Race Report: Altitude Cup Mountainboard Challenge

(Ed. Note: Pretty Tough Team Rider Melissa (Becker) Ponce de Leon is a pro mountainboarder with multiple U.S. Championships. Here is her account of the recent Altitude Cup Mountain Board Challenge.)

The Altitude Cup Mountainboard Challenge was held in Empire, CO on September 11-13th, 2009. The event consisted of a Learn to Ride on Friday, Dirt Slalom on Saturday and, Dirt Boardercross, Slopestyle and a Piñata Bonk on Sunday.

We had about 35 contestants at this year’s competition with some new faces on the course. Eleven of the top men in the Mountainboard community came out and did some amazing things. The guys from Altitude Sickness decided they would make it a little more interesting and pay the top 10 overall pro’s and top 2 women. The key to success was to compete in all three required events and go home with some cash. Sponsors for the event included: Altitude Sickness Boardshop, PowerBar, MBS, Hard Rock Café, Lewis Sweet Shop, Billy Goat Moving and Banchee bungee.

Friday September 11, 2009 we taught a Learn to Ride all day. We ended up teaching 6 people throughout the day. Since they arrived at different times we had the luxury of providing individual lessons which is the best way to go. Everyone caught on quickly and we had everyone riding in the park by the end of the day.

On Saturday the 12th we planned on doing the Dirt Slalom and Boardercross. As soon as we finished with the slalom course it started down pouring. We had everything from rain, to snow, to hail, it was intense and we had to call it for the day. The original Hard Rock Café in Empire, CO set up this amazing spread of BBQ and cobbler for us, just what we needed after being in the cold all day. We made it an early night in hopes we would have a better day Sunday.

When we woke up Sunday morning, the sun is shining. The ground was still wet but drying up nicely. We went down to the park and started to sweep and rake the track. The rain ended up being a blessing in disguise; the track was even harder and faster than before. By 11 am we were ready to race. We set up the brackets and decided on double elimination. The track was fast and super fun to watch, a lot of passing was happening everywhere.

Once we finished racing, the Slopestyle comp started; clouds were headed our way again so there was no time for a break. Everyone in Slopestyle had three runs and the judges combined the best two runs. I counted at least 20 different hits throughout the park, and we could take any line we wanted to score points. The youth, sport, women’s and master’s classes all competed this way and everyone had a great time. The judges had the Pro’s take five Slopestyle runs – two from the main line, two from the pro line and one from the hip. We got the chance to see all of the guys hit different lines throughout the competition. Everyone was throwing down their best style and landing all their tricks, it was fun to see.

The event concluded with a Piñata Bonk. Yes, just as it sounds we bonked the piñatas! We hit a jump and hit the piñata with our wheel. It was definitely a first and hopefully not a last.

Women’s Results from the 2009 Altitude Cup Mountainboard Challenge

Women Overall
1. Melissa Ponce de Leon
2. Ari Coats
3. Emily Smith-Zurawski

Women Slalom
1. Melissa Ponce de Leon
2. Ari Coats
3. Emily Smith-Zurawski

Women Slopestyle
1. Ari Coats
2. Melissa Ponce de Leon
3. Emily Smith-Zurawski

Women Boardercross
1. Melissa Ponce de Leon
2. Ari Coats
3. Amanda Poindexter

Samantha Brunner – Pro Kayaker

Sport: Freestyle Kayak
Home: Tennessee
Birthdate: 3/24/87
Occupation: Full time student
Other Sports/Accomplishments: I skydive, rock climb, and snowboard.
Favorite Athletes: Nikki Kelly, Emily Jackson, Clay Wright, Jessi Stone
Favorite College Team: Memphis Tigers!!
Favorite Sports Drink: I actually like the PowerBar electrolyte mix that you put in water, but I also like Gatorade.
Favorite Workout Music: Oohh, thats a toughie! I like the Bravery and Pendulum.
Hobbies and Interests: Photography and music!
Best Moment: Learning a trick right before my first competition and using it to win 1st place!
Dream Job: Traveling the world with my camera, kayak, and boyfriend.
Favorite Books/TV Shows: Nature Girl is a funny book and I like The Office.

What has been your biggest accomplishment?
Getting the first female descent of a creek in Colorado.

What advice would you give to up and coming female athletes?
The only way to progress is if you set reasonable goals and focus on them with hard work. Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to other people, it only gets in the way of your progression and can get you down. Stay positive and stay strong.

