Aimseries0506 News
Orange Brits - TV repeats (Posted Friday, April 21, 2006 by stu)
If you missed the premier of the 24min show about the Orange Brits 2006 last Saturday then here are some more chances to catch it:
Extreme Sports Channel
Gen Ex programme number 1 airs tonight at 20.00. Part of the programme will feature the first person perspective of the Orange BRITS. It will be repeated loads. Infact I think it will have been repeated more than 10 times by Sunday night!
Channel 4
Monday 24th April at 0245(am) (Early Monday Morning or Late Sunday night which ever way you look at it)
Eurosport/ YOZ
Several showings commencing Monday 24th April on the YOZ show and a possible showing Saturday 29th April at 22.30. Keep your eyes peeled on the YOZ listings.
enjoy
Orange Brits TV Air Time! (this saturday) (Posted Thursday, April 13, 2006 by stu)
Orange Brits programme airing on Channel This Weekend!
The best of the 2006 Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships will be aired on Channel 4 this Saturday 15th April at 7.30am. The 24 minute programme filmed and edited by Friday and introduced by Ed Leigh, will premier on the highly respected “Freesports On 4” Show.
The programme will display a selection of the best footage from the week’s competitions, including the snowboard halfpipe, freestlye ski big air, snowboard slopestyle with profiles on Jenny Jones, Dom Harington and not forgetting the impressive crazy crane action from the record breaking ‘Orange Air Time’ event.
Make sure you set your alarm clocks to spot yourself in the crowd or to see for the first time the heart racing action from this year’s Orange Brits, which set new heights and standards of UK snowboarding and freestyle skiing. Potential repeat show dates and times: Saturday 23rd April Channel 4 at 02:45 (CONFIRMED), dates to be confirmed to feature on Sky Sports and Extreme Channel.
The newly transformed Extreme Sports Channel show “Gen:Ex” will be opening its series with a fun Orange Brits feature on Thursday 20th April at 8pm. Filmed through the head cam attached to the presenter, it follows the journey he made from TV presenter to Orange Brits competitor and pro snowboarder – “well almost”.
Various video clips and over 700 pictures from the event are now downloadable from www.orangebrits.com
The Orange British Snowboard & Freestyle Ski Championships is the finale to the Orange AIM Series, the official competition circuit for British snowboarding and freestyle skiing that forms a path from grass roots to competition on an international level and is sanctioned by Snowsports GB.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange Brits are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Etnies, Red Bull, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Eastpak, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, media partner’s Dark Summer Magazine and Snowboardclub.co.uk.
Orange Brits - Pictures & more video's online (Posted Tuesday, April 4, 2006 by stu)
Just added 747 pictures online at orangebrits.com taken by Nathan Gallagher (N8), Tash Armitage-Green (Tash), Samantha Hart (Sam)
Also just got through a 3 minute video by the Knox Clan which has been uploaded so check that out too in the video section
Lost watch at the Brits (Posted Tuesday, April 4, 2006 by stu)
I was at the Brits and on the first day I was there, I got a little tipsy and lost my watch. It is a little sentimental to me as my sister bought it for my 21st many years ago. I think it went missing in either the crap bar, or the riders palace, on the Sunday evening , 12th.
I asked in the bars and they said they didn't find anything.
It is a Fossil watch, silver strap, blue face, waterproof down to 50m.
I can offer a small reward if anyone does have it.
Kind regards
James Mathieson
james@unknown.demon.co.uk
Orange Brits - Music Video Online (Posted Monday, March 27, 2006 by stu)
Lockdown Projects (aka Warwood & Gendle) produced another cheesy video for this year's Orange Brits and chose a Pet Shop Boys number Checkout the MUSIC video which involves many of the staff, riders and holiday makers... are you in it?
A Massive thank you! (Posted Monday, March 27, 2006 by stu)
Its been a week since we said our farewells to everyone in Laax, and just wanted to say massive thank you to all involved in the Orange British Snowboard & Freeski Championships 2006, because without you guys the event wouldn't have been the success it was. Stuart Brass - Organiser Matt Walder - Prize Giving/ organiser assist Tony Bignall - Sound Systems/ DJ Christian Stevenson - Ski MC Russell Porter - DJ Alexander Stevenson - Friday Productions/ Ch4 Chris Dutton - Branding Michael Collin - Rider Masseuse Flo Weidel - All Mountain Logistics Joe & Gunner - Drivers/ Transfers Core Press (13 titles, 20 people) Internet Press (4 titles, 5 people) TV Production Crews (5 titles, 9 people) Last but not very least the competitors:
Also I doubt many of you realise how many people actually worked on this event, so this may be of interest anyway...
Spencer Claridge - Organiser
Joanne Brown - PR/ organiser assist
Michelle Evans - Mr Ed PR
Sheela Thandasseri - Mr Ed PR
Teresa Havvas - Mr Ed PR
Dominic Ramsdale - Sound Systems
Patricia Garcia - Sound Systems
Dan Brown - Sound Systems/ DJ
Tim Warwood - Snowboard MC
Nick Maxwell - DJ
Toby Millage - DJ
Ben Bailey - DJ
Matthew Myatt - DJ
Errol Peterkin - DJ/ MC
Marcel Atteen - DJ/ MC
Joe Crossley - DJ
DJ Dainjah - DJ
Darren Beer - DJ
Ben Alexi Geffin - DJ
Dom Harington - DJ
Andy Cooper - Ugly Duckling
Dustin McFarland - Ugly Duckling
Rodney Pleasant - Ugly Duckling
Emma Smith - Friday Productions/ Ch4
Sarah Goss - Friday Productions/ Ch4
Daniel Craig - Friday Productions/ Ch4
Marek Wesolowski - Friday Productions/ Ch4
Daniel LaFarge - Friday Productions/ Ch4
Gregoire Alibelli - Friday Productions/ Ch4
Adam Gendle - Lockdown Projects (Music Video)
Chris Parker - Branding
Paul Wainwright - Branding
Dave Rushton - Branding
Nick Daniel - Branding
Steve Longden - Branding
Ben Copley - Branding
Gavin Fielding - Branding
Rob Spears - Branding
Ceri Birtles - Branding
Pete Cable - Branding
Martin Lisle - Branding
Graham Kennedy - Branding
Hailey Longden - TeePee
Rebecca Claridge - TeePee
Holly Tugwood - Registration
Poppy Smith - Registration
Samantha Hart - Photographer (Prize Giving & Party)
Tash Green-Armytage - Photographer (Ski)
Nathan Gallagher - Photographer (Snowboard)
Beth Munro - Snb Tabulation
Kirsty mellor - Ski Tabulation
Pete Turvey - Snowboard Start Ref
Shiner - Assist Snowboard Ref
Jim Adlington - Ski Start Ref
Sami Sarvela - Snb Judge/ Technical Director
Jonny Barr - Snb Judge
Lukas pan Logocki - Snb Judge
Andy Mills - Snb Judge
Andy Topping - Ski Judge
Martin Carr - Ski Judge
Nick Southwell - Ski Judge (SS)
Pat Sharples - Ski Judge (SS)
Graham Macvoy - Air Time Shaper
Colin MacVoy - Air Time Shaper
Henry Jackson - Air Time Shaper
Helen Daniels - Sandwiches
TOTAL STAFF = 77
Excludes Orange, Sponsors (Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo's, Trespass, Red Bull, Snowlife, TSA/ Ellis Brigham, Xscape, Nixon, Ortovox, Eastpak) & Laax Staff
Mainstream Press (7 titles, 9 people)
Metro
Boys Toys Magazine
Loaded
Daily Record
Maxim
Trace
Knowledge
Whitelines, Snowboard UK, Document, Fall Line, Dark Summer, Freeskier, newschoolers.com, Onboard, Method Mag, SNOW, Cooler, Ski & Board, XElements
BBC online
SnowboardClub.co.uk
Powderroom.net
Natives.co.uk
Gen//:ex, Bluebird / Hungerpain, Lockdown Projects, NZ Ski Film Production, Warren Smith Films
TOTAL PRESS = 28 Titles, 43 people
Snowboarder Competitors = 138
Skier Competitors = 71
FYI, during the 4 years the AIM Series has been running we've had 531 snowboarders compete and 335 skiers at at least one event whether it be... dryslope, indoor or the brits.
thanks!
Stu & Spence (Soul Sports)
Orange Air Time - Video Clips (Posted Wednesday, March 22, 2006 by stu)
Friday Productions put this 2 minute clip together for a news release on the Orange Air Time.
Check it out
The full 24 minute production about the Orange Brits/ Air Time will be aired on Channel 4, 15th April (early morning)
Orange Brits 2006 - Full Results Online (Posted Wednesday, March 22, 2006 by stu)
To view the full list of results from the 16th British Snowboard Championships, and 3rd British Freeski Championships then CLICK HERE
In short, here are your champions...
