2008 VERBIER XTREME: US Skiers Make A Big Impression
Cody Townsend of USA
Olivier Maire |
The men’s field was a mixed bag of name-brand freeriders and competition stalwarts. There is a marked difference between competitive skiing in Europe and back home in North America. While high-profile pros in the States tend to use the competitive circuit as a launch pad for careers in filming, usually leaving it behind for good, their European counterparts are not only expected to compete every year, they relish it. With past winners like Seb Michaud, Aurélien Ducroz, and Kaj Zackrisson in attendance, the American field had their work cut out for them.
The surprise of the World Tour was the lead ranking of Swedish skier Henrik Windstedt. “He’s the best all around skier in the world right now,” said Cody Townsend. Starting fifth, Windstedt charged a fluid run riddled with big airs, and found a “bouquetin” (Swiss billygoat) line that led to the event’s biggest air. Unfortunately, he double-ejected in the punchy landing and probably would have won the event hands-down.
Drew Tabke, a veteran IFSA competitor from Utah, took the lead after throwing a backflip off the last cliff and squeaking out a loose 360 on a lower windlip that had the crowd roaring.
Townsend came next. Skiing a fast line with two big airs, he was down the face quick and clean, putting him into second place. “I had to improvise a little after my first air at the top, but I am happy with my line,” he said.
Kaj Zackrisson has owned the Verbier Xtreme for the past two years on the Bec, and he wasn’t going to give up his hold on the Gilles Voirol trophy. He worked a technical line similar to Winstedt’s, but found a new exit air, gapping from a cliff to the lower windlip in his trademark style. He would apparently own the Gélé as well, moving into first.
Altoid Griffin Post was the next American, and delivered the scare of the day with a sketchy double, airing into a tiny sliver of snow. Narrowly pulling it off, he found himself in the top 10.
Kirkwood local Craig Garbiel had the 15th bib, and managed to pick a line that had the winning elements. He nailed both airs, skiing into fourth place. “I had a little bauble and a little backslap,” he said, “but I skied the same line as Kaj, who won it, so I was stoked. Had I skied it a little cleaner, who knows what would have happened? I could have been in the big money.”
Garbiel found his way onto the FWT the old-fashioned way: he qualified. “I got wildcarded [after a fourth-place finish in Mammoth] into the Big Mountain Pro,” he said, “then went to Tignes, and here. The fact that they’re recognizing good skiing and hooking people up is really cool.”
Nissan / O’Neill Verbier Xtreme
Women’s Ski:
1. Elyse Saugstad AK, USA
2. Jesse McMillan JH, USA
3. Marja Persson SWE
Men’s Ski
1. Kaj Zackrisson SWE
2. Drew Tabke UTA
3. Cody Townsend CALI
Freeride World Tour
Women’s Ski Champion: Elyse Saugstad
Men’s Ski Champion: Henrik Windstedt
For more results and video, go to www.freerideworldtour.com
Elyse Saugstad, Cody Townsend, and Kaj Zackrisson
Jack Shaw |
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