Competitive Highlights: 2008 USACK Women’s Pro, 1st Women’s Descent of Upper Daisy Creek, CO; 2008 North Alabama Whitewater Festival, 1st Place Pro Women’s Waterfall Freestyle Comp; 2007 North Alabama Whitewater Festival, 2nd Place Overall Pro Women’s Athlete.

Video: Supergirl Skate Street Jam 2009

If you couldn’t make it to Venice Beach last weekend for the 2009 Supergirl Jam, check out this video montage of the skateboard event. Contestants include Vanessa Torres, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, Alexis Sablone, Amy Caron, Leticia Bufoni, Tamara Drybrough and Abisha Alshebaika.

Skateboard A – Z

Can you land a switch 360 kickflip over a six stair set?  If you’re not sure what that means, read on….

50-50 GRIND
grinding on both trucks equally

ACID DROP
to ride straight off of something and freefall to the ground.

AIR
when riders clear jumps or obstacles; riding with all four wheels off the ground

ALLEY OOP
when a trick is performed in the opposite direction of which the skater is moving.

BACKSIDE
When a turn or trick is executed in a direction that the back of the body is facing the arc of the trick.

BANK
any sloped area under 90 degrees.

BOARD
also called a deck; the platform that the hardware is mounted to.

BOARDSLIDE
to slide on an obstacle or lip with the contact point being the underside of the board.

BUCKET
a helmet; also called a lid.

CARVE
to make a long, curving arc while skating.

DARKSLIDE
grinding the top of the board while you ride it upside-down.

DECK
the flat standing surface of a skateboard, usually laminated maple.

DROP IN
to enter the ramp or obstacle from the top.

FACE PLANT
when one’s face meets the ground before any other part of one’s body.

FAKIE
riding backwards.

FEEBLE GRIND
In this maneuver, the back truck grinds a rail while the front truck hangs over the rail’s far side

GOOFY FOOT
to ride with the right foot forward.

GRAB
grabbing either or both boards with one or both hands.

GRIND
trick where the skateboarder slides on the hangers of the trucks.

HALF PIPE
type of ramp that is shaped like a “U” and used for vert skating.

HAND PLANT
type of trick where one hand grabs the skate while doing a one handed handstand on a ramp, or obstacle.

HEEL FLIP
while performing an Ollie, the heel pushed down on the edge of the board causing it to flip over.

HIP
spot where a ramp or obstacle comes to a point; tricks are done while flying over or off of it.

HIT
a jump

INVERT
another name for a hand plant.

JUMP RAMP
small ramp used to give the skater some air to perform a trick.

KICK TURN
when pressure is applied to the tail of the board, lifting the front and turning it in another direction.

KICKER
name for a jump ramp. Kickers usually have the property of throwing you up into the air rather than giving you distance.

KICK FLIP
same as a Heel Flip except the toe pushes down to flip the board.

LAUNCH
the moment a rider starts to execute a jump, and the time he is actually flying through the air.

LIP
top edge portion of the halfpipe wall.

LIP TRICK
any trick performed on or near the lip of the wall of the halfpipe.

LOAD UP
to put weight on one side of the trucks or the other.

Read more

Supergirl Jam finale hits Venice Beach

The 2009 Supergirl Jam event series wrapped up in Venice Beach over the weekend as more than 50,000 Labor Day holiday spectators caught a glimpse of action sports industry’s only large scale, all-girl’s competition and lifestyle festival. The event’s prize purse totaled $36,000, so the ladies didn’t hold back and treated beachgoers to some real action.

Venice Beach may not be known for snow, but a 35- foot snowboard rail jam course, towered over the sand showcasing the skills of 24 competitors in this category. From a field that ranged in age from 14 to 29, twelve women emerged from the preliminary rounds to battle in the finals and wowed the crowd with their creative tricks.

The girls had to battle some tough conditions, not the least of which was the slush and mud that encroached on the course as the sun beat down and melted the 80,000 pounds of snow.

After 40-minutes of snowboarding, with the Pacific Ocean providing a picturesque backdrop, Laurie Currier took the top podium spot, as both the event champion and the winner of the best trick contest with her ‘hard way front one/hard way front one out.’ It was the second year in a row that Currier won the gold.

The skateboard street competition that followed offered three obstacles for the ladies to tackle. The course, set up on one of Venice Beach famed basketball courts, wasn’t particularly challenging but in the end skill and execution won out as local Amy Caron claimed the title.

“I didn’t win the first year, I didn’t win last year, so I really wanted to get it,” said Caron. “I needed to redeem myself. I tried the feeble grind down the long rail at X Games and landed in seventh place when I missed it. So, on my last run tonight I had to try it and I made it. I’m pretty stoked. [Supergirl Jam] features all sports, not just skating, so it’s great to get together and see all the ladies. That’s what it’s all about.”

