When I met you and you started getting serious about riding at about 13… Did you have any idea that you would be just focused on racing BX at age 20?

At first I thought I would go to the top of the pipe realm and then started getting more into slope and doing tricks. But in 2010 after tearing my MCL I kinda got a little weirded out with all that… but still had the jumping & skate mentality and Boardercross was just where things started clicking. I never thought I would be a professional Boardercross racer at the age of 20. But its just so f*cking fun…

Backcountry Sequence

Hagen in the Pipe

What riders inspired you most back then?….what about now?

When I started it was pretty much whoever was in the TB9 movies, the Totally Board Movies, Terje, Farmer, Palmer and Shaun White, JP Walker back then… and now still Shaun Palmer is one of my biggest influences. I still think Shaun White is one of the total badasses and he inspires me a lot just because he is so solid at everything he does. And Travis Rice for taking snowboarding to a whole new level and being a complete monster at everything he does.

Is it true you and Palm (Shaun Palmer) are thinking of starting a band?

We’ve been talking about it so – hopefully. He said he’s got a lot of lyrics and is jonesing to play. I think anything can happen but its definitely been talked about. Yeah

You spent lots of years hittin park kickers and ridin pipe….When did you decide to race full time?

Click Here to Read More

Started doing slope and started getting back to back 7s and started doing Grand Prix, but it was pretty overwhelming, cause I just jumped in with those guys and that’s when people started throwing double corks. It was good and I had some desire to do it. But then I got invited to a Boardercross training camp in Telluride about two years ago and just… was able to hang with those guys a little bit at least.

When Harry and I both did the Nor-Ams and I beat Bobby Minghini and Alex Tuttle in a heat one time and I didn’t even know who they were. I just saw a lot more excitement in racing Boardercross and a lot more of my riding style, just started going fast and going big and just charging and chasing everything as if I’m skating and that’s kinda what Boardercross is like to me. Just the thrill of getting the hole shot.

Hagen Kearney at Valmelenco

Its obvious that being so solid in the air plays a factor in racing on the bigger tracks…who else are the best jumpers in BX right now?

Bobby Minghini is really good at jumps. I think Jonathan Cheever is pretty damn good – he’s got quick legs. Pierre Vaultier is pretty quick… and Chumpy. And Jason Hale is too, cause he’s got a skateboarding background. He’s one of the guys who can get a really quick start and move his legs and find every bit of tranny.

Hagen Kearney at Valmelenco

How does it feel to be High rollin in Manhatten tonight, leaving for Valmelenco in the am…. Plus, earning 3 coaches discretion world cup starts so this year?  I heard that some coaches are saying you have the best starts in the world. Can you talk about your 4 Nor Am victories this season?

Actually I’ve just had three… But, this year has been so good, because I’ve just put all of my focus on Boardercross and its really paid off, I’ve hardly been in the park, which is kind of a bummer… But I train really hard in the fall and get a lot of on-snow Boardercross training and I ride with guys that are better than me, like Kevin Leahy and the Minghini Brothers and the Telluride Training Camp with the whole US Team… And Ross Hindman and those guys (at the ISTC) are really pushing all of us. Its just a constant go, constantly training and pushing it.

Ridin Dirty

Maelle Ricker & Pierre Vaultier victorious in Stoneham SBX

STONEHAM, Quebec, Canada (FEB 21) – Maelle Ricker (CAN) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA) have secured victory in the season’s fifth snowboard cross race of the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup tour which took place in Stoneham, Quebec, today. While the fastest qualifier relegated French rivals Nelly Moenne Loccoz and Deborah Anthonioz to second and third in the women’s final, the current World Cup leader (3,632 points) crossed the finish line ahead of Nikolay Olyunin (RUS) and Jonathan Cheever (USA) in the men’s final. 

SBX World Cup Stoneham, CAN - Finals - Heat 14 Men - Mateusz Ligocki (POL) in blue, Nick Baumgartner (USA) in yellow, Jonathan Cheever (USA) in green, Nikolay Olyunin (RUS) in white, Stian Sivertzen (NOR) in red, Hagen Kearney (USA) in black Photo: Oliver Kraus/FIS

Dominique Maltais (CAN), who had lost all hopes for a home turf win in the semi finals due to a riding mistake, won the consolidation run and placed seventh thus still sitting in first of the women’s SBX World Cup ranking (3,560) with a comfortable lead.