British Champions - Snowboard Women
Boardercross - Laura Berry
Halfpipe - Lesley McKenna
Slopestyle - Jenny Jones
Big Air - Jenny Jones
British Champions - Snowboard Men
Boardercross - Tom Wilmott
Halfpipe - Dom Harington
Slopestyle - Nate Kern
Big Air - Nate Kern
British Champions - Ski Women
Skiercross - Emily Sarsfield
Halfpipe - Emma Lonsdale
Slopestyle - Naomi Edmonson
Big Air - Naomi Edmonson
British Champions - Ski Men
Skiercross - Angus Morison
Halfpipe - Paddy Graham
Slopestyle - Andy Bennett
Big Air - Joe Tyler
Here is a quick link to someone's footage of James Thorne dropping 10m in the Orange Air Time event
youtube.com
Amendment to Orange Brits Boardercross Results (Posted Tuesday, March 21, 2006 by joannebrown)
Our apologies go out to Steven Trolland who was reported to have come third in the Orange Brits Boardercross Championships, he did in fact place 2nd - 'Well done Steve'
Results
1. Tom Willmott , Shrewsbury
2. Steve Trolland, Scotland
3. James Foster, Chuckfield
Orange Air Time Results (Posted Friday, March 17, 2006 by joannebrown)
New European Record for James Thorne at Orange ‘Air Time’ Event
The Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships 2006
Thursday 16th March 2006
Today at the Orange BRITS, in Laax, Switzerland, UK snowboarder James Thorne was crowned King of the Orange Air Time, jumping in from a total height of nineteen metres, beating off close competition from Nate Kern and skier Rob Taylor, who both landed their drop from a height of eight metres above the colossal nine metre quarterpipe, but both fell on nine metres. 
The Orange ‘Air Time’ event is a free-fall competition that witnessed British skiers and snowboarders jump from a crane onto a snow quarterpipe. Eight of UK’s most courageous snow sports freestylers - six snowboarders and two skiers - were selected to jump from the platform suspended high above a free-standing snow quarterpipe (curved landing area).
Starting at the qualifying height of five metres above the quarterpipe, the competitors, including Jenny Jones, Scott McMorris, Gary Greenshields, Andy Bennett and Tyler Chorlton jumped one by one, until all competitors bar James Thorne had either fallen or bowed out.
After landing his new European record, James Thorne commented, “It’s pretty scary when you are up there, and looking down, the coping seems very far away. Once you are there though, you just prepare and go for it. I was very stoked to land it. What a way to end the Orange BRITS!”
The Orange Air Time event took place in front of hundreds of spectators in the heart of Laax, and was one of the biggest attractions at this year’s event.
Orange Air Time 2006
Competitors:
Winner - James Thorne, Snowboarder, 24, Norfolk - Landed 9&10m
Nate Kern, Snowboarder, 23, London - Landed 8m
Rob Taylor, Skier, 21, South Wales - Landed 8m
Gary Greenshields, Snowboarder, 26, Edinburgh - Landed 8m
Tyler Chorlton, Snowboarder, 19, Andorra - Landed 6m (sprained ankle)
Scott McMorris, Snowboarder, 24, Edinburgh - Landed 6m
Andy Bennett, Skier, 23, Nottingham - Landed 5m
Jenny Jones, Snowboarder, 25, Bristol - Landed 4m
Full results and images will be available soon!!!
Final Day at the Orange Brits - Snowboard Slopestyle & Ski Halfpipe Results (Posted Friday, March 17, 2006 by joannebrown)
The Final Day at the Orange BRITS 2006 rounds off a tremendous week of championships
Thursday 16th March 2006
Last day of the Orange BRITS, skies were initially overcast, but as the radio crackles, and a voice permeates to inform that the skies above are clear where the course is, all are ready for some serious Freestyle Ski Halfpipe and Snowboard Slopestyle action.
SNOWBOARD – Slopestyle
This event is all about style, skill and tenacity. Rolling all of that into clean lines and landings on the downhill assault course, the competitors were faced with a choice of lines consisting of 8 – 15m size kickers, rails, boxes and an 8m wall ride. Jenny Jones was clearly out in front. After spinning 540’s with ease, both normal and switch off the biggest kickers, Jenny continued her technical run with a stylish tailslide to fakie over the flat box and a smooth 50:50 noseslide over the A-Frame box to check in first. In second, came Vikki Miller, whose strong riding has impressed this week and her Slopestyle appearance continued her notable form. She pulled off a cab 540, 50:50 to frontside 180 off the flat box and a really solid noseslide on the kinked box which the judges commented as top notch. She is a force to be reckoned with and has huge future potential on the British snowboarding scene. The only junior through to the Final was Laura Berry, proving her worth alongside the seniors as she firmly produced a frontside tailpress off the flat box and tamed the 8m wall ride Again, a future star internationally, having made big impressions as a British contingent and Orange BRITS regular.
In the men’s final Nate Kern, making his debut at this year’s event pocketed his second championship title of the week, after taking home first in the Big Air discipline yesterday. Proving better on the day, Nate executed a high class technical run of a switch backside 720, a switch 900 and gap to wall ride to finish. The photogenic Tyler Chorlton picked up second with a solid run consisting of a backside 900 and switch backside 720 over the jumps to gap the wall ride face. Slopestyle wizard and last years champ, Scott McMorris came in a close third after cleanly landing a switch 540, a huge backside 720 and a 270 rotation on and off the flat box. All in all, the top three made points distinction pretty hard for the judges and raised the bar further in favour of British snowboarding standards. Like Laura Berry, fellow youth Sam Cullum, did the junior category proud, only just missing to place fourth.
Results:
Men’s Big Air
1. Nate Kern, East Sussex
2. Tyler Chorlton, Brighton/Andorra
3. Scott McMorris, Edinburgh
Women’s Big Air
1. Jenny Jones, Bristol
2. Vikki Miller, Herts
3. Laura Berry, Milton Keynes
SKI – Halfpipe Championships
Up on the mountain, blue skies welcomed the qualification rounds as the UK’s best took to the Halfpipe. In the women’s competition it was Yorkshire lass Emma Lonsdale whose stylish and fluid runs provided her with the win. Starting with a huge iron cross on the first hit, Emma went on to produce an impressive alley-oop with a further iron cross and an ally-oop 360. Shelley Jones continued her good form of the week and closely followed with a 540 and an ally-oop, a smooth run albeit not enough for first spot. Third place was seized by Beanie Milne-Home who showed her ambidextrous skills on both sides of the pipe with back-to-back ally-oops.
The men’s contest was floored by the northern contingency. Crowds witnessed a huge 540 and a massive 900 rotation from Sheffield’s Paddy Graham, again producing smooth moves and high hits to take first place. Next up for the number two spot and Andy Bennett went into his first hit with a big mute grab, a 540 on the third, an alley-oop and a very impressive flare (a backflip 180 rotation). It was a close call between Dave Houghton and Richard Martin for third and fourth, but Sheffield’s Richard Martin clinched the third spot with good air on the first hit, a huge mute grab and a solid flare.
Results:
Mens
1. Paddy Graham, Sheffield
2. Andy Bennett, Nottingham
3. Richard Martin, Sheffield
Womens
1. Emma Lonsdale, N. Yorkshire
2. Shelley Jones, Stoke On Trent
3. Beanie Milne-Home, Inverness
For More information go to www.orangebrits.com
Orange customers can receive the latest Orange AIM Series and Orange Brits news for free by texting SNOW to 247, and for competitions, webcams, gear guides, rider interviews and much more visit the Snow Sports channel on Orange World, the Orange WAP portal.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange Brits are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Red Bull, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, destination partner Switzerland Tourism, internet partner Snowboardclub.co.uk and media partner Dark Summer Magazine.
Orange Brits - Skiercross & Snowboard Big Air Results (Posted Thursday, March 16, 2006 by joannebrown)
The Thrills & Spills of Big Air and Skiercross
The Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships 2006
Wednesday 15th March 2006
The penultimate day of The Orange Brits went up another notch with yet more hardcore action and inevitably a few spills. The crowds rose to the bait of another huge day of competitions for the championships.
SNOWBOARD – Big Air
Day three and the Big Air Championships were on schedule. The morning blue skies began to cloud slightly after lunchtime, but nothing that would affect the expectancy for the snowboard Big Air final. The men’s competition saw Nate Kern pull off an astounding Cab 1080 – a full forwards triple rotation, which is a first in the Orange BRITS and an immense trick which nailed him first place, closely followed by an on-form Scott McMorris who rose to the skies with a textbook frontside 720 mute grab off the big 15m kicker. Providing class and style, Danny Wheeler executed a colossal backside 900 to snap up third place.
The women’s competition sorted the wheat from the grain with only Orange Team captain Jenny Jones attempting to go from the biggest kicker in the final. Charging the field, Jenny chose her line and performed a frontside 540 indy, putting her out in front. Posy Dixon joined Jenny, who were the only two to land cleanly away and packed a backside 360 from the 10m jump. Jo Chasteney also took a backside line with a 180 but slipped slightly on the landing, costing points and putting her in third place. There were multiple slams, a few winces and no doubt bruises but all in all, one of the most exciting events of the week.
Results:
Men’s Big Air
1. Nate Kern, East Sussex
2. Scott McMorris, Edinburgh
3. Danny Wheeler, Yorkshire
Women’s Big Air
1. Jenny Jones, Bristol
2. Posy Dixon, London
3. Jo Chasteney, Dorset
SKI – Skiercross
Day three for the skiers saw them go head to head for the skiercross. World Cup circuit competitors Angus Morison and Emily Sarsfield were on form and flying the flag for British skiing, here specifically for the Orange BRITS skiercross, showing the new breed of freestyle skiers the old school way. The odds-on favourite for the men’s was Pat Sharples, had he not crashed out in spectacular fashion in the semi’s. Leaving the competition open, the final saw Angus Morison, Jax Stephens, Brad Scott and Brian Latto take it on. Angus led the pack from the start and cruised to claim first place. Brad Scott mirrored his placement from last year’s Skiercross to take second again, whilst Jax Stephens got a well deserved third place.