Vanessa Torres (Orange County, CA), who took second place, was happy for her fellow competitor and friend, “Amy deserved to win, she skated well. I just came out here to skate, to hold it down for the ladies, so to walk away with money…I couldn’t be happier. This [Supergirl Jam] is a huge opportunity for girls.”

Alexis Sablone (Connecticut), who stunned the crowd with a ‘kick flip over the bank down the euro to flat,’ picked up not only the bronze medal, but was also awarded the best trick title.

The day began with the inline skaters. Eight women took to the street course obstacles, hitting the rails hard from the outset. Immediately, Sanchez and Fallon Heffernan (Jacksonville, FL) became the women to watch. Their runs pushed the others to take their tricks to the next level. When Sanchez nailed a ‘disaster to sweat stance,’ it gave her the best trick title and the gold. Aarin Gates (Camarillo, CA) won the silver and Heffernan, for the second year in a row, took home the bronze.

“Even though I just can’t seem to win this event, I still feel like I won today,” said Heffernan. “I was Coco’s camp coach at [Camp] Woodward, so it’s good to see her win, knowing I had a hand in pushing her to be her best.”

The Supergirl Jam series consisted of three stops this year – the Association of Surfing Professionals Grade-4 Supergirl Pro Junior contest that took place on August 15 & 16 in Oceanside, CA; the Supergirl Pro-Am Jam Skateboard Street competition that took place at Woodward West in Tehachapi, CA, on August 19; and the finale at Venice Beach.

Event Results:
Inline Best Trick Top 5:

1) Coco Sanchez (San Francisco, CA); 2) Aarin Gates (Camarillo, CA); 3) Fallon Heffernan (Jacksonville, FL); 4) Chynna Weierstall (Roseville, MI); Katie Ketchum (Buffalo, NY)

Skateboard Street Top 5:

1) Amy Caron (Huntington Beach, CA); 2) Vanessa Torres (Orange County, CA); 3) Alexis Sablone (Connecticut); 4) Tamara Drybrough (Port Coquitlam, Canada); 5) Leticia Bufoni (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Snowboard Rail Jam Top 5:

1) Laurie Currier (Wrightwood, CA); 2) Nicki Slechta (Los Angeles, CA); 3) Desiree Melancon (Riverside, CA); 4) Madison Blackley (Park City, Utah); 5) Colleen Quigley (Groton, MA)

Check back for pics and video from the event. In the meantime, if you need a primer on action sports start with  snowboard lingo and  skateboard lingo.

Leticia Bufoni wins Supergirl Pro-Am Jam at Woodward

Leticia Bufoni of Sao Paulo, Brazil, bested the line-up of 20 professional and amateur skateboarders this afternoon in the Supergirl Pro-Am Jam Skateboard Street contest, taking home the overall title and the $3,000 top prize.  As the top-scoring amateur in the contest, Abby Zsarnay, qualified to compete in the Supergirl Jam Skateboard Street professional competition scheduled to be held at Venice Beach over Labor Day weekend.

New to the event series this year, the Supergirl Pro-Am Jam is the second stop on the 2009 Supergirl Jam, the action sports industry’s only large-scale, all-female competition and lifestyle event designed to promote female empowerment, strength and independence.  Woodward West in Tehachapi, CA, opened its Hangar 18 Big Street course for the Supergirl Pro-Am Jam, providing a diverse and competitive layout for the skaters who ranged in age from five to 25.   Supporting the progression of females in action sports and infusing the industry with new talent is the basis for both the Supergirl Jam and Woodward West.

This is the first Supergirl Jam Skateboard Street contest win for Bufoni who has competed in the event since its inception in 2007. She took the lead from the first run of the afternoon, proving early that she was the skater to beat.
“I am so happy to win,” said Bufoni.  “I’ve been practicing every day for this contest.”

Hot on Bufoni’s heels was camp favorite and Woodward West staff member Amelia Brodka, originally of Nowa Sarzyna, Poland.  Turning 20 on Tuesday, Brodka celebrated with a 2nd place finish and thanked the camp attendees who cheered her to the end.

“I was so tired going into the finals,” said Brodka. “The cheers pushed me so much and helped me keep going.”

