Canada's TJ Schiller Wins X Games Slopestyle

Jan 26, 2009

Author: sbcskier.com

Canada’s TJ Schiller edged out American favourites Sammy Carlson and Colby West to take the X-Games Slopestyle Men’s gold. TJ’s victory topped the X-Games as the most exciting and sweetest comeback story. Coming off a long recovery from knee injury, TJ gained an 11th hour X-Games entry after top ranked fellow Canadian JF Houle broke his ankle in practice, and then Jacob Wester and Jon Olsson became last minute drop outs.

"Last year I blew out my knee and it was a long road to recovery. To win the X Games is the ultimate comeback," the native of Vernon, BC, Canada enthused. "To come in as an alternate and to stand here as the winner is great, I am so stoked!" TJ claimed the title on his first run that featured a 270 on and off the opening rail, switch onto the butter box with the only rodeo 540 off, rodeo 720 off the cannon box, a huge right side 900 mute over the channel gap, wrapping with a switch 1080 mute.

TJ Schiller. Zuccareno photo

TJ Schiller. Zuccareno photo

Sammy Carlson’s silver medal run featured tech rail tricks, followed by a switch 1080 poke, a huge cab 900 over the channel gap, and finished with a 1260 on the last hit. Colby West, who led the Slopestyle qualifying, threw a huge switch misty 900 over the channel gap, and a big cork 900 on the money booter to score third. "I am happy with third," West said.  "After I fell on my second run, I saw the way TJ and Sammy skied.  I am happy to be on the podium."

Sammy Carlson. Zuccareno photo

Norway’s Andreas Hatveit, the 2008 X-Games Slopestyle champ, finished fourth followed by Canada’s Phil Casabon in fifth. American Bobby Brown, another last minute entry after Tanner Hall dropped out scored sixth.

Men's Slopestyle podium (L to R): Sammy Carlson, TJ Schiller, Colby West. Zuccareno photo

RESULTS – X-GAMES MEN’S SLOPESTYLE
1. TJ Schiller, Vernon, BC, CAN (Monster, Orage, Armada, Dragon) 93.00
2. Sammy Carlson, Hood River, OR, USA (Rockstar, Salomon, Oakley) 91.00
3. Colby West, Breckinridge, CO, USA (Monster, Giro, Empire) 90.00
4. Andreas Hatveit, Sudndalen, NOR (Atomic) 89.00
5. Phil Casabon, Shawinigan, BC, CAN (Orage, Oakley, Armada) 86.33
6. Bobby Brown, Breckenridge, CO, USA (Salomon, Smith, Under Armour) 81.33
7. Matt Walker, Aspen, CO, USA (Salomon, Scott, Skull Candy) 78.00
8. Charles Gagnier, Victoriaville, QC, CAN (Salomon, Spy, Bula) 72.00

Return to previous page