Apr 19, 2009
Whistler, BC – The crowd favourite Ski Invitational Big Air kicked off Whistler’s Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival in grand style last night featuring a hard charging collection of the world’s best. They did not disappoint the throngs of cheering fans, the lucky ones who watched from the outdoor patios of Whistler's famous bars that ring the "Skier's Plaza" at the mountain base.
After a sick semi-final round, the judges had the unenviable task of narrowing the field down to a 10 man super final featuring: Canadians TJ Schiller, Mike Mertion, Kris Atkinson, Ian Cosco and Austin Ross; Americans LJ Strenio and James Colby West; New Zealand’s Jossi Wells; Sweden’s Jacob Wester; and
Japan’s Shinji Osada. Photo: Big Air winners Shinji Osada (left); and Roz Groenewoud
The soft landing claimed more than a few in the semis and TJ Schiller and Austin Ross in the finals. When the slush–spray settled it was Japan’s Shinji Osada stealing the show and the $10,000 cheque with a stomped switch 1440, followed by the very smooth Jacob Wester, and LJ Strenio in third. Mike Mertion and Kris Atkinson were close behind in 4th and 5th respectively.
Jacob Wester (above) commented: "Super sick night here in Whistler. The level was completely out of hand as usual nowadays. Huge props to Shinji Osada who came out of nowhere and stomped a switch 14 to take the win."
Calgary’s Roz Groenewoud delivered a huge 1080 to take the women’s first place cheque for $2,000 followed by Maiko Hara of Japan in 2nd, and fellow Calgarian Megan Gunning in 3rd.
Action shifts next to the Orage Masters (slopestyle) in Blackcomb's famed park with teams from Dynastar, Armada, K2, 4FRNT, Line, CoreUPT, Vokll and Surface.
MEN’S BIG AIR FINALS
1 – $10,000 Shinji Osada, Japan (Strictly)
2 Jacob Wester, Sweden (Armada, Oakley, Dalbello)
3 LJ Strenio, Burlington, VT (Line, Scot,t EC headwear, jibij
4 Mike Mertion, Vernon, BC Ripcurl, Faction, Seirus, Dalbello
5 Kris Atkinson, Calgary, AB (Mountain Culture)
6 Ian Cosco, Vernon, BC (Monster, Atomic, Scott, Jiberish, Skullcandy)
7 Colby West, Breckenridge, CO, USA (Monster, Giro, Technica)
8 Eric Hughes, Park City, UT (Volkl, Marker, Scott)
9 Austin Ross, Whistler, BC
10 TJ Schiller , Vernon, BC, CAN (Monster, Orage, Armada, Dragon)
WOMEN BIG AIR FINALS
1 – $2,000 Roz Groenewoud, Calgary, AB ((Rossignol, Electric, Spyder) Huge 1080 $2000
2 Maiko Hara, Japan Strictly Ski Shop Jiro Skins Giro Dalbello
3 Megan Gunning, Calgary, Alberta (Salomon)
TJ Schiller
Colby West
Jossi Wells
Big Air crowd, Skier's Plaza, Whistler
The Whistler Ski Invitational Big is sponsored is part by Telus, Pontiac, Zune, Coca-Cola, Kokanee, Dose.ca, SBC SKIER Magazine, The Score, and Freeskier Magazine.
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