The women’s skiercross was just as fast paced. From the starting gates, the podium was set. Emily led from the start and had the race under control through to the end, closely followed by East Sussex ladies Anja Rees-Jones in second and Lizzie Cranfield taking the bronze.
Results:
Mens
1. Angus Morison, Glasgow
2. Brad Scott, Lake Tahoe (US)
3. Jax Stephens,
Womens
1. Emily Sarsfield, Durham
2. Anja Rees-Jones, East Sussex
3. Lizzie Cranfield, East Sussex
For More information go to ww.orangebrits.com
Orange customers can receive the latest Orange AIM Series and Orange Brits news for free by texting SNOW to 247, and for competitions, webcams, gear guides, rider interviews and much more visit the Snow Sports channel on Orange World, the Orange WAP portal.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange Brits are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Red Bull, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, destination partner Switzerland Tourism, internet partner Snowboardclub.co.uk and media partner Dark Summer Magazine.
Orange Brits - Snowboard Halfpipe & Ski Slopestyle Results (Posted Wednesday, March 15, 2006 by joannebrown)
Battle of the Titans…
Day Two and the big names fight it out at The Orange BRITS
The Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships 2006
Tuesday 14th March 2006
More sun than the sunshine state and day two did not disappoint. The day of the Snowboard Halfpipe meant that the big guns were out in force, Dan Wakeham and Lesley McKenna were ready, willing and able to put on a show. Competitor numbers were up again and an amped atmosphere continued.
SNOWBOARD – Halfpipe
Second day of the Championships and the much anticipated Snowboard Halfpipe aka “The Dan & Dom Show” pulled in the crowds and the competitors, no one wanted to call between the Olympian Dan Wakeham and last year’s Orange BRITS halfpipe champion Dom Harington, and so the fight for the 2006 title commenced. Dan Wakeham’s first hit in the pipe saw the highest rotation of the competition, then leading into the huge frontside 900 into a backside tail grab, frontside 720 and finished with a Haakon flip looked to have done enough to take first prize. But Dom Harington’s faultless technical run consisting of a frontside 720 into a Haakon flip followed by the biggest straight air of the competition was finished with a backside 540. The super stylish run had done enough to take the extra points and retain the title. Dan Wakeham finished second whilst the young Ben Kilner, 17, fought off strong competition to take third with a frontside 720 to cab frontside 720 in another big run.
When you hear from Olympic GB team members that this is one of the biggest pipes they have ever ridden, the expectations are set for some huge action. In the woman’s Snowboard Halfpipe tipped favourite, Lesley McKenna, showed true form to take the title and set the standard with a frontside 720 to cab 360 and huge method grab. Orange Team Captain Jenny Jones took second with a solid run including a frontside 360 and frontside 540. Yesterday’s Boardercross runner-up Vicki Miller, took another great third place with big frontside airs and a frontside 360.
Results:
Mens
1. Dom Harington, Leeds
2. Dan Wakeham, Plymouth
3. Ben Kilner, Aberdeen
Womens
1. Lesley McKenna, Aviemore
2. Jenny Jones, Bristol
3. Vicki Miller, Hertfordshire
SKI – Slopestyle
The freestyle skiers started in fine form and the first run of the day saw immediate action from the seasoned professionals and the newcomers. The heavyweights of Freestyle Ski were out for the Slopestyle. Last year’s Slopestyle Champion Andy Bennett ruled supreme with a switch 540 and corked 720 over the kickers and easily negotiated the rollercoaster rail. The dominant run maintained Bennett’s title. Yesterday’s Big Air winner, Joe Tyler took second place with two switch 720’s and gapped the bottom A-frame rail. Of particular note was 14 year old Murray Buchan, yesterday’s Freestyle Ski Big Air runner-up. Again competing with the seniors in the final and showing consistent form in today’s Slopestyle, Murray impressed that he is a world class contender in the making. A switch 5, corked 720 and another smooth wall ride and third place was in the bag for the youngster.
The women’s Freestyle Ski Slopestyle was dominated by an on-form Naomi Edmondson, yesterday’s Big Air Champion. The only female to execute a 360 off the big kicker, Naomi continued her run with a 180 rotation and finished by cleaning the A-frame rail. Shelley Jones, from Stoke on Trent, scooped second place with an iron cross over the middle kicker and a smooth wall ride and third place went to Beanie Milnehome for another iron cross over the middle kicker and solid grind over the box rail. Day two just oozed style and technique.
Results:
Mens
1. Andy Bennett , Nottinghamshire
2.Joe Tyler, Halifax
3. Murray Buchan, Edinburgh
Womens
1. Naomi Edmondson, Northampton
2. Shelley Jones, Stoke on Trent
3. Beanie Milnehome, Inverness
For More information go to ww.orangebrits.com
Orange customers can receive the la test Orange AIM Series and Orange Brits news for free by texting SNOW to 247, and for competitions, webcams, gear guides, rider interviews and much more visit the Snow Sports channel on Orange World, the Orange WAP portal.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange Brits are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Red Bull, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, destination partner Switzerland Tourism, internet partner Snowboardclub.co.uk and media partner Dark Summer Magazine.
Orange Brits 2006 Boardercross & Ski Big Air Results (Posted Tuesday, March 14, 2006 by joannebrown)
New Season, Newcomers, New Standards…
The Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships 2006 off to a spectacular start
Monday 13 March 2006
After 4 weeks of constant snow, the gods smiled, the sun blazed and The Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships 2006 got underway. As snowboarders, skiers, Olympic GB members and the media descended upon the stunning resort of Laax, Switzerland the atmosphere was high-spirited and contagious. A spectacular start for a spectacular event saw first day competitor entries up 40% from the previous year. Growing in size, stature and adrenaline highs, the Orange Brits is raising the bar and setting the standard.
SNOWBOARD - Boardercross
The Boardercross kicked off the snowboard competition with record numbers donning helmets to go head to head down a technical course of banked turns and jumps in heats of four. Last year’s top three made it into the final and after a close run, Tom Willmott, the New Zealand team coach who had set the pace for the whole competition throughout his heats, snatched the crown and glory from last year’s winner and GB World team member James Foster who came in Third. 2004 Boardercross Champion ‘Steve Trolland” kept his cool and came in a close second whilst James Thorne obviously couldn’t take the heat and had to strip down to thermals.
The women’s competition was possibly tenser. Into the final last year’s Boardercross champion Laura Berry was squeezed out, back into fourth place at the first corner. Bournemouth’s Sonia Shaw led the race and looked to have it in the bag until the final turn when the charged Laura Berry, who by this point had chased through the pack, managed to take the edge and the 2006 Boardercross title. That’s determination for you. Vicki Miller took third.
Results:
Mens
1. Tom Willmott , Shrewsbury
2. Steve Trolland, Scotland
3. James Foster, Chuckfield
Womens
1. Laura Berry, Milton Keynes
2. Sonia Shaw, Bournemouth
3. Vicki Miller, Herts
SKI - Big Air
The Big Air competition ensured that the Freestyle Ski championships started in stylish form. The standard and volume of new competitors was extremely high this season and competition was fierce. The judges were particularly impressed with the number of high spinning rotations amongst the younger competitors. Joe Tyler took the men’s comp in hand winning with a perfectly executed switch, corked 900 which forced last year’s Big Air champion Andy Bennett’s switch, corked 720 into second place. The youngster Murray Buchan, at just 14 years old and competing in the youth category impressed absolutely everyone with a cleanly landed switch 900 that beat off all the other professionals and sent him sailing into third place.
The women’s Big Air went up a notch this year, with more competitor entries than ever before. Once again the standard was impressive with most skiers hitting the biggest of the three kickers. Naomi Edmondson from Northampton took the title with a stylish 540 over the 15 metre kicker, whilst Terri Spencer took second with a textbook 360 spin, again from the big kicker. Newcomer to the UK scene and first timer at the Orange BRITS, Nastasia Bach, got the judges nod of approval and took third place. An amazing start to the week long championships.
Results:
Mens
1. Joe Tyler, Halifax
2. Andy Bennett , Nottinghamshire
3. Murray Buchan, Edinburgh
Womens
1. Naomi Edmondson, Northampton
2. Terri Spencer, Halifax
3. Nastasia Bach
For More information go to www.orangebrits.com
Orange customers can receive the latest Orange AIM Series and Orange Brits news for free by texting SNOW to 247, and for competitions, webcams, gear guides, rider interviews and much more visit the Snow Sports channel on Orange World, the Orange WAP portal.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange Brits are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Red Bull, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, destination partner Switzerland Tourism, internet partner Snowboardclub.co.uk and media partner Dark Summer Magazine.
Laax is dumping (Posted Thursday, March 9, 2006 by stu)
Arrived in Laax on Tuesday night and its not stopped dumping since the weekend :)
And its supposed to clear for Monday...bring it on!
stu
Orange Brits - Slopestyle Course finalised (Posted Monday, March 6, 2006 by stu)
Here is is.... The 2006 Slopestye Course for the British Snowboard & Freestyle Ski Championships next week in Laax, Switzerland
From across the pond UGLY DUCKLING to headline at the ORANGE BRITS, 2006. (Posted Wednesday, March 1, 2006 by stu)
The US hip-hop trio, Ugly Ducking will be kicking off their 2006 European Tour at the ORANGE BRITS on Thursday 16th March in Laax, Switzerland. The new album “Bang For The Buck” is due out on March 20th in the UK, so expect these Los Angelian’s to be shaking the House of ORANGE BRITS through the early hours with new destructive beats. Be warned admission is limited although Orange BRITS pass holders will guarantee entry.
