British Snow Tour News

This season saw the British Snow Tour being updated to be able to include all UK freeski and snowboard events in a similar concept to the World Snowboard and Association of Freeskiing Professionals tours. Events are awarded a star ranking based on the environment and number of competitors, with the best 4 results from the season being averaged to give riders their national ranking.

This season has started to see more coming on board with the system and with the new wave of events happening around the country there is plenty scope for more to get involved. To help support the local events then there is no charge for event organisers for up to two 1 Star events a year.

Every event is free to choose their own age categories, but for consistency through the system then the categories of U10, U12, U14, U16, U18 and Open have been adopted. A rider's age on the 31st December of the competition calendar year is used to determine their category for the season. The calendar year runs from the 1st May until the 30th April to include all the artificial slope events in preparation for the upcoming snow season.

The rankings is administered by Snowsport Scotland on behalf of the British freestyle community and all interested event organisers should contact Neil at Snowsport Scotland for more information and to register events for the 2013/14 season.

The full rankings can be found on the Snowsport Scotland website.

British Men's Snowboard Rankings (PDF)
British Women's Snowboard Rankings (PDF)

The BRITS 2013 showed Tignes a week to remember with record-breaking crowds, a sprinkling of celebrity freestylers, more parties than you can shake a stick at and of course a huge helping of irreverent après ski. As a weeklong party on snow with a discounted price tag, it’s no surprise The BRITS is fast becoming the winter festival of choice for a thousand happy campers… Roll on 2014.

Moving from the small hillside town of Laax in Switzerland, the Brits packed its bags and swapped the schnitzel for fondue to set up home in one of Europe’s most popular resorts; Tignes, France. With a huge selection of bars and clubs and an extensive ski area, Tignes proved to be the perfect move to offer BRITS wristband holders the best a winter holiday has to offer.

By day, festival goers hit the 350-kms of the Espace Killy while the British Championships showcased some of the UK's world class talent. Team GB riders Ben Kilner, Aimee Fuller, Billy Morgan, Katie Ormerod and Murray Buchan, were joined by 100 UK hopefuls for five days of competition across the three Olympic disciplines of Protest Slopestyle, Dare 2b Halfpipe & Trespass Cross, as well as the brand new rail event, Bangers & Cash.

Easing revellers in to the night Skullcandy were on hand to provide the beats for the most cherished of beverages, the apres beer. With daily DJ sets from the BRITS residents, a Reggae BBQ, The Whitelines Rail Jam and the BRITS Air Time Team Challenge, festival goers barely had time to re-fuel and brace themselves for the night’s shenanigans.

With a demo village packed with some of the top hardware brands wristband holders had all the latest kit at their disposal for the ultimate in “try before you buy”, while UK ski and snowboard wax company Butta were on-hand offering free waxing to keep skis and snowboards in top notch condition throughout the week.



Proving they are anything but lazy, seven piece live hip hop band Lazy Habits kicked the week off in style, storming the first of what was quickly to become a week of hedonistic parties. Hailed as the “the most entertaining hip hop band in the country” Lazy Habits captivating on-stage energy kept the four hundred strong crowd buzzing well in to the early hours.


Lazy Habits

For all the exhibitionists out there the infamous BRITS fancy dress party rolled back the years for a night of memory jerking dance floor anthems with a show stopping spectacle from live six piece band Club Classics. With a 100% live line-up that could fool even the most educated of ears the Protest ‘Back to the 90s’ party saw everything from the Spice Girls (all men!), to some remarkably convincing 90s throw-backs running to the dance floor for a rendition of ‘You Got the Love’ that was good enough to fool you in to thinking perms were back in and Vanilla Ice was a break-through act!


Club Classics

With remnants of fluoro paint still evident on faces it was time to shake off the fatigue and head up to a giddy 3400 meters via an underground train to a stunning mountain top location to witness the party DJs The Nextmen weave their way across four turntables and two time MOTY (mix of the year) winner DJ Irk churn out tune after banging tune, whipping over 600 festival goers in to a sweaty mosh pit frenzy. Surrounded by towering mountain peaks the turntable dream team bought their unique blend of dancehall, drum’n’bass, dubstep, hip hop and soul to one to the most unique venues in BRITS history for a night that had the rapturous crowd begging for ‘one more tune’!


The Nextmen

To secure your place at next year’s number one winter festival keep your eyes on the official BRITS website for more information and ticket sales. Check out all the latest webcasts and images via our website or the official BRITS Facebook page...
www.the-brits.com
www.facebook.com/britsfestival

Check out all the videos at www.the-brits.com/latest/video

See you in 2014!

The BRITS would not have been possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

The British Dare 2b Snowboard Halfpipe final drew the curtain on the first ever BRITS Championships in Tignes. GB Olympic hope Ben Kilner (24, Aberdeen) and budding talent Katie Ormerod (15, Brighouse) took home gold medals despite facing a stiff field of competition.

Tignes’ monstrous 22-foot superpipe played home to the X Games and the finest pipe riders in the world last week but today it was time for the best of British. Even though weather conditions made things harder than usual for competitors, with snow clogging up the transitions of the pipe, a solid level of snowboarding was on show. The contest threw up an array of awe-inspiring tricks including, McTwists, Haakon Flips and a bunch of 5s and 7s.


Ben Kilner

Ben Kilner showed just why he is on course for next year’s Olympics in Sochi with huge amplitude out of the pipe, killing both qualification and the finals. His winning run was simply bolts, going huge off the first hit and continuing with a legit frontside 7, followed by an effortless Haakon flip, a nice backside 9 and finishing his run with a backside 5. Chasing hot on his heels was Dan Wakeham (31, Plymouth) with a very impressive qualification run and claiming silver with a huge method straight off the bat, followed up by a Crippler and a McTwist. Last year’s champ Henry Shackleton (18, Thatcham) picked up bronze this year with front and backside 5s, a front 7 and finishing off with a steezy seatbelt grab.

Ben’s been in hard training for next year’s Olympics, and was over the moon with his win today: “I’m feeling good and it’s good to be back. I’ve missed the last two BRITS as I separated my shoulder so I’m glad to come back, win it and get the title again. I’ve just come from a world cup in Spain so it was a bit hit and miss as to whether I would be able to make the BRITS but I’m here and it’s great to ride with these guys.”

Once again, the girls upped their game this year and the amplitude being shown out of the pipe by some was a sight for sore eyes. Katie Ormerod won with a styley frontside 5 and generally rode bigger and smoother than the rest of the competition. Kate Foster (27, Haywards Heath) is no stranger to the pipe and just missed out on gold. Unfortunately for Foster she had a much better qualification round than in the final, as both her and Ormerod had similar runs with Ormerod keeping it together in the final. Taking bronze was Nathalie Silkstone (16, Belper) showing a neat technical run displaying all grabs; indie, method, stale, nose and tail with a frontside 5 thrown in for good measure.


