Snowboarding results from the weekend
Canada Snowboard – Canadian Snowboarders Sweep LAAX Open podium
Total domination in Switzerland, a busy weekend for Canadian riders around the World
After bailing on his first two final runs, Mark McMorris (Regina, SK) stomped his final run to capture the 2016 LAAX Open title. In what is one of the biggest competitions of the season, Canadians crushed the final by taking all top five spots. Tyler Nicholson (North Bay, ON) and Sebastien Toutant (Seb Toots) (L’Assomption, QC) landed in 2nd and 3rd while Darcy Sharpe (Comox, BC) and Mikey Ciccarelli (Ancaster, ON) took 4th and 5th respectively, with Maxence Parrot (Bromont, QC) rounding out the top ten domination in 7th spot. This is the second major title for McMorris this season after he won the Dew Tour back in December.
“I had some good early shredding in Saas-Fee this year and I think that made a difference, especially for my jumping tricks. I feel good on my board and am loving competing again!” said Seb Toots after posting a score of 83.10 on his first finals run, good enough for third and the $16,000 USD cash prize.
Tyler Nicholson, who beat out Toots by just over a point with a score of 84.35 talked about the atmosphere amongst his fellow canucks: “It’s obviously a good vibe, everyone’s so stoked for one another. We’re there to ride our best and it’s up the the judges to place us in whatever position they feel is right.”
Max Parrot also made history by stomping three consecutive triple-cork tricks (triples) in one run, a first in competitive snowboarding: “Yeah I’m really happy I’ve been able to land 3 triples in a row, I’ve been thinking about that for a while! I definitely have some more tricks I’d like to land in contest. Hopefully the opportunity comes soon!” Spencer O’Brien (Courtenay, BC) was the only Canadian female in the final and finished in fifth.
This is the best ever result for the Canadian Slopestyle team and team coach Elliot Catton couldn’t have been happier: “The Canadian Slopestyle Program has had a successful recipe for a long time. The guys and girls on this team are all extremely talented snowboarders and they earned their results. It was incredible to see all the guys riding at their best at the same time.”
The team now heads into next weekend’s X-Games in Aspen, Colorado with a major confidence boost and a whole bunch of swagger.