THE ORANGE BRITS 2006 ANNOUNCESTHIS YEAR’S MUSIC MAKERS
Visitors, residents and competitors will be treated to a medley of music makers and shakers at this year’s Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships in Laax, Switzerland.
Throughout the week of 11-18th March 2006, whether on the mountain or in one of the resort’s event bars, those with the festival pass can hear the likes of Orange BRITS regular TobyOne, lyrical MC spirits SirReal (funk, hip-hop MCing with the likes of Freestylers and Dub Pistols) and Bad Manner (performer extraordinaire – Reading, V, Love Box, Essential Festival etc), Matt Smooth (Scratch), Ben ‘Sneaker’ Bailey, all blessed with Funkroyale fame (www.funkroyal.com), accompanied by Russ Porter (Quantic Soul Orchestra & Limp Twins), Nick Maxwell (The Menagerie), Darren Jay (AWOL), current British Halfpipe Champion, member of the British Snowboard Team and Homegrown DJ Dom Harington and Winter Sessions / Red Bull’s Uncle Joe and DJ Dainjah.
On Monday 13th March, Thirty Two’s party sees mainstay DJs TonyB, Nick Maxwell and Dom Harrington kicking off the week in style at the local ‘Crap Bar’, whilst Tuesday throws down ‘BARKNOWLEDGE’ in association with Onboard and Animal with DJs Beni G, Darren J and Dom Harington in the ‘Lobby Bar’ of the Riders Palace. 
JUST ANNOUNCED – Headliners for the main party night on Thursday 16th March, Orange presents UGLY DUCKLING with the Vans / Funkroyale crew at the infamous Riders Palace Club. Following the Funkroyale team fresh from opening nights in Lisbon and a special Herbal (Shoreditch, London) anniversary with Goldie, UGLY DUCKLING lyricists Andy and Dizzy and D.J. Young Einstein will be pumping out booty shaking classic hip-hop. Their style is buoyant, brimming with character, humour and fat funky beats.
As for their new album ‘Bang For The Buck’, due to be released March 6th, Andy comments, "We wanted the record to sound like a fight-scene from an old, cowboy movie. Big hits and loud shots ringing out. Destructive but fun..." Also included is a rare collaboration with "People Under the Stairs" called "Shoot Your Shot". Inspired by A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario", U.D. and P.U.T.S. put together a jumping track that will get a listener yelling along with all of the hooks. - www.uglyduckling.us
Winding down the week’s non-stop action, from the best of British snowboarding and freestyle skiing, top DJ and artists will be ‘Winter Sessions ala Red Bull’. Yet again the Riders palace denotes the infectious sounds of Winter Sessions and the Red Bull Music Academy with DJ Dainjah (www.djdainjah.com) mixing up an eclectic mix of funk, soul and hip-hop and the UK’s own Uncle Joe (www.worldsessions.com) cramming the night with broken beat breaks and good ol’ drum and bass.
TRAVEL SPECIAL - To be part of this legendary event the organisers and Laax are offering a holiday package including 7 nights accommodation, 6 days liftpass, a party wristband and event-bag – all from only £249. For bookings and more information on the event go to http://www.orangebrits.com
Serious freefall with new Orange ‘Air Time’ Event (Posted Friday, February 3, 2006 by stu)
UK’s top snowboarders and skiers in Europe’s first drop-in competition.
Organisers (Soul Sports) of the Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships; The Orange BRITS, announced that this year’s competition will feature an event that has never been staged before in Europe and has only been attempted once before anywhere in the world.
The Orange ‘Air Time’ event will take place in Laax, Switzerland on the 16th March 2006 and is a free fall competition that will see British skiers and snowboarders jump from a crane onto snow. Ten of UK’s most courageous snowsports’ freestylers - six snowboarders and four skiers - will be selected to jump from a platform suspended high above a free-standing snow quarter pipe (curved landing area).
Starting at the qualifying height of five metres above the quarter pipe, the competitors jump one by one. Each round the platform is heightened by 1 metre, until only one remains. Competitors are eliminated by either falling upon landing or bowing out. The crane is able to extend to twenty metres high (equivalent to a 6 storey building), which would be a new world record.
The Orange Air Time event will take place in front of hundreds of spectators in the heart of Laax and is expected to be one of the biggest attractions at this year’s event.
Stuart Brass of Soulsports, the organisers of the Orange BRITS, commented: “Orange is a key partner for the BRITS, and this year we both felt it right that we add a new element to the competition to give British skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to set the standard in a totally new and incredibly exciting event. The boundaries are always being pushed in this sport and this is an example of how innovation and ambition can help the British scene to break new ground. We’re aiming for a Brit to come away with an incredible British and European record that will be difficult to beat in future competitions.”
To experience the legendary action at the Orange Brits between the 11th and 18th March event organisers and Laax are offering a holiday package including 7 nights accommodation, 6 days liftpass, a party wristband and event-bag – all from only £249. Bookings can be made on www.orangebrits.com.
Orange customers can receive the latest Orange AIM Series and Orange BRITS news for free by texting SNOW free to 247, to receive a link to competitions, webcams, gear guides, rider interviews and much more all on the Snow Sports channel on Orange World, the Orange WAP portal.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange BRITS are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, destination partner Switzerland Tourism, internet partner SnowboardClub.co.uk and media partner Dark Summer Magazine.
Freestyle junkies with party streak wanted! (Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2005 by jennyahnell)
Orange Brits 11 – 18 March 2006, Laax, Switzerland – BOOK NOW!
Europe’s biggest national championship, the Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships returns to Laax, Switzerland from the 11 to the 18 March 2006. Known as the Orange Brits, it is the one event that takes the pulse of the British scene and showcases the talent and diversity of Olympic, professional and amateur standard athletes.
Last year boundaries were pushed as the Orange Brits took on Laax exceptional freestyle arena, home of the famous Super-pipe and European Open Slopestyle course. New kids on the block, young and seasoned pros ripped with world class performances that impressed the judges and entertained the spectators – for many the best performances the Brits has ever witnessed! With more progressive talent than ever before and some impressive showdowns during the AIM Series events in 2005 the Orange Brits 2006 will no doubt raise the bar yet again!
In recognition of the talent expected at this year’s event, title sponsor Orange has introduced a new award for 2006. The Orange Brightest Talent Award will go to the snowboarder or skier judged to have the brightest future in the sport.
Embracing the unique vibe of the event the Orange Brits DJ collective and invited music acts will keep the party rockin’ from the mountain top, through the après-ski, and well into the night. The Homegrown crew always get the party cranking with their eclectic mix of Hip Hop, Rn’B, Drum n’ Bass and classic rock. As Britain’s most defiantly talented athletes join forces with some of the world’s most dedicated party-goers you are sure to experience the time of your life! Watch this space for the full line up to roll into the Rider’s Palace and the famous ‘Crap’ bar!
The 2006 event itinerary will run as follows:
Snowboard
Monday 13th March - Boardercross
Tuesday 14th March - Halfpipe
Wednesday 15th March - Big Air
Thursday 16th March - Slopestyle
Freestyle Ski
Monday 13th March - Big Air
Tuesday 14th March - Slopestyle
Wednesday 15th March - Skiercross
Thursday 16th March - Halfpipe
To not miss out the best deals for this legendary event bookings can be made on the Orange Brits website NOW – www.orangebrits.com For 7 nights accommodation, 6 days liftpass, event bag and party wristband the price is as low as last year, starting from £249.
Orange customers can receive the latest Orange AIM Series and Orange Brits news for free by texting SNOW to 247, and for competitions, webcams, gear guides, rider interviews and much more visit the Snow Sports channel on Orange World, the Orange WAP portal.
The Orange AIM Series and the Orange Brits are sponsored by: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, ThirtyTwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife.org.uk, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon and official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham, resort partners Laax.com, airline partner Swiss Airlines, destination partner Switzerland Tourism, internet partner Snowboardclub.co.uk and media partner Dark Summer Magazine.
Orange AIM Series - All Video Reviews online (Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2005 by stu)
All the video reviews are now upto date with the latest edition form the "Best of British" held at the Daily Mail Show last month
Video Reviews by the Knox Clan
You can also checkout the Orange Brits Advert (action and partying from the event). If you havent seen the music video from Laax that Lockdown put together for us then now's your chance.
Orange name four amateur snowboarders to turn pro (Posted Thursday, October 20, 2005 by stu)
Following a nationwide search to find the very best young snowboarding talent, Orange have announced the four amateur snowboarders that have been given the opportunity to turn pro as Orange Team Talk Now.
Claire Frost, Laura Hill, Olly Wood and Mark Watson were chosen from hundreds of snowboarders competing at the Orange AIM Series events that took place across the UK during the summer. The team will be coached by Britain’s leading female freestyle snowboarder, Jenny Jones, and will now embark on a six month calendar of events that promises to be the opportunity of a lifetime.