Katie Ormerod

Katie’s who is one of the most improved snowboarders on the British circuit was stoked out on her win: “I’m really, really happy that I won today. I was nervous at first because I haven’t ridden a full size pipe since the last BRITS but I was really excited for it as well. I’m really surprised I beat Kate Foster as she’s such a great pipe rider. I’m just so happy.”

Tignes has been a fantastic host to the BRITS, and despite snowy weather conditions for a large part of the week, a star-studded field impressed crowds and showed what a force Britain is becoming in freestyle snowboarding. Best of luck to all riders bidding to qualify for the Olympics, and we’ll see you in Tignes next year.

British Dare 2b Snowboard Halfpipe Championships Results

Men
1st – Ben Kilner
2nd – Dan Wakeham
3rd – Henry Shackleton


Women
1st – Katie Ormerod
2nd – Kate Foster
3rd – Nathalie Silkstone

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2013 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

The Protest British Snowboard Slopestyle Championships went ahead despite the snowstorm that battered the Tignes snow park today. Sam Turnbull (22, Yorkshire) and Katie Blundell (28, Devon) both took home gold in a contest throwing up both super stylish and technical tricks which let the blizzard-hit crowd forget just how wet they were.

The original format of the slopestyle course was made up of four kickers and a rail section, but due to the horrendous visibility and snow conditions event organisers made the decision to move the contest to the bottom kicker with two rail sections below.

With snowboard slopestyle making its Olympic debut next year, all eyes were on today’s event as spectators looked on at the talent that will be on show in Sochi. GB athletes riding the competition included Tomski Robinson (12, Manchester), Sam Turnbull and Jamie Trinder (18, Perth).


Sam Turnbull

Turnbull rode to victory with an emphatic run, stomping a ridiculous backside 9, switching up on the first rail and riding 50-50 to front 3 out of the second rail. New kid on the block George Scott (17, Tonbridge), a fella spending the season in Mayrhofen picked up silver with a stylish backside 7 and the steeziest back nose of the day, landing halfway down the second down rail. In third place was Monday’s Bangers & Cash event winner, Andy “The Captain” Nudds (25, Halifax) showing off an effortless frontside 7 and in a previous run slammed down an incredible front lip Danish.

Sam Turnbull entered the comp last minute, but was definitely stoked on his decision. “I didn’t really expect to take the win. I turned up pretty late last night from Sierra Nevada where I was competing at the World Cup, entered the slopestyle and won it! I think going big got me the win. I overshot one of the jumps but stomped it and I think that might have won it for me.”

Silver medallist from Tuesday’s Bangers & Cash Rail Jam, Katie Blundell showed just how her jet-setting across the Atlantic has paid off, picking up first place. Katie rode the course faster than any other girl, stomped a back 3 and owned a back nose on the final down rail. Natalie Silkstone (16, Derby) impressed all day and came second with a backside 3, while Tignes local Kate Wood (29, Derby) jumped on the podium with the only girl’s frontside 360 of the day.


Katie Blundell

Katie Blundell, coined the ‘nicest person in British snowboarding’ by MC Scott Penman, had this to say on her victory. “I’m really, really happy. I’m not sure what clinched it for me, but with the weather being so tricky it was just a matter of staying on my feet and landing things. The course was good though considering, with a really good rail section.”

The riding was incredible, with plenty of other notable mentions. Ben King (36, Lincoln), riding in the Masters section stomped the biggest backside 1 of the day over the kicker, which had both MC’s and the judges clapping their hands to his sheer awesomeness. Young Will Gilmore (10, Northampton) once again represented and showed a lot of promise for a kid half the age of most riders. Rich Jonas (30, Tignes) also returned from his hiatus and showed he’s still got some skills in his old kit bag throwing down 5’s on the kickers and typically rad rail skills.

British Protest Snowboard Slopestyle Championships Results

Men
1st – Sam Turnbull
2nd – George Scott
3rd – Andy Nudds



Women
1st – Katie Blundell
2nd – Natalie Silkstone
3rd – Kate Wood

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2013 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

The BRITS Bangers & Cash Rail Jam made its debut today in a snowy, windy Tignes. Event organisers created the jam in order to celebrate the high standard of rail shredding talent coming out of the UK at the moment. Heavy hitter Andy Nudds (25, Halifax) picked up a cool £1,000 and an impressive Becky Menday (14, Hemel Hemstead) took home the women’s prize.

This new event was designed to inspire creativity and innovation in a loose ‘jam’ style, and it exceeded all expectations. The UK’s finest rail riders brought their ‘A’ game and made full use of the course. Qualifications took place in the higher rail section of the Tignes snow park with the final taking place on the lower section. Every rider that qualified for the final received £50, but the prize everyone was gunning for was the cold, hard £1,000 cash.


Andy Nudds

Andy Nudds flew in from Finland especially for this event and simply bossed it, landing a switch backside 270 gapping onto the wall ride and blowing minds with his transfer from wall-ride to down rail – which, to most looked impossible. Coming in second was the steezy Lewis Sonvico (23, Morzine) who got the most creative with the setup, landing hardway backside 180’s and one of the scariest tricks in snowboarding; the caveman (boardsliding towards the rail before jumping on) to a variation of boardslides. Jamie ‘upside down’ Trinder (18, Perth) came third stomping a backside rodeo onto the wall-ride. A special mention goes out to little William Gilmore (10, Northampton) who, in the words of judge Colum Mytton was “riding like an adult” with perfect style and landing 270 onto rails.

Nuddsy was stoked on his win. Here’s what he had to say: “I really didn’t expect to win as it is hard to know how everyone else is doing. I thought I did as much as I could though and pulled out all the tricks I wanted to. I think I rode some different lines to the other guys and overall I am really happy with how it went.”

The girls showed up in force and it was Protest rider Becky Menday who took home the bragging rights, gapping onto the wall-ride and 270’ing onto the down rail. Katie Blundell (28, Devon) flew back from the States for this comp, and despite being mega jet-lagged, she busted out a signature tail grab to wall-ride and locked on a legitimate backside 180 onto the bottom down rail to claim second place. Sabrina Burnham (24, Truro) got third spot with some nice switch-ups and front 1’s onto rails.


Becky Menday

Here’s what Becky had to say on her win: “It is amazing, I’m so stoked. There were a lot of boxes but they were actually really good fun and I really enjoyed the course. I love being here in Tignes at the BRITS and can’t wait for the rest of the week.”

This event had everyone seriously stoking, and represented not only how the UK scene wants to ride, but also how good at riding rails us Brits have become thanks to the indoor snow domes and dry slopes across the country.

