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The big wall ride. Sammy Carlson Invitational 2013 photo: Jon Tapper
The 2nd annual Sammy Carlson invitation at Mt. Bachelor this past Sunday was genius in its simplicity.
One jump. One wall ride. No podium. No medals.
One huge wall-ride = 25-feet tall, 80-feet wide.
“The wall was even sicker than last year, even though I didn’t think [creating a better wallride] was possible. This year, with the new PVC coping up top, and the whole thing being bowled out… it’s insane. This is the biggest wallride I’ve ever hit.” – Henrik Harlaut told Freeskier Magazine
Each skier had 1 hour to thrown down their best tricks in front of a cheering crowd.
The idea was not to be competition based nor format based, although awards were given out with $2,500 each.
SAMMY CARLSON INVITATIONAL AWARDS:
“Overall Champ” = Sammy Carlson = continually sliding completely across the wall
“It’s insane. As soon as you get two feet from the edge the white tube sticks out at you like crazy. Then you go over it and you see the horizon line, and you’re just like, ‘Oh shit.’ It definitely feels like you’re way up there.” – Sammy Carlson told Powder Magazine
“Best Trick on the Wall” = Hudson Knoll = alley-oop flatspin 5 onto the wall & a jump to the top of the wall
“Kamikaze Pilot” = Reed Lewis = solid rock to fakie
“Wise Guy” = Phil Casabon = switch butter cork 10 off the knuckle of the jump.
“Best Style” = Phil Casabon = unique lines others avoided
Athletes: Candide Thovex, Phil Casabon, Henrik Harlaut, Sammy Carlson, Tanner Hall, Pat Goodnough, Maks Gorham, B Devine, B Paul, Alex Schopy, Torin Yater-Wallace, Will Berman, Ben Moxham, Willie Borm, Taylor Seaton, Patrick Baskins, Reed Lewis, Hudson Knoll, McRae Williams, John Spriggs, Nicky Keefer, and many more.
This event was a huge success for the crowd and the competitors. Many of the skiers were blown away by how big and creative the wall ride that Sammy build was.
“It was the sickest wallride I’ve ever hit in my life. And the illest crew I’ve ever skied with, too.” – Pat Goodnough told Freeskier Magazine
This comp was insane live. Non-stop.
That thing is huge!