Stoneham World Cup

SBX World Cup Stoneham

This summer, you could be slashing huge pillow lines in Argentina while taking college credits, learning backcountry safety and speaking Spanish with the Señoritas. To find out more about how you can be in the Argentina backcountry all summer long, visit the SGT Website at http://www.sassglobaltravel.com/trips/snow_trips

SASS Global Travel Photo by Ferguson

]]> http://sbxmagazine.com/fly-south-little-birdie/feed/ 0 http://sbxmagazine.com/train-at-copper-mt/ http://sbxmagazine.com/train-at-copper-mt/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:16:31 +0000 sbxmagazine http://sbxmagazine.seshn.com/?p=1352 Get On Course Training time before Nationals!

Registration for Boardercross and Skiercross training on March 28th, 29th & 30th at Copper Mountain is now OPEN. As in years past, we will have coaching available for an additional fee for both snowboarders and skiers. Please click here if you are interested in coaching for your athlete.

The links below will take you directly to the registration page for each training session. Registration is available only online and once a session is full we cannot take any additional riders / skiers. These are very popular sessions and have sold out in the past prior to the registration deadline. Register early to avoid disappointment.

Online Registration

• March 28th, 2012 – SBX / SX
• March 29th, 2012 – SBX / SX
• March 30th, 2012 – SBX / SX

What you need to know:

• Riders will pick up a training bib in the event registration office. This bib must be returned at the end of the day or you will be charged $25 for not returning the bib. There will be a box outside the Event Registration Office door to return you bib.
• Discounted lift ticket ($39) will be available at Group Ticket sales when you present your bib
• Access the course via either the American Flyer or the new Union Creek Quad Chair
• You are entering a SLOW ZONE immediately upon exiting the course. Follow the “lollipops” down “skiers right” to the run “Snow Deal” and to the Union Creek Quad. Typically only competitiors are using the “Snow Deal” lift maze. Remember its a SLOW ZONE after exiting the course, so please be cool and you’ll have a great day!

NEW for the 2011 / 2012 Season

HELMETS CERTIFIED FOR SNOW SPORTS USE ARE REQUIRED
DOT approved helmets will NOT be allowed to be used. Be sure that you are wearing a helmet that is approved for snowsports use and has the correct sticker / certification on / in the helmet. You will not be allowed to participate in training if you attempt to use a helmet not approved for use.

If you have any questions, please consult the 2011/12 USASA Rule Book, NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

General Training Day Schedule:

• All Competitors must be Current USASA Members
• All Competitors MUST Check in at the Event Registration Office prior to training
• Check in / Bib Pickup 8:30 am thru 9:15 am in the Event Registration Office , Lower Level Copper One. Don’t be late!
• Mandatory riders briefing at the top of the course 10:00 am
• Course Inspection 10:00 am thru 10:45 am at venue
• Training 11:00 am thru 2:00 pm at venue

US Snowboarding

March 1st, 2012 ◊ Zoë Anderson

Wether you are a Pro or amateur, on two planks or one, race or do freestyle, you will probably find yourself at Copper at least one point during the season.  There are no less than four major snowboarding and skiing events occurring there nearly every year.

This year, USASA Nationals are at Copper Mountain Colorado yet again. After over four years hosting the largest snowboarding event in the world, Copper Mountain has it down.

Why is Copper so rad? It is one of few mountains in North America that has a Boardercross course all throughout the season. In fact, if you get to Copper a few weeks before USASA Nationals begin, you can train on the course for cheap. To find out more about that, read here.

SBX Mag poured through every lodging option in Summit County to find you the best the Summit has to offer. Carbonate Real Estate. So we called them up to see what they could do for the athletes this year. They have a million options for your crew, whether you’re flying solo or bringing the whole posse, and it checks out to about $50 a person per night. Did we mention you don’t even need a car? Mention SBX Magazine when you give them a call at 800-526-7737 or email carbonate@cmcmdi.com to get serious discounts on some of the nicest lodging at Copper. For more information, check the website here. Plus – take a cushy ride on the Colorado Mountain Express for about $65 and you can be at Copper Village in less than 90 minutes.

You’re welcome.

USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain

USASA Nationals - Copper Mountain Kitchen

February 12^th, 2012 ◊ San Diego, CA

AMA SX San Diego

Zoë Anderson – SBX Mag was stoked to catch the sixth stop on the tour of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross at San Diego, with the crew at Jeff Ward Racing. Jeff Ward, hugely respected in the motor sports world, has partnered up with Lucas Mirtl (owner of LM Action Sports Management), Mike Kranyak (from L&M Racing), Kevin Conway (Nascar Racer and Principal at Exclaim Marketing) as well as DNA Energy Drink and Kawasaki, to promote riders Kyle Chisholm and Josh Grant.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross San Diego

After suffering from a shoulder injury sustained during the Main at Dodger Stadium, Josh Grant has been out for the last few weeks, resting up with the intention to get back in the game in the next few events.

