by The Editors on January 30, 2014
MTNApproach that company that makes packable skis for getting into the backcountry without a split board has teamed up with Travis Rice and Mike Parillo’s Asymbol on some art graphics by Adam Haynes.
This new release from MTNApproach features graphics by Asymbol contributor Adam Haynes. The system showcases his painting Silverton—which embodies the vivid and genius imagery Adam is known for. This piece is also specifically relevant because it illustrates the hometown of Cory Smith (MTNApproach founder). In addition to the Asymbol graphics, this model has been drastically improved in both construction and materials, reducing the total weight to 3.2 pounds underfoot.
For the official word from MTNApproach, follow the jump
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 28, 2014
Johnnie Balfour, the former Olympic boardercross course builder who kicked down one of the few honest overviews of the situation in Sochi last week, pulled all his original posts down and has apparently decided to leave Russia on his “own accord,” according to new post titled Squashing Some Rumors. Here’s a slice of it:
EVERYTHING I WRITE IS MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IT DOES NOT REFLECT OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE I HAVE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST, PRESENT OR THE FUTURE. THIS IS JUST ME, THAT’S ALL, NOBODY ELSE. . . 1. I am safe and fine. Yes, I am heading home, no, I was not forced to leave. I left by my own accord. . . 2. Me leaving Sochi will have zero effect on the Olympic Games. I am simply just one of a group of guys who do what I do. The head builder is still there as well as the other shapers. There is plenty of snow on the mountain and the course will be ready and will be amazing. There is a group of very talented people working there and it will be fine. . . 3. I removed the post myself.
Balfour says he was “completely overwhelmed by the response” his post got. Having worked with the IOC in the past we were not surprised to see this coming, but we’re happy Balfour made it out and that “there is plenty of snow on the mountain and the course. . . will be amazing.”
Balfour is promising more on his trip to Sochi in the near future, so we’ll keep you posted. We do think the photo (above right) that he recently posted to his blog says much more about the trip than words will ever say!
[Link: Johnnie Balfour]
by The Editors on January 28, 2014
After 34 people were killed last month near Sochi, Australian Olympian Scotty James (shown right in a classic no-grab air-shot wire photo) has reportedly told his parents to stay home while he’s in Sochi, according to a radio interview with his father Phil on 3AW.
“Scott didn’t really understand … what was happening in Russia and we explained it’s been going on for a long time and potentially there could be some problems,” he said. . . “He went and slept on it, and the next day he came to us and said … ‘I’d be happier if you don’t go because I know you’ll all be safe in Australia’. . . “(He said) ’it’ll also give me the opportunity to focus on my event and not have to worry about where you’re going to be’.
With more attacks reportedly promised, we’re hoping the athletes are on lockdown.
[Link: 3AW]
by The Editors on January 27, 2014
Danny Davis did a wicked job of holding it down in the finals of the Winter X Pipe last night (Sunday, January 25, 2014) and slipped away with a well deserved gold medal. His first. Yes, Iouri Podladtchikov continually got underscored for not landing the YOLO flip, and it would have been more fun to see Shaun White in the mix, but aside from that it was a good show.
For a complete, compact, and easy to view compilation of snowboarding results from the X Games, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 23, 2014
As if split boards weren’t in enough pieces already, Salomon Snowboards announced today (January 23, 2014) the newest addition to their split board offerings–the 4-piece The Premiere.
Designed with Josh Dirksen, The Premiere’s revolutionary technology achieves close to ski touring efficiency while maintaining torsional stiffness and reducing the vertical movement experienced with a two-part split. An internal straight edge, external edge under foot, and a shorter and wider shape allow for stiffer skis, easier kick-turns, and more control while maneuvering steep terrain. . . “Salomon came up with the idea to do something different, and that has always been the Salomon mentality- to challenge the status quo with new technology that makes snowboarding easier and more fun,” Dirksen says. “The Premiere does that with its lightweight and unique design, it’s very exciting!”
With lift prices the way they’re headed the “backcountry” is looking more and more inviting every day. . . especially if it ever snows on the West Coast. The Premiere comes with “custom pucks, the Voilé universal kit (hooks, clips, touring bracket, heel risers and sliders), custom fit skins and crampons” all for $1,299.00. For the official word from Salomon and more photos of The Premiere and accessories, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 23, 2014
Louie Vito may not have made the 2013 US Olympic halfpipe team, but you think he’s going to crawl into his cave and cry about it? Not for a minute. Mr. Vito is out there making things happen with a freshly inked three-year co-hosting deal with both the summer and winter X Games.
“I have always been a huge supporter of X Games since I was a kid, so I was stoked at the opportunity to join the ESPN/X Games family,” said Louie Vito. “Being a competitor in the event, I look forward to bringing insight to the fans watching worldwide.” . . Performing in-air and on-air for the duration of X Games 18, Vito will commentate on multiple disciplines in addition to competing in Men’s Superpipe today (Thursday, January 23, 2014). A must-have during competition, Louie Vito will don his signature SPY Marshall snow goggles during the Men’s Superpipe event.
Not sure this is going to make us actually watch the X Games this time around, but at least there will be someone solid on the mic when we do. For the official word on Mr. Vito and to check out his Spy signature goggles, follow the jumpus, rumpus. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 22, 2014
Johnnie Balfour (right) is a snowboard cross course builder from Australia by way of Canada. He helps build FIS World Cup snowboard cross courses and is now in Sochi, Russia to help build the courses for the 2014 Winter Olympics (which begin in two weeks).
In all the discussions regarding how ready Russia is for the Winter Games all we seem to hear about is terrorists and suicide bombing “Chechen widows” and how the Russian military has everything under control. What we haven’t read is much on the ground reporting from the snowboard venues. Luckily, for us Johnnie Balfour has a tumblr. And on it he is kicking down the straight scoop from Sochi. According to Balfour, things aren’t going so well.
Here’s a slice:
Nothing is finished here and there is piles of garbage everywhere. Muddy water is pouring off the mountain and flowing through the streets and the cobblestone pavers are all lifting up or disappearing into sink holes. This entire place was built in the last few years, it looks nice at first glance but look a little closer and you can see that it was just thrown together. Most of the buildings are not finished and with only two weeks to go before the games start, they never will be finished. It is pouring rain and close to 10 degrees above zero [50 Fahrenheit]. The little snow they have is rapidly disappearing.
Click the link for the rest of his first, and hopefully not last report from Sochi. We’re pretty certain it’s going to get either more entertaining or banned completely from the Internet.
[Link: Johnnie Balfour]
by The Editors on January 21, 2014
While Scotty Lago was battling away in the Mammoth Mountain superpipe for a spot on the 2014 US Olympic snowboard team, his “long-time girlfriend” Bridget Brunet (real name, apparently) was busy participating in the Miss New Hampshire USA pageant in Manchester, New Hampshire.
NewHampshire.com couldn’t have been much blunter with their coverage:
While Brunet was winning the Miss New Hampshire USA crown, her longtime boyfriend, snowboarder Scotty Lago, fell short of the scores needed to put him on the four-man halfpipe Olympic Snowboarding Team nominated by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the Sprint U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix in Mammoth Falls, Calif.
Well, at least they have something to celebrate!
[Link: NewHampshire.com]
by The Editors on January 21, 2014
by The Editors on January 21, 2014
Ken Block has Hoonagan’d out a new Ford F-150 Raptor for winter driving. We’re not too into those big green letters on the sides, but if someone could cover those up, we’d be down to take a test drive. . . sure we would.
[Link: Snowboard Mag]