British Snowboard Championships Bangers & Cash 2013 Rail Jam Results

Men
1st – Andy Nudds
2nd – Lewis Sonvico
3rd – Jamie Trinder


Women
1st – Becky Menday
2nd – Katie Blundell
3rd – Sabrina Burnham
4th – Katie Wood

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2012 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

The 2013 British Snowboarding Championships kicked off in its new French home of Tignes with the Snowboardcross hosted for the 11th time by Trespass. Competitors had to be on their finest form with poor conditions presenting flat light and moderate snowfall, with Maisey Potter (16, Llandudno) and Snowboardcross legend James Foster (32, Redhill) claiming the overall titles for men and women.

The weather made for a difficult day and resulted in competitors having one qualification run instead of two. Still, the crowd turned out in force and there was strong support for all age categories. James Foster rode strongly all day and never looked in doubt of regaining his title with Ross Taylor (25, England) taking second and Kyle Wise (23, Edinburgh) claiming third. Last year’s male champion, Thomas Bankes (22, London) qualified with the fastest time of the day but failed to make the podium. Tomski Robinson (11, Manchester) raced aggressively all day but was pipped at the post in the kid’s men’s final by Kelean Venning (11) who took the title. There was also an impressive showing by nine year-old Koby Cook (9, South Yorkshire) who placed third.


James Foster out in front

James Foster, winner of the Snowboardcross and coach of the GB Snowboardcross team had this to say of his win: “I’m stoked to get back on the podium after being out for a while, especially taking first place. Moving the BRITS from Laax to Tignes is a refreshing change especially coming straight off the back of the X Games.”

In the women’s section Maisey Potter from Wales qualified with the fastest time and proceeded to regain her title with Ro Kealey (21, London) coming in second and thirteen year-old Ayla Thidling (13) picking up the bronze. The Women’s Masters section was dominated by local Tignes seasonnaires Corinne Mayhew (30, Tignes) and Amy Butler (34, Tignes) who came in first and second respectively rousing a huge ovation from the local crowd.


Action from the girl's heats

Maisey’s becoming quite the regular on the BRITS podium, and here’s what this future star thought of her victory: “I’ve now won three years in a row which I am so happy about. It feels brilliant. I’m loving the new resort and being in Tignes, there’s just so much to see here. I thought the course was great today, it’s just a real shame about the weather.”

British Trespass Snowboardcross Championships Results

Men
1st – James Foster
2nd – Ross Taylor
3rd – Kyle Wise



Women
1st – Maisey Potter
2nd – Ro Kealey
3rd – Ayla Thidling



Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2013 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

The BRITS Snow & Music Festival, 23rd – 30th March, Tignes

In just one week's time Trespass will be kicking off a week of competition and sounding the starting pistol for what will be their 11th consecutive year hosting the eagerly awaited Trespass British Snowboardcross and Skiercross Championships.



Typically a furious, no-holds-barred dash to the finish line, Cross has arguably become one of the most highly spectated winter sports. With the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics fast approaching Team GB are looking strong and ready to defend their 2012 BRITS podium domination, but with an abundance of Brits residing in Tignes and the neighbouring resorts we have a feeling 2013 could see a lot of new faces in the gates. Tignes shapers will be bolstering the permanent cross course, guided by the expertise of Team GB Coach James Foster, with a multitude of burns, rollers, banked turns and jumps that will push competitors to their absolute limit in a bid to become the 2013 British Champion.

The Trespass Snowboardcross kicks off on Monday 25th March, followed by the Skiercross on Tuesday 26th March. Off the mountain get set for a night of rock n’ roll classics both old and new for the Trespass live music night with local band The Cheerleaders on Monday 25th March. The BRITS welcomes all ability levels and is served up across five age categories, Kids, Youth, Junior, Master and Open. Competition registration is now open, for more event information and to register check out: www.the-brits.com



If you’ve left things right until the last minute, fear not as week-packages are still available and start from an amazing £279 (seven nights' accommodation, six day liftpass, festival wristband) or you can purchase liftpasses only with an exclusive 10% discount. For more information and to book check out www.the-brits.com

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, www.Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

The BRITS Snow & Music Festival, 23rd – 30th March, Tignes

Dan WakehamIn just over two weeks the all-weather clothing brand Dare 2b will be hosting the eagerly anticipated British Halfpipe Championships on the very same colossal Tignes superpipe used the for European X Games and delivering a night of rhymes and brass of the high calibre from live hip hop outfit Lazy Habits.

The 2013 winter season has seen some of the UK’s best pipe riders gunning for a place at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Fresh from an exciting Olympic qualifying year and with this being the final British Championships before the winter games the Dare2b Halfpipe Championships will see the crème of UK talent battle it out for the coveted national title. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the Dare 2b Halfpipe champs will be held on the very same Tignes superpipe (all 22 ft. of it) which will be slayed by Shaun White & co. at the X Games the week before.

Last year saw Dare 2b rider James Machon take home his fourth consecutive British crown, but with him out for the season the field has been left wide open for a new contender to step up and take the Freeski title, and with snowboarders continuously raising the bar 2013 is set to go off! The Dare 2b Freeski Halfpipe Championships kicks off on Thursday 28th March, closely followed by the Snowboard Championships on Friday 29th.

By night Dare 2b will be welcoming the explosive sound of live eight piece hip hop band Lazy Habits to the heart of the French Alps for a night of live music to go down in BRITS history. Critically acclaimed for their fast and funky sound led by live horns, vocals, bass and drums get set to drop it like it’s hot, this is gonna be a belter!

If you’ve left things right until the last minute, fear not as week-packages are still available and start from an amazing £279 (seven nights' accommodation, six day liftpass, festival wristband) or you can purchase liftpasses only with an exclusive 10% discount. For more information and to book check out www.the-brits.com


James Machon

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

In a matter of mere weeks the UK’s top boardwear brand, Protest, will hit The BRITS new home of Tignes to host the highly anticipated Protest British Slopestyle Championships and the infamous Back to the 90s Party while action camera brand iON will be on hand to kit out British gold medallists and offer all BRITS wristband holders the chance to film their own shred edit as they test one of the new Air Pro 2 cameras.


Jamie Nicholls at The Brits 2012

Now we might be biased here, but if like us you’ve been glued to the your screen and tracking the progress of Team GB in their Olympic qualifying season you would have noticed that we’ve got some truly realistic gold medal contenders for Sochi 2014. Here at BRITS HQ we’ve scheduled around the FIS calendar to give the UK’s heavy hitters the opportunity to show us why a Sochi 2014 medal is quickly becoming a reality. Tignes park shapers, driven by a compelling sense of pride (you’ve gotta love a bit of X Games rivalry!), have created a new and innovative course with six zones and with hopeful appearances from the likes of Billy Morgan, Jamie Nicholls, Katie Ormerod, Aimee Fuller, Katie Summerhayes and Tyler Harding, the scene is set for a major showdown of British talent.