Not one to leave a bike in the pit, JWR signed Cody Mackie on for a few stops on the tour, with encouragement coming from Lucas Mirtl to give this young Aussie a chance. Mackie, who had been over here as a privateer from Australia, was racing on his own dime and sleeping on couches to make it to each event. For those of you who know how tough that is to do in Boardercross; imagine that, times ten. Getting team support means paid travel, top-notch mechanics, world-class coaching and increased media attention. On his first night as a temp rider with JWR, Mackie made his debut appearance in the Main and only looks to be improving upon those results after a respectable 12^th place finish in San Diego.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross San Diego

Kyle Chisholm had been keeping it steady in 12th place at four of the last five events. No doubt, Chizzy was ready to step it up and show his brass with a top ten finish which he achieved with a solid 8^th in San Diego.  With a cover story this March in Transworld MX magazine, and improving results, life is looking large for this 24 year-old from Clearwater Florida.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross San Diego

For those of you unfamiliar with the motor sports world, Jeff Ward, also a good friend of Shaun Palmer, is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship, retiring with seven national titles and 56 national race wins. In addition, Ward made a solid name for himself in both Off-Road and Indy Car, being named 1997 Rookie of the Year with four top-five finishes in only seven starts. Wardy shared a little with us about the kind of training required to be successful in motocross; routinely riding upwards of 100 miles on his road bike, running up to 30 miles a week and spending days in the gym doing Olympic Lifts. No doubt that training has paid serious dividends over the long-haul, with a win at the 2008 X-Games Supermoto at the ripe young age of 47.

In addition, JWR partner Lucas Mirtl has managed to create one of the most successful action sports management firms today – well before the age of 28. Hailing from Kalgoorlie Australia, Lucas got his start racing MX, later becoming a mechanic on the Crusty Tour, working for some of the best riders in the world.

Make sure to keep an eye out for this team as Chisholm looks to gain entry into the top ten in points leaders, while Grant makes a full recovery and Mackie continues to improve upon some already solid results.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Ward-Racing

Lindsey Jacobellis Psyched on her 24 Career World Cup Victory

HOLLAND, JACOBELLIS SWEEP WINS
VEYSONNAZ, Switzerland (Jan. 22) – It was a sweep for U.S. Snowboarding Sunday with Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) and teammate Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, CA) winning at the Veysonnaz World Cup. Jacobellis continued on a roll with her third straight win of the season to remain undefeated starting with her victory in the USANA Snowboardcross Cup at Telluride last month. The tour now swings back to the USA for next weekend’s X Games in Aspen.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nate Holland now leads the pack in the World Cup Snowboardcross rankings, his first win since last season’s  event in Lech.
• Holland took the win in a photo finish – a mere half board length ahead of Swiss Markus Schairer.
• Callan Chythlook-Sofsof (Anchorage) was sixth while Jonathan Cheever (Saugus, MA) flew into an eighth  place finish
• A great milestone for Lindsey Jacobellis with her 25th  World Cup SBX win of her career (she also has one halfpipe win)!
• The tour now heads to the X Games in Aspen before swinging through Blue Mountain, ON in Feb. plus the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix at Canyons Resort I Park City, UT.

Nate Holland

It’s awesome. I knew I was riding well on this course. I love this course like I said I love the speed. It’s good to hit the podium twice. It’s good to be back in race form.

Both (Schad and Perathoner) went down right in front of me in the turn section everybody was talking about the last couple of days.

There was a sucker line. People were complaining about it. I didn’t take that line all week long. You could dive in and get bumped around or you could stay high and ride it smooth. Now we are done I can tell everyone that.

Lindsey Jacobellis
Today was a fight. I didn’t have a great start, so I was trying to plan my way down the course and see what opportunities would open up for me.

I was kind of following Dominique (Maltais) down just waiting if I could make a pass somewhere. I saw a little opportunity and just went for it.

Jonathan Cheever’s road to the top of the Snowboardcross heap reads like a Hollywood script. Think Rad or Over The Top, minus the mullets and the bad 80s music.What has helped Cheever become one of the best snowboarders in the world? Without a doubt, Cheever’s gritty, unflinching bust-your-ass attitude has been a major factor in this dude’s success. I don’t know how he still finds the time for interviews, but luckily he made time for us. - Author: Michael Villa

Cheever Comes out Ahead at the 2011 Canyons Resort Grand Prix, Photo by US Snowboarding

Where do you see Snowboard Cross headed in the next five to ten years? 

http://www.youtube.com/user/TeamCheever

Photo by US Snowboarding

Sponsors

Bradford White Water Heaters

Triple 8 Helmets

Toko Wax

Level Field Foundation

US Snowboarding

Canyons Resort

Kessler Snowboards Drift Cameras

Her Name is Callan Chythlook-Sifsof

Just try to pronounce it right. One of the coolest chicks on the circuit, I met Callan in Idaho. I went into the tent to have some lasagna and there was Callan, just chillin with a busted up knee or shoulder – or something like that. Ever since then, despite suffering injuries that would put most athletes out for the long haul, she has been a rapidly rising star. She’s also a native Alaskan, which just makes her cooler all around. – Author: Zoë Anderson

 

Callan C.S.