The team made its first public appearance at the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show in London on Friday 14th October in the Orange AIM Series Jib Crew Challenge. Following the show the team will be heading off to Tignes, in the French Alps, for a training camp with Jenny Jones. Jenny will continue to coach and mentor the team throughout the season and, on returning from the training camp, will be preparing them to compete against the best riders from the UK at the British Championships, the Orange Brits, in the Alps in March 2006. The Orange Brits are held in March every year and attract more than 650 competitors from the UK.
As well as the coaching, the travel and the competitions, the team will also be kitted out with Orange’s latest technology, Talk Now. Ideal for winter sports, it works like a walkie talkie, creating immediate connection between two or more (Talk Now enabled) mobile phones. Jenny and her team will all be given handsets and will be communicating throughout the season - both on and off the slopes - using the new technology.
Jenny Jones, professional snowboarder and coach to Orange Team Talk Now commented: “This is a huge opportunity for any amateur snowboarder. To be given the chance to make it as a pro through training and support is relatively unheard of and a dream come true for any aspiring snowboarder. This is also a great opportunity for me as it’s a chance to share some of my experience with four riders that could be the future of British snowboarding.”
Darrell Mclennan-Fordyce, Head of Sports Sponsorships and Partnerships, Orange commented: “This team has been created to help develop the next generation of British snowboarding talent. This ranges from providing them with the right technology to help them communicate on the slopes and as a group, through to training in the Alps from one of Britain’s greatest professional snowboarders.”
Orange Team Talk Now : Claire Frost, Laura Hill, Jenny Jones, Olly Wood and Mark Watson
| Jenny Jones Jenny is 25 years old and is from Bristol. She turned pro seven years ago after only one season on snow and holds a number of titles including two times Vans Triple Crown Champion (US), “Rookie of the year” 2003 in US snowboard magazine “Transworld”, and the current Orange British Slopestyle and Big Air Champion. In 2004 Jenny was given her own section in the first all female international snowboard movie 'Dropstitch', which proved that she is one of the world’s top ranking female professionals. | |
| Claire Frost A 19 year old from Aberdeen who is in her second year at Durham University studying Engineering. She has been snowboarding for six years. This summer’s AIM Series saw her making her comeback following a knee injury in 2004. Her performance in the competition saw her come 3rd in the AIM Indoor Slopestyle Championships. | Laura Hill A 21 year old undergraduate form Leeds University who is in the second year of a development and economics degree. She lives in Cirencester and has been snowboarding for five years. She has done two seasons in the Three Valleys in France and her favourite resort is June Mountain in the US. She is the reigning current Orange AIM Series Indoor Slopestyle Champion – which was her very first competition. |
| Olly Wood A 24 year old from Farnham in Surrey who is studying Oceanography at Southampton University. He has been snowboarding for nine years and has done one full season in the French resort of Morzine. He was the British Universities Snowsports Council (BUSC) Halfpipe Champion in 2003 and 2004. | Mark Watson A 20 year old mechanical engineering from Banchory in Scotland who is studying at Edinburgh University. He has been snowboarding for five years and did a season in New Zealand in 2003. The AIM Series was only Mark’s third competition. |
The team was selected by a panel of Orange talent scouts from snowboarders participating in the Orange AIM series throughout the summer. In order to qualify for selection for the Orange Talk Now Team the snowboarders had to be students, amateur riders and have no existing sponsors.
Orange AIM Series - All Video Reviews online (Posted Wednesday, October 19, 2005 by stu)
The Knox Clan have been busy filming all the events on the UK tour this year and have been added to each event page as and when the events have happened.
But I thought it might be nice to have them all on one page for you to checkout... loads of action with some cracking sound tracks, check em out
ALL VIDEO REVIEWS
The Orange AIM Series Best of British and Best Jib Crew (Posted Tuesday, October 18, 2005 by joannebrown)
Surprises as new Best of British Champions are crowned
The 2005 Orange AIM Series Best of British showdown at the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show on Friday the 14th October conjured many surprises after a very tight battle between the UK’s top snowboarders and freestyle skiers.
The line-up for the afternoon qualifiers was a who’s who of British snowboarding and freestyle skiing. Taking on the snowboard battle were Gary Greenshields, Ryan Davis, James Thorne, Scott McMorris, Mike Austin, Sam Cullum, Danny Wheeler, Nate Kern, Josh Wolf, Nelson Pratt, Stu Edwards, Tyler Chorlton, Jamie Nicholls and the first ever lady Mollie Percival. Fighting the ski corner were Tom Last, Jamie Cameron, Andy Bennett, Paddy Graham, Mike Wakefield, Brad Scott, Andrew Colin, James Woods, Eddie Thelwell and Murray Buchan.
All riders and skiers had just two practice runs and two judged runs, from which the best score counts, in both the qualifiers and the final. The top three scores in the final then went head to head in a one run super final. Considering the restrictions of an indoor jump with a much narrower, dicier run-in and landing area, the standard of riding was incredibly impressive. Going as fast and high as they possibly could in the quest to win the title, the watchful crowds witnessed a fine display including 5’s, 7’s, D-Spins and rodeos.
In the snowboard competition it was soon clear that the firm favourites, Orange Brits Big Air Champion Tyler Chorlton and Scott McMorris, Orange Brits Slopestyle Champion, were in for stiff competition from fellow contenders. Riding super well all day, Mike Austin definitely surprised with his strong front rodeo 7’s, as did 12 year old Jamie Nicholls who stood out among all the other riders double his age! After the qualifiers Tyler took the lead as he stomped a corked backside 720 mute grab, closely followed by Mike who also stomped his frontside rodeo 720. Following third was Ryan Davis with a cab 7 and Nate Kern, Sam Cullum, Scott McMorris, Danny Wheeler, Stu Edwards and Jamie Nicholls also went through to the evening’s final.
After a few hours rest the riders were back on top of the jump for the finals. Qualifying last into the final, Jamie Nicholls was on top form as he took revenge with a corked backside 7 to qualify third into the super final, equal with Mike Austin’s backside 720. Scott, who won the title last year, retaliated from his qualifying runs with a cork backside 7 indy to secure second spot in the super final just after Tyler, who held on to his lead with a clean cork backside 7 Japan.
After a rapid fire display by all riders and skiers that did not make the super final, four snowboarders and three skiers lined up for their one run chance to win the Best of British title 2005. Scott, who went for a corked backside 7, lost points as he messed up his landing finishing fourth. Taking third place Jamie went for the competitions first 900 but fell upon landing, as did Tyler performing another corked backside 7 Japan. Taking the title was a stunned Mike Austin with a frontside rodeo 7, although with a slight hand drag.
The UK freestyle ski scene has had a progressive number of fresh blood come through in the last year, but in Olympia’s Grande Hall it was again a face-off between the UK’s top four Mike Wakefield, Andy Bennett, Paddy Graham and young Murray Buchan. New on the UK scene, Brad Scott also showed he is one to watch out for with his big Misty 5’s and 7’s. The race was close between Andy Bennett and Mike as Andy qualified top into the final with a switch 5 mute just ahead of Mike’s Backflip 180 mute, subsequently followed by Paddy and Murray respectively. The following skiers also made the final cut, in order; Brad Scott / Andy Collin (equal) and Eddie Thelwell.
In the final, Mike took the lead after the first run with his D-Spin 7 mute/ nose, whilst Andy Bennett took highest score in the second run perfectly performing a 720 mute. Competition was just as close between Paddy and Murray, with Murray clinching third spot in the super final with his 720 Tail grab. With only one run to the title, all stops were pulled out in the super final. First up, Murray went for a 900, his trademark trick form earlier AIM Series events, but unfortunately crashed on landing. Mike followed with a high score for a Switch 7 Mute and tension grew as Andy B dropped in. Landing a perfect D-Spin 7 Mute the judges weighed the competition on points and style before they awarded the title to Andy only points five ahead of Mike.
Both Mike Austin and Andy Bennett won themselves a trip for two to the Orange Brits next March 11 – 18th 2006 in Laax, Switzerland, which will be the next big snowboard / freestyle ski event to catch all the aforementioned riders in action. Holiday packages to this event starts from as little as £249 and bookings can be made online via hhtp//:www.orangebrits.com.
Results Snowboarding:
Best of British champion: Mike Austin, Cheltenham
2) Tyler Chorlton, Brighton / Andorra
3) Jamie Nicholls, Bradford
Results Freestyle Skiing:
Best of British champion: Andy Bennett, Kneesall
2) Mike Wakefield, Hemsworth
3) Murray Buchan, Edinburgh
Team Work Prevails At the JIB Crew Challenge
The Orange AIM Series Best Jib Crew Challenge showed team work was the key at the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show on Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th October.
Five snowboard and two freestyle ski crews battled it out on the 4m rail and 3m rollercoaster box over the five day competition. Handpicked through a nationwide search with five members in each crew, UK’s hottest jibbers competed for one day each adding their scores together with the hopes of being the crew with the highest accumulated total. Challenged by the non snow surface but quickly to adapt riders were throwing down, grinds, all boardslides and 270’s out. The ski jib crews dominated the competition with consistency and team work the SSV Crew gained top spot leaving The Snoop Loop Crew only points behind. Chris Chatt, a member of the Ride Snowboard Team Crew achieved the highest individual score of the competition, but this was all about team effort and after high results were combined it was the ATV Crew who took the Best Snowboard Jib Crew title.