Amy Caron of Huntington Beach, CA, rounded out the top three finishers.
The Supergirl Jam opened an entry for the top-scoring amateur in today’s contest to compete in the series’ finale on September 6 at Venice Beach.  Zsarney was moved to tears when learning that she had qualified for this honor.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” said Zsarney. “I just went out there and did my best no matter what anyone else said.  That’s what being a Supergirl is all about.”

On September 6 the Supergirl Jam will host the Skateboard Street, Snowboard Rail Jam and Inline Best Trick contests at Venice Beach. Starting at 11:30 a.m.

Official Results:

Leticia Bufoni (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 88.17;
Amelia Brodka (Nowa Sarzyna, Poland) 82.50;
Amy Caron (Huntington Beach, CA) 81.33;
Lyn-z Adams Hawkins (San Diego, CA) 77.42;
Elizabeth Nitu (Los Gatos, CA) 73.33;
Abby Zsarnay (Santa Paula, CA) 73.25;
Vanessa Torres (Orange County, CA) 70.83;
Abisha Alshebaiki (San Francisco, CA) 70.83;
KerriAnn Reichard (Portland, OR) 66.67;
Alex White (Los Angeles, CA) 60.33;
Brooke Whipp (Murray, UT) 56.33;
Chelsea Castro (Long Beach, CA) 55.67.

(via press release)

Courtney Conlogue wins 2009 Supergirl Pro Junior

In a hotly contested battle that was decided in the final seconds by only a half point, Courtney Conlogue ripped through the waves in Oceanside, California, this afternoon and bested her competitors to claim the honor of being the 2009 Supergirl Pro Junior Champion and take home the $5,000 top prize.

Boasting a $15,000 total prize purse, the 2^nd Annual Supergirl Pro Junior is the first event in this year’s Supergirl Jam, the action sports industry’s only large-scale, all-female competition and lifestyle events designed to promote female empowerment, strength and independence.

Conlogue, who recently won this year’s U.S. Open of Surfing women’s event and a USA team and individual gold medal in the International Surfing Association’s World Surfing Games, battled Malia Manuel (Kauai, HI), Sage Erickson (Ojai, CA) and Nikita Robb (East London, South Africa) for the Supergirl title.  Manuel, Erickson and Robb placed second, third and fourth, respectively.

“Last year I took fourth in this event and saw Coco Ho take home the Supergirl cape when she won it,” said Conlogue.  “I really wanted the win—and to take home the cape to be this year’s Supergirl champion.  It’s an honor to win an event like this that focuses on, and supports, the girls.”

Competing in smaller surf conditions than day one of the event weekend, the finals got started with a bang.  Conlogue grabbed the highest score of the final out of the gate, when she posted a 7.50 on her opening wave.  Manuel answered with her second and third waves, posting a 5.75 and 6.65 to take the lead.  With Manuel in the lead, Conlogue hunted the horizon for an answer, but fell short until her fifth wave, when she posted a 5.40.  With only minutes remaining in the final, Conlogue continued to catch waves while employing a defensive strategy to Manuel by shadowing her in the line-up.  As the clock ticked down, Conlogue hung on to win by a nail-biting half point.

“I knew it was going to be a battle with Courtney right to the end—and it was.  We were both fighting hard for the win,” said Manuel. “This is my first time competing in the Supergirl Pro Junior and I’m happy with the result.”

Final Results—Supergirl Pro Junior 2009

1) Courtney Conlogue 12.90 points

2) Malia Manuel 12.40 points

3) Sage Erickson 8.15 points

4) Nikita Robb 6.45 points

3rd Annual Supergirl Jam skateboard street line-up announced

The 3rd Annual Supergirl Jam, set to take place at Venice Beach, California, on Sunday, September 6, is pleased to announce a talented line-up of competitors for the Skateboard Street competition in the industry’s only large-scale, all-girls action sports contest.

The Supergirl Jam will feature top female action sports athletes in a competition series designed to promote and celebrate female strength, independence and empowerment. The following “actionistas” are scheduled to compete in Venice Beach in one of the best fields of female skateboarders ever assembled:

Abisha Alshebaiki
Lyn-z Adams Hawkins
Lacey Baker
Allysha Bergado
Amelia Brodka
Leticia Bufoni
Amy Caron
Tamara Drybrough
Brooke Durgin
Ashley Espinoza
Patiane Freitas
Mayra Gallegos
Esther Godoy
Racine Hopkins
Candy Jacobs
Lorena Lima
Monica Messias
Alize Montes
Elizabeth Nitu
Sophie Poppe
Stacie Roberts
Renata Ruiz
Elissa Steamer
Vanessa Torres

To showcase the girls’ skateboarding street skills, custom-built, mobile skateboard street elements will be set up next to the beach for the competition by the same company that builds courses for the X Games, the Action Sports World Championships, and the Maloof Money Cup.