When did you first start snowboarding?

I would love to do something in the industry… and always have snowboarding in my daily life! I work a lot with indigenous organizations promoting sports so something in that area would be rad.

Triple Eight

Triple 8 = Triple Gr8t

Triple8 began in 1995, growing it’s roots from the gritty skating culture of the Concrete Jungle, aka New York City. Today, Triple8 has evolved into a full-fledged protective gear company for skate, snow, and pretty much any high impact sport out there. It’s nice to know that the guys who want to protect your dome piece are used to hitting the concrete.

But, when it comes to snowboarding, they offer some of the best protection out there. Did we also mention that Triple 8 supports the sport of Snowboard Cross by sponsoring our very good friend, US Team Rider, Jonathan Cheever?

Triple8 Business Manager, Justin Rimbert tells us why you’ll choose Triple 8 over the next guy.

Open Me

HOW DO Triple8 PADS DIFFER FROM OTHER BRANDS ON THE MARKET?

It’s all in the details.  From the durability of the materials to the attention to style & function, we’re obsessed with making a product that delivers in terms of top of the line protection as well as uncompromised comfort.

WHAT IS THE BEST FEATURE OF THE BUM SAVER II?

The Bum Saver II

Our Bumsaver II’s are constructed utilizing a number of unique and specialized light weight EVA foam pads which work in unison to create supreme protection in the hip & tailbone area without compromising mobility.

WHY WOULD A SNOWBOARDCROSS RACER WANT THE BUMSAVER? 

Every boardercross racer knows that your legs are your most important asset.  So to keep them protected against unnecessary bumps and bruises during the season (or even a short race),  the bumsaver becomes essential in helping to keep your legs in the best shape possible and limit the amount of damage your legs tend to take during your average competition.

ANYTHING ELSE Triple8 WOULD RECOMMEND TO SBX RACERS?

The Under Cover Knee Pads

Check out the Triple 8 Undercover Snow Knee Pads which are slim enough to fit under your first layer yet provide solid protection and mobility.

So next time you’re speeding down mountain slashing a line or lining up a hit through the park, get yourself decked out at www.triple8.com

For more information on how to protect ya neck:  CLICK HERE

In Search of Authenticity

“We’ll never discover our full potential unless we push ourselves to find it.” Words of wisdom from the wise man himself, Travis Rice. For certain, his quote explains the level of artistry, cinematography and sheer ridiculous awesomeness of this latest and greatest Red Bull film. The Art of Flight has officially dropped & if you haven’t seen it yet, you are officially living in a hole. As the logical follow up to the 2008 Brain Farm release of “That’s it, That’s All” – an instant hit and cult classic throughout the snowboarding world – The Art of Flight had a mighty reputation to uphold. It’s not all just ski-porn either. Complete with time lapses, pond-snowboarding, slow-mo, axe throwing, random tree chopping and giant bon-fires, there’s enough fun to go around, and around, and around …

Travis Rice by Mark Gallup

Curt Morgan, President of the Boutique film studio Brain Farm, is quite possibly the world’s greatest action sports cinematographer ever (sorry, Warren). And – With the help of Red Bull and Quicksilver pouring cash money into this production, riders were able to take it to a whole new level, shredding some of the most ridiculous lines on the planet. Like, silly ridiculous. The legendary Jeremy Jones, Travis Rice, Scotty Lago and Snowboarder Magazine’s 2010 Rider of the Year John Jackson, among others, drop in and go massive in some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. Patagonia, British Columbia, Jackson Hole & Alaska were just a few stops on this magical tour of epic proportions.

Photo of Travis Rice by Cole Barash

Estimates for producing this film put it in the range of 2 million dollars, making it the most expensive snowboarding movie ever produced. With Producers like Circe Wallace on board, that comes as no surprise. The talent isn’t lacking either. Clearly.

“The Art of Flight is like a National Geographic snowboarding safari – nothing short of mind-blowing!” says Randy Torcom, Burton Brand Manager. This film is a must have for every snowboarder’s collection that will surely keep your winter stoke going year round! It’s touch to imagine a better snowboard movie than this. And if you haven’t seen it yet, we hope it’s because you’re just way too busy doing rad things.

John Jackson in Santa Monica, Photo by Nicholas Schrunk

Read more about this amazing tribute to the lifestyle we strive for at  www.artofflightmovie.com