Lucas Hagland at The Brits 2012

Off the mountain it’s time to dig out those dusty Adidas Originals, crop tops and insanely baggy pants as the Protest Back to the 90s Party, in association with Whitelines Magazine, brings you a night of pure 90s abandon on Wednesday 27th March. With live music from six piece band Club Classics and festival heavyweight Christian Stevenson AKA DJ BBQ the night's a guaranteed winner!

Unless you’ve been under a rock you will have noticed there’s a brand new action camera brand on the winter sports scene; iON cameras will be on hand to offer all BRITS wristband holders the opportunity to try out one of their brand new Air Pro 2 cameras. Launching in the UK this April this will be the first chance to try out one of these tidy little cameras. iON will also be presenting all British gold medallists with one of their brand new Air Pro cameras, add that to the already bulging prize purse and you have quite a booty!

Week-packages start from an amazing £279 and include seven nights’ accommodation, six day liftpass, festival wristband and an official BRITS Funi beanie, so don’t delay, get booking! For more information and to book check out www.the-brits.com

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

Join SCUK at The Brits!

www.snowboardclub.co.uk/events-bb13.html

It only seems right to introduce a brand new event for a brand new venue, and so 2013 will host an eagerly awaited (some may say overdue), dedicated rail event while headphone brand Skullcandy will be on hand to supply the ultimate in post-shred ambience at the Skullcandy Après Sessions and gift all British Champions with a pair of the latest Skullcandy headphones… music to the ears.



Now, it’s not news to say the UK has some of the best rail dawgs in Europe, but until now the British Championships has not catered for this marginalised yet uber-talented group. Keen to eradicate this injustice 2013 will see the launch of ‘Bangers & Cash’; a rail-focused jam event, equal to the Championship disciplines but with a complete departure from the structure and tension of competitive formats, and as you may have already guessed, cash given out for bangers.

Buoyed by some X-Games rivalry, the Tignes park shapers have taken it upon themselves to outdo their US counterparts in the design and creation of the Bangers & Cash arena. Run as an open jam, judges will focus on successive designated zones, qualifying riders through to the final and plying them with cash in the process. To ensure everyone gets their fill, there will be no elimination process, as all riders shred through the course up until the chosen few battle it out for the top spot.

And so, the stage is set for hopeful appearances from some of The BRITS best kept secrets such as Will Smith, Ross Needham, Tom Guilmard, Ollie Dutton, Matt Higson, Gazza Andrews, Si Foster, John Weatherly to name a few… it’s got ‘front cover’ written all over it.

As day becomes night, cutting edge headphone brand Skullcandy will take care of business at the Skullcandy Après Sessions as they serve up phonic delights to match the most satisfying of beverages, the post-shred beer. Courtesy of Sound by Skullcandy, The Après Sessions will kick off every day from 4.30pm-6.30pm at The Couloir bar in the centre of Val Claret. In addition to supplying the daily beats, Skullcandy will be presenting all Championship winners with a set of next-level headphones from their Supreme Sound Collection. We’ll have pairs of their recently released and celebrated Aviator, Navigator and Uprock headphones to crown both snowboarders and freeskiers.



Skullcandy will also be bringing the turntable prowess of two time MOTY (mix of the year) winner DJ Irk to The BRITS for a night of heavy hitting bass and precision scratch routines. Irk will be sharing the stage with the critically acclaimed Nextmen for a headline night that will go down in BRITS history …keep up if you can!

Week-packages start from an amazing £279 and include seven nights’ accommodation, six day liftpass, festival wristband and an official BRITS Funi beanie, so don’t delay, get booking! For more information and to book check out www.the-brits.com

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Associate Sponsors: Skullcandy, iON & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow, Snowboardclub.co.uk and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

Nobody to go with?

Come join SCUK at The Brits this year.



www.snowboardclub.co.uk/events-bb13.html

We’d be lying if we said après wasn’t one of our favourite times of a shred day; tired legs, buzzing moods and an ice cold beer (or hot wine if that’s your tipple), perfect. For 2013 and back by popular demand we’ll be staging the BRITS Sledgercross, kicking back at the Reggae BBQ, offering the largest array of next seasons demo kit we’ve ever assembled and introducing some cross-channel competitiveness in the Whitelines Rail Jam and the highly anticipated floodlit big air, Mon Dieu, 2013 is gonna go off!



So, it’s our first year back in France for over nine years and what better way to rekindle the relationship than a healthy bit of inter-country rivalry! The Whitelines Rail Jam will return for 2013 for a mega UK v FRA shred off. UK and French jibbers will ride in an open jam session before each countries’ ‘captain’ picks their team of riders to fight it out in a penalty shot-out-esque final.

If (god forbid!) the Frenchies take the rail jam we’ll have another chance to claw it back in the Airtime Team Challenge on Friday 29th. Held in the centre of Val Claret this floodlit invitational big air will call upon four skiers and four snowboarders from each country to battle it out in an almighty head to head dual - we’ve got [roast] beef with the frogs!



Last year’s BRITS saw the introduction of the Sledgercross, apparently the threat of broken limbs doesn’t deter people from hurling themselves down a slope on a child’s plastic sled! So pledge your sledge, the fastest down wins! Another firm favourite from 2012 and set to return is the Reggae BBQ. We'll be serving up chilled out tunes and the alpines take on rice n’pea, bangers and beers, to sooth those weary bodies (and heads). All you need to do is sit back, enjoy and put some music in your food.

In the market for some new kit? The BRITS Demo Village will house some of the biggest hardware brands, including Salomon, Dinosaurs Will Die, Bataleon, Ride, Jones, K2, Endeavour, Switchback, Head, Movement Skis, Liberty and many more. All BRITS wristband holders will be able to take next seasons kit up the hill for a day and test it out, try before you buy at its very best!

Week-packages start from an amazing £279 and include seven nights’ accommodation, six day Tignes liftpass, festival wristband and an official BRITS Funi beanie. For more information and to book go to; www.the-brits.com



The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Title Sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Sponsors: Skullcandy & Penny Skateboards. Media Partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

Nobody to go with?

Come join SCUK at The Brits this year.



www.snowboardclub.co.uk/events-bb13.html

If an unbelievably cheap package price isn’t enough to get you booking your BRITS place perhaps news that we have the party DJs The Nextmen, explosive eight piece band Lazy Habits and the no-holds-barred ASBO Disco already on the bill will do the trick. Add the Back to the 90s fancy dress night to the mix with a live performance from six piece band Club Classics and The BRITS 2013 is shaping up to be another year of unforgettable parties.