“All the girls are really excited about this year’s Supergirl Jam and looking forward to the competition,” said Lauren Perkins, the 2008 Supergirl Jam Skateboard Street champion and 2009 Supergirl Jam Skateboarding Ambassador. “While I’m injured and can’t compete to defend my title, I’m still going to be there this year to support the event and encourage all the girls. This is a great event for female skateboarders and something we look forward to every year.”

To support the vast local skateboarding community in Venice Beach, ASA Entertainment (ASA) and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, the Supergirl Jam producers, will work with the Venice Skateboard Association (VSA) to promote the incredible new skatepark opening in Venice Beach later this fall. **

“We’re thrilled that the Supergirl Jam is coming to Venice Beach and supporting the world’s best female skateboarders,” said Geri Lewis, founder of the Venice Skateboard Association. “As avid activists on behalf of the sport of skateboarding, we are looking forward to the event, as well as the opening of the Venice Skatepark later this year — a world-class venue to continue developing skateboarding in the community.”

The Supergirl Jam is free for spectators to attend, and will also showcase top professional women’s snowboarders in a Snowboard Rail Jam contest being held that same day (yes, it will snow at Venice Beach!) and an all-girls inline skating best trick contest.

While all the action will be televised on several networks this fall, including CBS Sports, FUEL TV and Fox Sports Net, TheWB.com and GO211.com will be streaming the competition LIVE via their websites starting at 11:30 a.m. PST that day.

In the meantime, check out this vid featuring a number of the skaters (Elissa Steamer, Vanessa Torres,  Lacey Baker,  Leticia Bufoni and more) from the X Games comp earlier this month.

** The Venice Surf and Skate Association (VSA) wasn’t originally on board for this event. It is, however, now officially recognized as the controlling entity for opening festivities at the new Venice Beach skatepark after fifteen hard years of work and a bunch of last minute commotion over the last two weeks.  For a recap of what transpired, check out this post on YoVenice.com.

And for  more information on the Supergirl Jam and its activities, visit www.supergirljam.com

Day Two of the Burton New Zealand Open Snowboarding Championships

Heavy snowfall and limited visibility delayed the start of the second day of the seventh annual Burton New Zealand Open, but the riders and course crew overcame the challenging conditions with a full day of competition. It was no small task as over 70 men and 35 women from 16 countries were slated to take to Cardrona Alpine Resort’s newly sculpted slopestyle course, each vying for a highly coveted spot in Friday’s semifinal competition.

The men were first to drop into the 800m-long course featuring up and downrails, boxes, three kickers and a unique upstair feature to quarterpipe. Following that competition, a thick fog rolled in making things more difficult for the women as they were lined up and ready to go for their turn in the course.

Thirty-five women were to take two runs through the course, the best score counting, however Mother Nature had other plans and the women were only able to take their first run.  Tommorrow morning will see the continuation of the women’s slopestyle qualifications, followed by men’s and women’s semifinal and final competitions.

Women advancing on to semifinals and finals will compete against riders like  Chanelle Sladics (USA), Cheryl Maas (NED), Jamie Anderson (USA), Lisa Wiik (NOR), Sarka Pancochova (CZE), Shelly Gotlieb (NZL), Silvia Mittermuller (GER), Sina Candrian (SUI) and Spencer O’Brien (CAN).

The NZ Open action continues with men’s and women’s halfpipe qualifications. Cardrona Alpine Resort is the home to the only 22’ halfpipe in New Zealand, which is the same size pipe that will be featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Video: X Games Women’s Skateboard Comp

2007 X Games winner Marisa Dal Santo reclaimed gold in this year’s dramatic street competition.

Check out this video for highlights of the event.

Final Results from the Skateboard Women’s Street Final competition held at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on July 30, 2009.

Name/Rank Hometown Score
Marisa Dal Santo Chicago, Ill. 374.00
Alexis Sablone Brooklyn, N.Y. 353.00
Elissa Steamer San Francisco, Calif 350.00
Lacey Baker Covina, Calif. 323.00
Vanessa Torres Silver Lake, Calif. 281.00
Leticia Bufoni Sao Paulo, Brazil 278.00
Amy Caron Huntington Beach, Calif. 261.00
Evie Bouilliart Huntington Beach, Calif. 252.00
Abisha Alshebaiki Temecula, Calif. 196.00
Tamara Drybrough Port Coquitlam, Canada 124.00

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