Results:
Orange AIM Series Best Ski Jib Crew
1st – SSV Crew
• Andy Bennett
• Mike Nur
• James Woods
• Richard Martin
• Andrew Longley
2nd – Snoop a Loop Crew
• Paddy Graham
• Andy Collin
• Eddie Thelwell
• Mike Wakefield
• Ted Foster
Orange AIM Series Best Snowboard Jib Crew
1st – ATV Crew
• Stu Edwards
• Matt Neilson
• Steve Revill
• Paul Rennie
• Aly McMoreland
2nd – TSA Crew
• Matt Lee
• JP Challinor
• James Thorne
• Stu Edwards
• James Carr
3rd – Luv Pumps Crew
• Ben McHugh
• Ollie Plumley
• Mike Austin
• Ryan Evans
• Dan Deacon
4th – Ride Snowboard Team Crew
• Tyler Chorlton
• Chris Chatt
• Sam Cullum
• Laura Berry
5th – Girl Crew
• Amy Rudman
• Posy Dixon
• Laura Hill
• Shelley Jones
• Claire Frost
The Orange Aim Series would like to thank its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origins, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
“To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short” - Confuscius 551Bc-479BC (Posted Saturday, October 8, 2005 by stu)
[Review by a competitor]
Orange Aim Series National Big Air Championships
It is 3.26 in the morning and I am laying their just thinking what have I done, it must be a dream, surely I am not going to do what I think I am. I cannot believe this was my idea, who am I fooling I am not 18 anymore. I cannot afford to break anything in my line of work. I know, I will go for a quick 5-mile run and try and burn off some of this nervous energy.
The same day. The Orange Aim Series national Big Air Championships at Dorset Snowsport Centre AKA Warmwell.
(Left: Darren on the right with fellow master Paul)After spending twenty minutes convincing my daughter that she will be fine going over the jumps, it was my turn for the kicker and quarter pipe combination competition. This is just like racing, butterflies eating through my insides with vigour. Drop in, too fast, check my speed before the transition point and off the kicker I go, s**t, I am so high I can see the sea from here, start to rotate, oh my God I am going backwards, I had better land this as I forgot to pay my life insurance premium this month. Here it comes; bang I landed a textbook 360. Well I thought it was. Skis back in line, I am going like a rocket, hit the kicker fly through the air like an overweight pigeon, rotate and land with the grace of a fully loaded 747, well it felt like it.
Time for the National Big Air competition. Everyone telling me I can get more speed on the take off, who am I kidding I was going like a rocket as it was.
Okay, more speed, hit the transition, pop of the kicker, start to rotate, what’s that noise, I can hear my heart punping, everything has slowed down and I am up for so long if I had an internet phone I could do my weekly shopping.. Time to think, time to land, cool,(I mean sick) safe, pumped and punching the air. This old git just pulled a 360 of the kicker and maybe there was not much style but hell I did it.
We took 13 from Christchurch Ski Racers, with only one ever having competed before, we walked away with 11 medals and hundreds of pounds worth of prizes, but most of all smiles from ear to ear and personal bests from everyone, awesome. The riders excelled all day landing inverts, rotations, fakeys and some serious big air but when I asked a friend if I went as high as the big air winner, I cannot understand why he laughed at me.
For me personally, it was nice to still be able to do sick (in word I have been told) jumps, but seeing all my racers turn freestylers and excel and enjoy was the greatest. Truth be told my daughter Kirsty hit bigger air than me (2nd) and my son George (3rd) beating one of the Salomon team members even though they sponsor him as well. Definitely gave me, as I have been told proud father pigeon chest syndrome. Well done to all XC Racers Luke Potts (Salomon), Alex Bimpson, Daryl Ball (Line), Ben Jenkins, Colette Carpenter (Salomon), Josh Cornish, Helen Moore, Kirsty Schmidt(Salomon), Chester Elliott, George Schmidt (Salomon), Lewis Cluett, Lewis Moore.
Well done to the Orange Aim Series and Warmwell for a fantastic day and for holding a competition that embraces all, pros and first timers. Thanks.
The irony of this scenario, is that all these racers learned freestyle through snowblades. For those of us who did pull off 360`s on skis, well we learnt first on snowblades. Yet the 20`s generation of freestylers also learnt on snowblades, but now we are being told it is not cool (a word my daughter has told me I am too old to be using). If it had not been for snowblades I would not have learnt to pull a 360 at the age of 34.
So where is the next generation of freestylers going to come from?
Due to this blindness, next year I am looking to hold an exhibition/competition with top riders who learnt on snowblades to demo freestyle skiing (don’t worry boys, I don’t expect you to go back on blades), while others will be introducing skiers to freestyle with blades. I already have support from certain areas but anyone interested in helping please contact me at dms25@btinternet.com.
Darren Schmidt (38)
Orange AIM Series finished on a Big Air high (Posted Wednesday, October 5, 2005 by jennyahnell)
Warmwell concludes the Orange AIM National Snowboard and Ski series 2005
The first national championship at Dorset Snowsport Centre was a huge success with over 100 competitors over Saturday and Sunday 1st – 2nd October 2005. Both the snowboarders and skiers put on some great performances, pushing each other further and further to the entertainment of the much supportive crowd of spectators.
SNOWBOARDING, Sat 1st October
Saturdays snowboard competition saw a wide age range of competitors pushing the limits and showing that you can never be too old or young to impress the judges! In the kids category 9 year old Katie Ormerod (Brighouse) became the youngest girl to perform a 360 rotation over the big jump, and old skool riders Pat Meurier (Watford) and Mark Hartley (Sheffield) in the masters (30+) were spinning 540’s and 720’s with amazing height and precision.
A fun quaterpipe combo competition started the day’s events with riders linking tricks over the big air jump and the quaterpipe at the bottom. The ladies set the standard with winner Mollie Percival doing a big backside 360 tail grab over the jump into an air to fakie in the quarter pipe. Mollie was closely followed by Posy Dixon who first performed a smooth backside 360 followed by a backside air. Third place went to Claire Frost with a cheeky shifty over the jump and a huge backside air with a lein grab in the quaterpipe. In the men’s combo competition technical trick’s were being linked together well, including mc twists and huge airs out if the quarterpipe. First place went to wonder boy Sam Cullum with a switch backside 540 stale fish over the jump and a huge mc twist in the quarterpipe. Thirteen year old Jamie Nicholls took second with a smooth backside 720 to backside 360 and third went to James McElvaney who impressed with big half cab to mc twist in the quarterpipe.
The afternoon was all about Big Airs and winning the prestigious champion’s title. In the women’s competition the standard was the highest all series. New comer Claire Frost qualified first into the final with the first perfect 540 in an AIM Series women’s competition but lost points in the final as she did not land her two jumps. Instead it was four times dryslope Big Air champion Mollie Percival who claimed another title with a huge backside 360 tail grab that she landed effortlessly. Second place went to Posy Dixon with a cleanly landed backside 360 indy grab and local rider Jo Chastney performed a stylish shifty backside 180 taking third. In he men’s competition it was a close final as the riders pushed each other to go bigger and better. Riding strong all day Sam Cullum proved to be worthy to the title with a perfectly landed switch backside 540 mute grab in his first run followed by a corked stylish 720 in his second. A very happy Mathew Gibson took second after he landed the corked backside 720 nose grab he had tried all day. Third place went to Craig Howie who, out of the blue, stepped up to his opponents and pulled out a corked 900 in his final run.
SKIING, Sunday 2nd October
Though the wide age range continued in the Sunday’s ski competition it was the younger skiers who quickly set the pace of the day. Through out the day it was a close battle between the two next big stars of freestyle skiing James Webb (16) and James Woods (13). Woods took home the Quarterpipe combo with a run of switch 720 into an alley-oop cross, just beating Webb with his 900 rotation over the jump followed by a turn down in the quarterpipe. Third place was awarded to Richard Martin who was one of the highest out of the quarterpipe, with a run of Misty Flip over the jump to 180 stall 180 out in the quarter. In the afternoon’s Big Air championship final it was James Webb who was the more talented with his continuity of strong 720’s and 900’s that positioned him ahead of Richard Martin’s Misty 540 and flair backflip 180. Charlie Richards finished third with his switch flair. James Woods who in practice was doing switch 900’s missed out in the Big Air after hurting his arm just as the competition kicked off.
In the girls competition it was another two victories for one of freestyle skiing’s leading lady. Shelley Jones, Congleton pulled a strong 360 mute over the jump then a high clean safety in the quarterpipe. Second was Faith Dyer from Bristol who sketched the landing of her 360 but picked it up for a good straight air in the quarter and Ellie Birch finished third with a 180 over the jump. Taking home her champion’s title Shelley Jones executed a smooth 360 in the Big Air to the cheers of the crowd. Second place went to Ellie Birch’s strong straight airs that just beat Colette Carpenter’s stylish 180.
RESULTS
Snowboarding Men's QP Combo
1) Sam Cullum, Bracknell
2) Jamie Nicholls, Bradford
3) James McElvaney, Chesterfield
Snowboarding Men's Big Air Championships
1) Sam Cullum, Bracknell
2) Matthew Gibson, Sheffield
3) Craig Howie, Edinburgh
Snowboarding Women's QP Combo
1) Mollie Percival, Bury
2) Posy Dixon, London
3) Claire Frost, Aberdeen
Snowboarding Women's Big Air Championships
1) Mollie Percival, Bury
2) Posy Dixon, London
3) Joanna Chastney, Christchurch
Skiing Men's QP Combo
1) James Woods, Sheffield
2) James Webb, Bracknell
3) Richard Martin, Sheffield
Skiing Men's Big Air Championships
1) James Webb, Wokingham
2) Richard Martin, Sheffield
3) Charlie Richards, Sheffield
Skiing Women's QP Combo
1) Shelley Jones, Congleton
2) Faith Dyer, Bristol
3) Ellie Birch, Maidenhead
Skiing Women's Big Air Championships
1) Shelley Jones, Congleton
2) Ellie Birch, Maidenhead
3) Colette Carpenter,
Next event on the calendar is the Orange AIM Series Best of British invitational at the Daily Mail ski show at London's Olympia the 14th October.... don't miss the only chance to see UK's top snowboarders and skiers all together under one roof!