Even better SCUK have their own Brits Bash on the go.

For more than a decade The Nextmen have been bossing sweaty styled-out club sets and festival-stopping performances, and on Friday 29th March it’s the turn of The BRITS to be blown away as the Cambridge-come-Londoners weave their way across four turntables, dropping track after banging track of classic hands-in-the-air floor fillers. Trust us; these boys know how to throw a party!



Eight piece hip hop band Lazy Habits will be bringing their explosive show to the heart of the French Alps for the Dare 2b Live Night on Sunday 24th March. The fast and funky sound led by live horns, vocals, deep funk bass and slamming live drums has won hearts and blown minds at festivals including Glastonbury, Lovebox and Secret Garden Party and sold out headline shows at some of London’s best clubs. Pack your dancing shoes; this one’s set to go off!



If you’ve never witnessed an ASBO Disco then you need to see this. On Thursday 28th March ASBO will be taking the best bits from all the most rinsing styles of music and slamming them together into one massive mountain shaking set, brace yourselves for a party of mammoth proportions. Having played alongside the likes of Beardyman, Shy Fx and Rodney P we have no doubt the night will be a blur of bright lights, bling and massive tunes.



Quite rightly The BRITS Fancy Dress night has become legendary. Dig out your Adidas Originals, crop tops and insanely baggy pants for the Protest Back to the 90s Party on Wednesday 27th March. With live music from six piece band Club Classics and festival heavyweight Christian Stevenson AKA DJ BBQ you’re guaranteed a night of pure 90s abandon. Naturally, we’ll be rewarding the best dressed with a bottle of France’s finest (in the loosest possible sense) Champers, so don’t hold back people!

Here's just a few suggestions for you.......



Week-packages start from an amazing £279 and include seven nights’ accommodation, six day liftpass, festival wristband and an official BRITS Funi beanie, so don’t delay, get booking! For more information and to book check out www.the-brits.com.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

On Saturday 3rd November 2012 a crack team of UK snowboarders and skiers assembled in front of a packed house at the London Ski & Snowboard Show for the Battle at The BRITS Rail Jam; a showcase event for the forthcoming BRITS Snow & Music Festival in Tignes, France.

Hand-picked for their uncanny cat-like rail skills, Nathan Onions, Gareth Andrews, Cody Heirons, Billy Morgan and Danny McCormick represented for the snowboarders, with Murray Buchan, Monty Wright, Chris Wadsworth, Mike Rowlands, Josh Birch and James Webb stepping up for the skiers.



Following the obligatory rider intros and warm-up session the riders headed straight in to the brutal elimination round. A game of S-K-A-T-E style format where each were given three tricks of increasing difficulty, with the weakest link after each trick taking an early shower.


Billy MorganProgressing through the knock-out rounds and battling it out in front of a huge crowd were UK shredders Billy Morgan, Cody Hierons and Nathan Onions, but it was Billy Morgan, fresh from his recent victory at Freeze, who took the top spot with a super stylee backside 180 on to cab 360 off on the meter high street rail. For the skiers Scotsmen men Murray Buchan and Chris Wadsworth were joined by James Webb for the best trick final with Murray taking home the cash with a switch on to 450 out on the street rail.

As it’s probably fair to say that the mainstream audience didn’t necessarily appreciate the technical intricacies of the rail skills on display, eliminated rider Danny McCormick took to the stage to give the crowd exactly what they wanted, a front flip transfer on the box combo. That most famous of equations: rider + upside down = crowd go mental.

The Battle at The BRITS is part The BRITS Snow & Music Festival which is held from 23rd – 30th March in Tignes, France. Week-packages start from an amazing £279 and include seven nights’ accommodation, six day liftpass, festival wristband and an official BRITS Funi beanie. For more information and check out www.the-brits.com

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Dare2b and Trespass. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.


Danny McCormick - crowd pleasing

The BRITS will hit the London Ski & Snowboard Show on Saturday 3rd November to bring you ‘Battle at The BRITS’. We’re gathering twelve of the UK’s best skiers and snowboarders for a one-off game-of-skate style rail jam. Twelve riders (six snowboarders, six skiers) will session the slope for an open rail jam, each rider calling a different trick before the gloves come off for the no messing knock out rounds. After each round one rider will be eliminated with the winner being the last man standing. The jam will kick off at 2.30pm on Saturday 3rd November at The London Ski & Snowboard Show. Check out the Facebook for all the latest news.

And let’s not forget that whilst The BRITS gathers the crème of UK riders for the British Championships it’s as much about the 100s of people that come to the BRITS for the good times. So from 5.30pm on Saturday 3rd November we’ll be opening up the airbag to every man and his dog to step up and throw down the most creative shape, we want to see some superman front flips, daffies and a few triple-pump-stiffies here people! The winner will walk away with a bag full of clobber from our sponsors; Dare 2b, Protest and Trespass.

The Battle at The BRITS is part of The BRITS Snow & Music Festival, 23rd – 30th March 2013, Tignes, France. Combining six nights of live music with six days of epic riding, The BRITS is Europe’s number one winter festival for those that like to party as hard as they ride. Throw in the British Freeski and Snowboard Championships and you’ve got everything you could ever want from an action packed winter holiday! For further information and bookings go to www.the-brits.com



The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Dare 2b and Trespass. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

The BRITS are giving away two brand news set ups! A new Ride snowboard and bindings for the snowboarders or K2 skis for the skiers.

To enter head over to https://www.facebook.com/britsfestival/app_190322544333196

It’s time to perfect the ‘Franglais’ and book a spot at Europe’s number one winter festival.

After eight long years The BRITS is returning to France to make its debut appearance in Tignes on 23rd – 30th March 2013. The action packed week long winter festival promises the best in parties, piste (and fingers crossed powder!) and of course price - packages start from a bargain £279 for accommodation, liftpass and the all-important festival wristband.

SCUK will be there. We hope you can make it too.



The BRITS has teamed up with specialist tour operator Wasteland (ABTA bonded & ATOL protected) to ensure guests get the best possible prices on package options. A huge selection of accommodation is available, ranging from standard self-catering digs through to 4* luxury chalet-esque apartments. For those that prefer dinner on the table after a hard days riding BRITS partner, Dragon Lodge, offer a half board option.

Combining six nights of live music with six days of epic riding, The BRITS is Europe’s number one winter festival for those that like to party as hard as they ride. Throw in the British Freeski and Snowboard Championships and you’ve got everything you could ever want from an action packed winter holiday! For further information and bookings go to www.the-brits.com.



