the hip, finishing with a front 180 melon over the gap.

The youths were particularly impressive throughout the competition, showing the depth of British shred talent, and 15-year-old Matt McCormick belied his years to finish in third place. He rode consistently well all day and threw down a front board pretzel out on the down rail, a switch back 180 over the pole jam, a backflip, a front 7, a back 7, a boardslide on the goalpost rail and a 5050 to boardslide to fakie on the flat down box. Special mentions must also go to Sam Turnbull and Jamie Trinder who were ripping all day and threw down a double rodeo and a double corked 10 respectively. Unfortunately for them they couldn’t quite land their runs in the final and missed out on a spot on the podium.

The women’s category was one of the most competitive female slopestyle comps the BRITS has seen. The shredettes were laying down bigger and better runs as the day went on. After her amazing win in the big air yesterday, all eyes were on 14-year-old Katie Ormerod, and she didn’t disappoint to add another gold medal to this year’s medal tally. She has one of the most relaxed styles around and landed a boardlide to fakie on the top box, a cab 5 with a late indy, a front 180, a big indy, a smooth back 3, a board tap on the goalpost rail and a 5050 to front boardslide on the flat down box. “I’m really happy!” Katie said, “I love the slopestyle and I’m stoked to win the Protest holiday to a surf camp – I go to Cornwall every year so it will be great to get better at that too!”

Becky Menday also rode well all day, consistently stomping her tricks deep on the landing to take second place. She laid down a run of a front 180 on 180 off of the top box, a back 3, an indy, a method, a front 180, a back boardslide on the goalpost rail and a clean back noseslide on the flat down box. India Stephenson collected her second podium spot in as many days to come third, landing a boardslide to fakie, a half cab, a straight air, an indy, a back 3, a front 3, an air over the hip and a back noseslide on the box.

Protest Snowboard Slopestyle Results

Men Women

1st – Jamie Nicholls 1st – Katie Ormerod

2nd – Nelson Pratt 2nd – Becky Menday

3rd – Matt McCormick 3rd – India Stephenson

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2012 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Trespass, Dare2b, Snow+Rock and Nooka. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, Ski Club of Great Britain, Metrosnow.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and LAAX. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.