More info on www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origins, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
Video footage online from Rossendale event (Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2005 by stu)
Checkout http://www.aimseries.com/0506/rossendale/general.htm
for the Knox Clans 4.5min review of the Orange AIM Series event at Rossendale the other weekend.
Warmwell concludes the Orange AIM National Snowboard and Ski series (Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2005 by jennyahnell)
The UK’s top snowboarders and freestyle skiers descend on the Dorset Snowsport Centre for the first time. Taking place on 1st and 2nd October 2005, riders and skiers are taking on the Orange AIM Series British Artificial Big Air Championships.
Dorset Snowsport Centre, AKA Warmwell to the locals, is a brand new Snowflex slope offering a 5m long, 1.5m high Big Air jump bad boy. After some pretty impressive performances in Rossendale the other weekend judges and organisers are waiting in anticipation for this week’s action. Will anyone beat the little men with big talent – Jamie Nichols’ and Murray Buchan’s 900?
Prior to the Championships on both days, a Slopestyle competition will take place as a warm-up to the main event. The course designed by in-house course supreme Mr Claridge, will be a QP (quarterpipe) combo of the Red Bull stair box and the slope’s rainbow and up-flat-down rails. Finishing off Saturday’s snowboard competitions, the Red Bull Jibber of the Day event offers the all-important ticket to ride at the Red Bull Rail Storm event in London November 20th. So far Ben McHugh and Stu Edwards have won two out of three places in the Orange AIM Series Rookie Team. Who will join them?
The Animal Snowboard Academy and the Trespass Ski Academy are also running free one-hour snowboard or ski lessons with a qualified instructor on the Dorset nursery slope. The initiative to increase participation and promote local facilities is open for all ages. The Dorset Snowsport Centre kindly supplies equipment and all participants get a complimentary goody bag. For more information check out www.orangeaimseries.com.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE SNOWBOARD
9-10am : Registration
10am : QP Combo Practice
11am : QP Combo Start (Big Air & Quarter Pipe combo, Rail tbc)
1pm : Big Air Practice
2pm : Big Air Start (NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)
4 - 4.30pm : Quarter Pipe Jam Session (Highest Air, Best Trick)
4.30 - 5.15pm : Big Air Finals
5.15 - 6pm : Red Bull JIBBER OF THE DAY
6pm : Prize Giving
COMPETITION SCHEDULE SKI
9-10am : Registration
10am : QP Combo Practice
11am : QP Combo Start (Big Air & Quarter Pipe combo, Rail tbc)
12.30pm : Big Air Practice
1.30pm : Big Air Start (NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)
3 - 3.30pm : Quarter Pipe Jam Session (Highest Air, Best Trick)
3.30 - 4pm : Big Air Finals
4pm : Prize Giving
The competition is based on open entry for all performance levels and competitors compete in specified age categories. Helmets are obligatory for all under 16. Some of UK’s top snowsport athletes and Olympic hopefuls have developed through the Orange AIM Series and over 4,000 beginners have tried snowboarding and skiing through the free lesson initiative over the last three year’s.
Orange will continue its search to find four amateur snowboarders to form the Orange Talk Now Team who will be coached by British rider Jenny Jones and will subsequently appear on the professional circuit.
The search started in Milton Keynes on the 20th August with a panel of selectors attending each of the Orange AIM Series events up until October when the team will be announced.
The team’s first appearance will be at the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show in London in October, followed by a training camp in the Alps with Jenny Jones, internationally ranked in the top 20. Jenny will continue to coach and mentor the team in preparation for them to compete against UK’s best riders at the Orange Brits, in Laax, Switzerland, from 11th-18th March 2006.
To find out more about the Orange AIM Series events and free lessons check out www.orangeaimseries.com.
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origins, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
Boarder/ Skiercross Championships at Rossendale (Posted Thursday, September 22, 2005 by jennyahnell)
THE FEARLESS TOOK ON THE DENDIX BOARDER/ SKIERCROSS COURSE WHILST THE YOUNG GUNS RULED THE BIG AIR.
19 September 2005 – The Orange AIM Series Championships at Ski Rossendale over the weekend (17 – 18 September) was one of the best this year! While 180 FREE snowboard and ski lessons were exploit on the nursery slope the competition atmosphere was amazing during both days as both riders and skiers pulled out all stops to impress the judges.
Snowboarding
With a start field of 50 snowboarders from across the country it was set to be a great day for competition. The morning started with the National dryslope Boardercross Championships. The course that started with whoop-rollers into the first turn was short but fast. In the women’s competition Mollie Percival met competition from Samantha Rogers and young newcomer Holly Aired but managed to defend her title as Boardercross Champion. In the men’s final it was a much closer battle. After commotion at the top leaving Matthew Gibson and Harry Kingsley-Jones on the floor, the race was on between Scotland’s Michael Bates and Sheffield’s Peter Helliwell. Through the very last gate Bates, a seasoned alpine racer, picked a tighter line through the turn passing Helliwell as he sped into the finish and yet another Boardercross title. Gibson got in third just before Kingsley-Jones.
Moving on to the afternoon’s Big Air competition, the high standard of riding soon set the pace. Tom Percival stood out with the biggest airs all day as did young rider Zach Culshaw who qualified highest into the final. Colum Mytton received the biggest cheer of the day when he in a friendly Jam Session managed to pass his helmet between his legs as he performed a perfect backflip – a true showman trick! The competition was later won by young Jamie Nichols (13 yrs old) who stunned judges as he landed a super clean backside 900. Second place went to Daniel Gosling for a nice and smooth backside rodeo and Percival finished third with his corked backside 7 mute. In the women’s competition four times Dryslope Big Air Champion and British Champion 2004, Mollie Percival was unbeatable. Trying 7’s all day she finally stole the show with her solid backside 360 tailgrab, taking home another first place before Samantha Rogers’ half cab and Gemma Marshall’s frontside 180.
Skiing
The Sunday ski competition attracted 60 entrants, the highest number at an AIM Series dryslope event since skiing was introduced in 2003. With a thriving scene in and around Yorkshire and Lancashire spectators were not disappointed as they watched the competitions unfold. The Skiercross Championships were, like the day before, a fast competition with heats of four. The girls had some good races with some shuffling and commotion going into the first turn. Strongest out at the end was Emma Lonsdale, reigning champion, closely followed by Shelley Jones and Sheffield’s new lady Kate Williams. In the men’s Championships ex European Moguls Challenge Champion Pat Sharples had experience on his side as he showed the younger skiers a thing or two. Charging down the course he fought of favourite Andy Bennett and left Simon Bates third.
The sun came out just in time for the skiers to hit the jump in the afternoon. Again, the standard was really high and both judges and spectators were treated to some extravagant performances. The girls showed how far they have progressed in the last year with them all throwing down 360 rotations. Going highest and coming in switch, it was Shelley Jones who took the first place within margins ahead of Emma Lonsdale’s 360 safety and Kate Williams clean 3. In the men’s final the judges had a tough job. One after another the finalists executed perfect 540 and 720 rotations which were all high and clean, but it was the younger generation that showed off again. For his second jump and out of nowhere Murray Buchan, 13 laid down a smooth switch 900 to the astonishment of the crowd and judges. Andy Bennett was not far behind with his 540 rodeo and cab 720 and James Woods deserved his third place with a switch 7. 
RESULTS
SNOWBOARDING
Boardercross Men
1) Michael Bates, Edinburgh
2) Peter Helliwell, Sheffield
3) Matthew Gibson, Sheffield
Big Air Men
1) Jamie Nichols, Bradford
2) Daniel Gosling, Sheffield
3) Tom Percival, Bury
Boardercross Women
1) Mollie Percival, Bury
2) Samantha Rogers, Reading
3) Holly Aired, Edinburgh
Big Air Women
1) Mollie Percival, Bury
2) Samantha Rogers, Reading
3) Gemma Marshall, Sheffield
SKIING
Skiercross Men
1) Pat Sharples, Blackpool
2) Andy Bennett, Sheffield
3) Simon Bates, Edinburgh
Big Air Men
1) Murray Buchan, Edinburgh
2) Andy Bennett, Sheffield
3) James Woods, Sheffield
Skiercross Women
1) Emma Lonsdale, Settle
2) Shelley Jones, Congelton
3) Kate Williams, Sheffield
Big Air Women
1) Shelley Jones, Congelton
2) Emma Lonsdale, Settle
3) Kate Williams, Sheffield
To find out more about the Orange AIM Series events and full results check out www.orangeaimseries.com.
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origins, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
Full list of results and pictures can be found here and shortly the video will also be added
RAIL STORM BREWING FOR WINTER (Posted Wednesday, September 21, 2005 by stu)
Red Bull Rail Storm, London - 20th November 2005
It’s back, it’s bigger than ever, and this time, it’s coming to London’s Trafalgar Square, on 20th November. Red Bull Rail Storm is an urban snowboarding rail contest, bringing 36 snowboarders, some 8,000 spectators and real snow to the capital for this awesome free ticketed event!