The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Dare 2b and Trespass. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, skiandsnowboard.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

Here are the edits for the weekend's British Indoor Ski and Snowboard Championships and the Wham Bam Thank You Jam.

Wham Bam Thank You Jam - BRITS 2012 Indoor Snowboard Champs a Snowboarding video by Brits

Wham Bam Thank You Jam - BRITS 2012 Indoor Freeski Champs a Ski video by Brits

The British Indoor Championships hit Snozone Castleford last weekend with a [and we don’t use this word lightly] radical new event format that saw riders competing for the title in a cut-throat jam session. Consequently, the riding surpassed all previous levels, and it was Andy Nudds and Becky Menday for snowboard and Andy Collin and Molly Summerhayes for Freeski that made the final cut to become the 2012 British Indoor Champions, taking the medals, the cash and a week’s chalet holiday in Morzine courtesy of PRG Ski.


Andy Nudds

A first in the history of the British Champs, the ‘Wham Bam Thank You Jam’ saw riders progressing through a course of four very distinct zones in an attempt to survive a ruthless elimination process that culminated in one mega shred-off. To sort the men from the boys (and women from the girls, naturally) the course was initially opened up for a mammoth open jam session in order to halve the field. After which, the remaining riders battled it out in succession at the ‘Trespass District’, ‘Dare 2b Downtown’, and ‘BRITS Backyard’ with the field being repeatedly cut until 4 riders remained to have it out in the ‘Protest Plaza’. For the kids and youth categories a more formatted approach was retained, giving them 2 single runs to place them in their respective age categories.

The innovative new event format even got head judge Andy Mills reaching for his board, commenting ‘over the years I’ve judged loads of comps but I have never been to one that has made me want to ride again as much as this one has.’


Becky Menday

British Indoor Snowboard Championships

During the first elimination round 60 riders were brutally reduced to 34 (12 women 22 men), but surviving each cut and storming in to the finals was Andy Nudds, Jamie Trinder, Matt McCormick and Sam McGrath for the boys, and Becky Menday, Vaila Chapman, Nathalie Silkstone and Cerys Allen for the girls. True to form, the jam session gave riders an opportunity to set a standard and continually raise it. Predictably, it went mental. Standout mentions go to Jamie Trinder for his Tony-Hawke-key-masher-esque half cab 50/50 frontflip to 50/50 back 180 out on the flat down box….insane. Trinder was just piped at the post by Nuddsy’s ridiculously solid 50/50 transfer to front 270 boardslide. Becky Menday, winning her first ever overall title showed massive progression with her styled out front 180 to switch 50/50 on the down rail.

Results

Men
1st – Andy Nudds
2nd – Jamie Trinder
3rd – Matt McCormick

Women
1st – Becky Menday
2nd – Vaila Chapman
3rd – Nathalie Silkstone


Becky said "I have been competing in the British Indoor Championships for 5 years now and always wanted to win the overall title; and now I have I am so excited it makes all the hard work and occasional pain worth while."

The youth men’s top spot was taken by one of Scotland’s finest, Matt McCormick, with a solid run that included a cab backside boardslide on the down rail and a 50/50 to frontflip off on the up down gap box. Second place was claimed by Billy Cockrell closely followed by Jack Taylor. In the kids category Tomski Robinson put in a solid run to bag himself the top podium spot with a run that included a smooth frontside 270 on to the down box and 50/50 to backside 180 out on the rocket box. Joining Tomski and taking home silver was Leo Fordham, closely followed by Jake Binnee.

The female category certainly didn’t disappoint, Becky Menday cleaned up with a solid run including a backlip on the down rail, front boardslide on the down rail and a 50/50 to front 180 out on the rocket box. Vaila Chapman and Amber Cordingley joined Becky on the podium to take home silver and bronze respectively. For the girls, Bradie Zimmer-Collins secured first place on the podium with an impressive run that included a 50/50 on the up down box and a switch 50/50 to cab 180 out on the rocket box. 12 year old Cerys Allen took home silver joined by on the podium by 10 year old newcomer Jade Walsh.

British Indoor Freeski Championships

The afternoon’s action kicked off with 53 skiers hitting the course eager to take home the gold. 34 riders survived the initial cut but taking home the top podium spot and the overall Indoor Champion title was Molly Summerhayes for the women and Andy Collin for the men. Molly rode super solid all day, pulling every trick out of the bag including a stomped blind side switch up on the gap box and 270 out on the up down rail. In a super tense final Andy Collin fought off stiff competition to bag himself gold with a gap 270 on the down flat down and a 360 nose tap on the lollipop. Chris Wadsworth kept the pressure on with a stylee 630 out on the up rail and a sick gap transfer on the up down rail to 270 out. A massive shout out also goes to Monty Wright for his epic 540 hand plant over the lollipop.

Results

Men
1st – Andy Collin
2nd – Chris Wadsworth
3rd – Monty Wright

Women
1st – Molly Summerhayes
2nd – Anna Vincenti
3rd – Madi Rowlands

In the men’s kids category, riding consistently and taking on the big hits was 11 year old Ethan Davis who took home gold with a winning run that included a 270 off the down rail. Coming in close second and just missing out on gold by three points was Haydn Fiori with a faultless run which included a switch-on to 270 out on the canon box and a 450 out on the up rail. Finishing off the kid’s category podium and taking a well-deserved bronze was James Rose. In the youth category 14 year-old Michael Rowlands took the gold with clean runs that included a switch-up to 270 out on the down flat down and a 450 off the canon box. Stepping on to the podium to take silver was 15 year old Liam Beardsmore closely followed by Harris Booth. In the kid’s women’s category 7 girls battled it out for the top podium spot but it was 10 year old Madi Rowlands who stepped up for the second consecutive year to take home gold. Madi had been riding smooth all day, stepping up from the boxes and hitting the rails as well as stomping a 270 out on the canon box. Joining Madi on the podium and taking home silver was 11 year old Thea Fenwick, closely followed by Ava Akram to take bronze.

For further information check out www.the-brits.com/indoor

There’s no denying that UK shredders love a good ol’ jam session and what better than a brand new format to quench that thirst. The British Indoor Championships will return on September 22nd with the new Wham Bam Thank You Jam. The innovative format will put shredders through their paces in a ride to the death elimination process. An open jam session of the whole course will cut the entire field in half. The remaining riders will session one zone at a time with the field being continually cut in half after each round, culminating in one mega shred off on the final zone. The format is simple; throw down or you’re out!

We still feel it’s important to give younger riders the chance to compete in a more formatted style, allowing them to be ranked in their age category and to continue to award those that are progressing through the ranks. With this in mind we’ll still be running formatted single runs for the kids and youth categories. They’ll get two runs of the whole course with their best run counting. They’ll also still get the opportunity to go up against everyone else and compete in the open jam session to become the overall Indoor British Champion.

For more information and pre-registration go to www.the-brits.com/indoorfacebook page for park plans (released soon) and all the latest news.

Snowboard Schedule

09.00 – 10.30 Kids and Youth (Male & Female) 2 runs for age categories* placing’s. Best run counts.
10.30 – 12.00 Open Jam session of entire course to cut whole field in half (inc. K&Y, M&F)
12.00 – 12.15 Re-shape
12.15 – 12.45 Zone 1 - 30mins session to cut field in half
12.45 – 13.05 Zone 2 - 20mins session to cut field in half
13.05 – 13.20 Zone 3 - 15mins session to cut field in half
13.20 – 13:30 Zone 4 - 10mins session to cut field to place finalists

Freeski Schedule

13.30 – 15.00 Kids and Youth (Male & Female) 2 runs for age categories* placing’s. Best run counts.
15.00 – 16.30 Open Jam session of entire course to cut whole field in half (inc. K&Y, M&F)
16.30 – 16.45 Re-shape
16.45 – 17.15 Zone 1 - 30mins session to cut field in half
17.15 – 17.35 Zone 2 - 20mins session to cut field in half
17.35 – 17.50 Zone 3 - 15mins session to cut field in half
17.50 – 18:00 Zone 4 - 10mins session to cut field to place finalists

*Age Categories: Kids = born 2000 or later. Youth = born 1997 or later. Open = Any age

Bonjour France, it’s been a long time…

After 8 happy years we feel the time has come for The BRITS to say its farewells to Switzerland and embark on a new adventure. In 2013 The BRITS will make its debut appearance in the French resort of Tignes on 23rd – 30th March. We’ve got a whole stack of exciting changes and plans in the pipeline for 2013 but for now you can look forward to a brand new rail contest and a night time Big Air event followed by an open-air live music gig, mais oui! So get it in the calendar and book your time off work as packages will be on sale from September 1st.

The time has come for a change of scenery for the much loved annual gathering. The importance of finding a resort that delivers on all accounts is of paramount importance, we need world class courses, the snow-sure factor and obviously a banging party scene. Being home to the European X Games we are confident Tignes can deliver world class courses, and with a booming UK scene and some of the best facilities the French Alps has to offer we’re proud to be taking The BRITS to one of the most famous ski resorts in the world.

And what move would be complete without a bit of a clear-out? Thanks to a thriving indoor scene we have some of the best jibbers snowboarding has to offer so we thought it was about time UK jibbers were put through their paces. Back in 2003 the slalom was dropped from The BRITS as it was felt it wasn’t a true representation of British riding, with this in mind we’ll be retaining the Olympic disciplines of Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Cross, and replacing the Big Air with an all new rail event.

The rail event will focus on delivering a skilfully sculpted jibbing paradise with relaxed judging criteria to encourage rider creativity and expression, a welcome respite from the structure and tension of Championship competition. Not wanting to lose the Big Air entirely, plans are in place to hold a flood lit night time invitational Big Air event held in the resort town which we’ll be combining with an outdoor live music gig.

Expect the usual mix of world class riding and 7 nights of relentless parties. To say we’re excited about the move and all the new changes is an understatement, we’re buzzing!



For more information check out our Facebook page or contact Jess at Soulsports – jess@soulsports.co.uk, 01273 687788. The new website will be up and running the middle of August.

Here's a great edit from Ed Castle-Henry's Castrum Productions featuring SCUK favourites Dr. Meaker, some crazy dance floor action and the Whitelines' Rail Jam.

The BRITS Snow & Music Festival has wrapped up its eighth year of world-class riding, pumping parties and some adventurous après sessions in the freestyle mecca of Laax, Switzerland. In true BRITS style, festival-goers and competitors were treated to relentless sunshine, (plus a bonus powder day at the beginning of the week) for the four days of British Championship events in Snowboard & Freeski Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Cross and Big Air.



Despite missing a few key players due to injury, the standard of riding continued to showcase the depth of British talent, with a special mention going out to the outstanding level of riding from the youth categories. For the snowboarders it was the likes of Becky Menday, Matt McCormick and Katie Ormerod who belied their years to finish in top podium positions despite fierce competition. Katie will also be hooked up with a year’s supply of products for winning the ‘One to Watch’ from new watch brand and sponsor Nooka, who were on the lookout for the most outstanding unsponsored wrist on the slopes during The BRITS 2012.

BRITS history was made when Sam Turnbull stomped the first ever double rodeo 1080 in the British Big Air, whilst the Protest Slopestyle Championships saw the highest standard of qualifiers in BRITS history (where even 7s and rodeos were not enough to secure a place in the final).

Showcasing how the BRITS takes riders from grass-roots to international events, Jamie Nicholls (who started on the circuit aged nine years-old) came back to the BRITS fresh from an eighth place finish at the X-Games, Tignes to win the 2012 Slopestyle; “I love coming here and seeing all the kids riding. We need new generations and this event pushes the sport along. I’d also like to thank The BRITS organisers who have supported me all the way. I’ve had an epic season and it’s great to come back here and become champion again,” commented Jamie.

In true BRITS spirit, freeski newcomers and unknowns Lucas Hogland and Chloe Hardy exploded on to the scene to take medals in the Protest Freeski Slopestyle Championships, with Lucas going on to podium for the second time in the British Freeski Big Air, whilst Pamela Thorburn put pedal to the metal in the Trespass Skiercross Championships to take home gold. James Machon successfully defended his British crown and took home gold in the Dare 2b Halfpipe Championships for the fourth consecutive year. Once again the youth categories continued to show how fast UK riding is progressing with 15 year-old Tyler Jay Harding riding solidly throughout the competition and 14 year-old Michael Rowlands placing fourth overall in the men’s Slopestyle.

Off the hill, highlights included the Whitelines Rail Jam, where the best of the British rail slayers battled it out with Matt McCormick walking away with a new Ride board for his efforts. UK hip hop legends Yungun and Mr Thing wowed with their eclectic music mix, and DJ Yoda had the crowds mesmerized with his live AV Set on the last night at the Rider’s Palace. The sunny Reggae BBQ and Sledgercross were welcome new additions to the BRITS line-up, and a special shout out goes to Glastonbury Award-winning six-piece live dance act Dr Meaker, who took to the mountains for an amazing open air gig on Saturday, the prefect send off to an amazing week.

See you all in 2013!
 
The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Trespass, Dare2b, Snow+Rock and Nooka. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, Ski Club of Great Britain, Metrosnow.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and LAAX. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

I ended up rooming with the guys from Greendore Productions, who were at The Brits in Laax to put together something for FHM. Check this out! Miss it next year you will not.



www.greendorefilms.com
www.drmeaker.co.uk
www.the-brits.com

The fourth and final day of competition at the BRITS 2012 saw cousins Jamie Nicholls and Katie Ormerod destroy the perfectly shaped Laax park to take home the gold in the Protest Snowboard Slopestyle Championships. The cream of British shredders saved their best for last - bathed in glorious sunshine, the level of riding was ridiculous with an array of super smooth double corks, 9s, 10s and even a double frontflip.


Jamie Nicholls

The men's category saw what must have been the highest standard of qualifiers in BRITS history, where even 7s and rodeos were not enough to secure a place in the final. Eventually the finalists were whittled down to ten riders who were given two opportunities to stomp their best run. Fresh from an eighth place finish at the European X Games there was simply no stopping Jamie Nicholls who was in unbeatable form once again. His winning run included a cab 270 on 270 off on the down rail, a super corked 7, a back 3, a front 9, a huge cab 10, a cab 5 over the hip and a back 3 over the wall gap. After his win, Jamie said: "I love coming here and seeing all the kids riding. It was a great day and everyone rode really well. We need new generations and this event pushes the sport along. I'd also like to thank The BRITS organisers who have supported me all the way. I've had an epic season and it's great to come back here and become champion again at the end of it."

Nelson Pratt was also on top form all day, treating spectators to some incredibly stylish manoeuvres to take second place. His best run consisted of a front boardslide on the down rail, a slow and steezy front 3 off the pole jam, a back rodeo, a cab 5, a ridiculously styled front 7, a melon over the hip, finishing with a front 180 melon over the gap.

The youths were particularly impressive throughout the competition, showing the depth of British shred talent, and 15-year-old Matt McCormick belied his years to finish in third place. He rode consistently well all day and threw down a front board pretzel out on the down rail, a switch back 180 over the pole jam, a backflip, a front 7, a back 7, a boardslide on the goalpost rail and a 5050 to boardslide to fakie on the flat down box. Special mentions must also go to Sam Turnbull and Jamie Trinder who were ripping all day and threw down a double rodeo and a double corked 10 respectively. Unfortunately for them they couldn't quite land their runs in the final and missed out on a spot on the podium.


Katie Ormerod

The women's category was one of the most competitive female slopestyle comps the BRITS has seen. The shredettes were laying down bigger and better runs as the day went on. After her amazing win in the big air yesterday, all eyes were on 14-year-old Katie Ormerod, and she didn't disappoint to add another gold medal to this year's medal tally. She has one of the most relaxed styles around and landed a boardlide to fakie on the top box, a cab 5 with a late indy, a front 180, a big indy, a smooth back 3, a board tap on the goalpost rail and a 5050 to front boardslide on the flat down box. "I'm really happy!" Katie said, "I love the slopestyle and I'm stoked to win the Protest holiday to a surf camp. I go to Cornwall every year so it will be great to get better at that too!"

Becky Menday also rode well all day, consistently stomping her tricks deep on the landing to take second place. She laid down a run of a front 180 on 180 off of the top box, a back 3, an indy, a method, a front 180, a back boardslide on the goalpost rail and a clean back noseslide on the flat down box. India Stephenson collected her second podium spot in as many days to come third, landing a boardslide to fakie, a half cab, a straight air, an indy, a back 3, a front 3, an air over the hip and a back noseslide on the box.

Protest Snowboard Slopestyle Results

Men
1st - Jamie Nicholls
2nd - Nelson Pratt
3rd - Matt McCormick

Women
1st - Katie Ormerod
2nd - Becky Menday
3rd - India Stephenson

Don't forget to check out the BRITS 2012 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day's competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Trespass, Dare2b, Snow+Rock and Nooka. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, Ski Club of Great Britain, Metrosnow.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and LAAX. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.

For a third day running the BRITS was treated to scorching weather and sick riding as Katie Ormerod and Sam Turnbull took home the gold in the Snowboard Big Air Championships. The Laax shapers outdid themselves once again by building an absolute beast of a kicker, which at 20 metres was the biggest in BRITS history.

After last year’s judges said that the 2011 Big Air was “the highest standard of British snowboarding” that he had ever seen the riders were under pressure to step it up and they didn’t disappoint. This year the progression was pushed even further with both men and women going absolutely massive and regularly overshooting the landing while the biggest cheer of the day went to Sam Turnbull for stomping the first ever double rodeo 1080 at the BRITS.


Sam Turnbull

The qualification runs were fiercely contested, with the UK’s best shredders throwing down an array of styled out front and back 7’s, 9’s and double corks. After the finalists had been whittled down, riders were given three hits of the kicker to show off their best tricks and were scored down for repetition to push creativity. Along with his double, Sam Turnbull sealed the win with a ridiculously smooth back 9 mute, grabbed out until the last moment. On hearing that he had just made BRITS history, Sam was characteristically chilled out: “I just go with the flow. I’m well pleased to have landed the first double rodeo at The BRITS but I’m not going to celebrate too hard tonight because I’ve got the slopestyle tomorrow.” Jamie Trinder was not far behind the mark, nailing a huge backside double corked 10 and a smooth as butter back 7 to take second place while Henry Shackleton came third with a backside corked 7 and an enormous frontside 9 melon. A special shout out must also go to 15-year-old Matt McCormick who qualified in first place with an obscenely stylish back 7 but struggled with speed as the run in got softer in the finals.

Not to be outdone, the ladies pushed the standard of women’s riding even further with some huge spins off the big kicker and some styled out straight airs. 14-year-old Katie Ormerod has always been one for the future but stepped it up today to announce her arrival as the most exciting young female rider in the country, storming into first place with an unbelievably smooth off axis backside 7 mute off the big kicker and a super tweaked back 3 indy. “It feels amazing,” she said, “I just can’t believe it. It’s the first big air I’ve won at the Brits. I hope to be a professional snowboarder and make it to the Olympics.” In second, India Stephenson added to her impressive BRITS medal tally with a back 3 stalefish and a big frontside 5, while Ayla Thidling rounded up the podium spots by nailing a big tweaked method and a frontside 180. Becky Menday was also riding extremely well all day but was unlucky in the final, where she went too big on her hits, not being able to hold on as she overshot the landing.


Kate Ormerod
 

British Snowboard Big Air Championships

Men
1st – Sam Turnbull
2nd – Jamie Trinder
3rd – Henry Shackleton

Women
1st – Katie Ormerod
2nd – India Stephenson
3rd – Ayla Thidling

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2012 daily webcasts and picture galleries at www.the-brits.com, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Trespass, Dare2b, Snow+Rock and Nooka. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, Ski Club of Great Britain, Metrosnow.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and LAAX. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.