Building on its successful debut in Scotland last year, Red Bull Rail Storm will see 33 of the world’s best and three amateur rail riders, as they take on the urban terrain, including a giant staircase, three rails and curved boxes – in a battle for first place and a share of the £30,000 prize purse!
With the UK being piped to first place by the Swiss last year, will the Brits be able to bring home the title this year - will the Americans be back with a vengeance with their all new team, or will the all star girl team give the men a run for their money?! To find out you’ve got to be there – you can apply for tickets online at www.redbullrailstorm.co.uk from 1st November (available until 13th).
Each team will consist of three ‘pro’ riders, in addition to a UK rookie team (selected through the Orange AIM Series) and for the very first time, an ‘All Star’ girl team including Cheryl Mass from the Netherlands.
Amongst competing riders, spectators can look forward to some epic riding from; Mattieu Crepel (FRA), Ton-Ton Holland (SUI), Heikki Sorsa (FIN), Hannes Metzler (AUT), Eddie Wall (USA) and representing the UK, will be Scott McMorris, Tyler Chorlton and James Thorne.
Meanwhile, places for the UK Rookie team have been hotly contested at the Orange AIM Series ‘Red Bull Jibber of the Day’ events. Ben Mchugh took the first spot at Milton Keynes, whilst James Thorne secured his place in Castleford, with runner up Stu Edwards stepping up to represent the UK Rookies. Expect the final qualifier, at Warmwell on 1st October,t to attract the cream of British snowboarding talent, as riders battle for the final place to represent their country.
Bringing an international flavour of talent to London, over 10 countries will be represented in this event, including: UK, USA, Austria, Finland, France Germany, Holland, Iceland, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Commenting on his win last year, Swiss Captain ‘Ton Ton’ Holland said: “The event was fantastic, lots of surprises and first class riding - we were very honored to have won.”
Rail riding is a particular discipline of snowboarding that requires extreme technical skill, precision and control as boarders negotiate steel rails and other unique objects.
Red Bull is working with The Mayor of London, Oakley, Snowboard Club UK and Method Magazine to bring this exclusive free event to London.
Hi-De-Hi campers, have we got a treat for you! (Posted Wednesday, September 21, 2005 by stu)
Tighten that knotted handkerchief, and get that wind-break secure as we present the blue ribbon event of the Orange AIM Series, the ‘British Big Air Championships 2005’, held for the very first time at the brand-spanking new, Dorset Snowsport Centre, within Warmwell Holiday Park.
The moment every dryslope ripper has been waiting for all year, held for the first time on a Southern dryslope, the Big Air Championships will draw the revered Northern forces to test their mettle against the countless local talented, yet undiscovered rippers… It’s pure ‘Rocky’ in the making
Set on a real-life holiday park in acres of woodland, complete with Live cabaret (cheese-tastic), Mini ten-pin bowling, Roller rink, Pool tables, Crazy golf & an Indoor pool with flume and wave machine (yes way), and knowing what kids most of you lot are, I truly believe that this event has all the markings of an absolute classic.
Having watched a flawless back-side 900, and switch 900 take top honours (in snowboarding and skiing respectively) at the comparatively inconsequential Big Air comps at the Rossendale Orange AIM Series last weekend, It’s difficult to predict what will be required to take the National Championship honours… Oh, did I mention that both those winners were from the under 13 category… Unreal!!!
And don’t forget, it’s the last chance for a snowboarder to win the final Red Bull Jibber of the Day comp, and lay claim to the last remaining spot on the UK amateur team that will compete against the 12 finest jib Nations in the world, in the centre of Trafalgar Square on 20th November. 12,000 screaming fans, the World’s best riders, and the Nation’s media… one for the grandchildren that!
And well well well, what a turn up for the books… the Rossendale event, for the very first time in AIM Series history, saw the freestyle skiers turn out in stronger force than the snowboarders. It’s unthinkable I know, which is why the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down with a planned compendium of boarder v’s skier duels to be settled over the weekend. Expect head-to-head karaoke, ten-pin bowling, synchronised roller-skating, a pool tournament & arm wrestling.
If you’ve never experienced a dryslope event before, do not miss this opportunity to witness an inspiring display of aerial trickery from the UK’s leading freestyle talent, and an atmosphere you’ll do well to beat at a festival. It’s gonna rock!
With prices starting at £37.50 each for 3 nights accommodation (£12.50 a night), there’s no excuse not to make a weekend of it; celebrate the close of a wicked year’s Orange AIM Series, and a chance to embarrass those bloody skiers!
Book now at Parkdean holidays or miss out on the snow event of the year, no question!
http://www.orangeaimseries.com
Orange AIM Series bring UK’s freestyle elite to the Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show. (Posted Thursday, September 15, 2005 by stu)
UK’s snowboard and freestyle ski elite will be showcasing fearless action as the Orange AIM Series presents the Best of British Big Air invitational contest and the Best Jib Crew Challenge at this year’s Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show at the Grand Hall, Olympia 12 – 16 October.
Taking over the 15 meter real snow Big Air jump in the Live Action Arena on Friday 14th October 2005, The Orange AIM Series Best of British is returning this year to please further freestyle hungry spectators. Twelve of Britain’s top snowboarders and eight skiers, among them British Champions and Olympic hopefuls, will pull out all stops to go higher, bigger and better in the race for the Best of British title. Through the afternoon qualifying event only the top half highest scores will go through to the evening final. In last year’s event the snowboarders threw down 720 rotations and freestyle ski super star Mike Wakefield was the first Brit to pull a full d-spin 900 rotation in a UK event – so there’s no doubt the sickest British Big Air battle of the year will be the highlight of the ski show week!
Confirmed snowboarders are:Scott McMorris
Tyler Chorlton
Dom Harington
Stu Edwards
Ed Gunn
Mike Austin
Sam Cullum
Ryan Davis
Adam Gendle
Josh Wolf
Jamie Nicholls
Mollie Percival
Confirmed skiers are: Andy Bennett
Mike Wakefield
Brad Scott
Paddy Graham
Murray Buchan
Tom Last
Andrew Colin
Eddie Thelwell
Jamie Cameron
James Woods
Over in The Boardroom the centre piece is the 20 square meter grind rail area with a 5.5 meter straight box rail and a five meter rollercoaster box. This is the place where UK’s hottest jibbers will battle it out in the Orange AIM Series Best Jib Crew challenge. Five snowboard and two freestyle ski crews, handpicked through a nationwide search, will dazzle the crowds with their technical talent in five daily competitions. With five members in each crew they all have one day to score as many points possible for their crew. At the end of the show UK’s Best Jib Crew with most points will win the honourable title. As the most preferred freestyle discipline among UK’s snowboarders and freestyle skiers this will be a show with attitude, precision and bags of style!
The show will also see the first public appearance of the Orange Talk Now snowboard team. The team comprises four amateur snowboarders, spotted at the Orange AIM Series events in the summer, who have been signed to ride for six months. Coached and mentored by Jenny Jones, the team will be competing later in the season at the Orange Brits in the Alps in March 2006.
For tickets to the The 2005 Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show, including the Orange AIM Series Best of British and Best Jib Crew, buy online www.dailymailskishow.co.uk or call 08705 900 090. Advanced weekday tickets starts from £9.00 for Adults and £27 for Family.
National Championships at Ski Rossendale (Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2005 by jennyahnell)
Rossendale premiere for the Orange AIM national Snowboard and Ski series
The Orange AIM Series is visiting Ski Rossendale for the first time this weekend as the British Artificial Boarder/ Skiercross Championships 2005 takes place, 17 – 18 September. As some of UK’s top dryslope riders prepare their boards and skis for the head to head battle, the nursery slope is getting ready for the 200 FREE public beginner lessons.
Competing against the clock fellow opponent’s skiers and snowboarders will race in heats of four down a challenging course, maintaining control and strength over bumps, tight turns, rollers and jumps. The, for the event, purpose built course will test reactions of the most competent of competitors. A more relaxed Big Air competition will follow for some afternoon fun!
As the home of some of UK’s snowboard pioneers such as Steve Bailey and Stuart Brass, Ski Rossendale has a thriving freestyle scene. More recent stars are Mollie Percival from Bury, who took second place in both Big Air and Slopestyle at this year’s British Championships and Colum Mytton, Todmorden, is one of the up and coming snowboarders boasting with talent. Skier Jan Buczynski can also be seen from time to time, showing off his big bag of tricks.
The Animal Snowboard Academy and the Trespass Ski Academy offer the public 200 FREE one hour snowboard or ski lessons with a qualified instructor on the Rossendale nursery slope. The initiative to increase participation and promote local facilities is open for ages six and above. Saturday 17th September it is all about snowboarding between 10am - 5pm whilst on Sunday 18th September skiing takes over between 12pm – 4pm. Equipment is supplied by Rossendale and all participants get a goody bag. To secure a FREE lesson pre-register on: www.orangeaimseries.com or call 07843 209 846 from 16th September.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
17th September: Snowboard Competition
09.00 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 11.00 Boardercross Practice
11.00 – 12.30 Boardercross Competition
(National Championships)
12.30 – 17.00: Big Air Comp. (Final at 16.00)
17.00 Prize Giving
18th September: Ski Competition
09.00 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 11.00 Skiercross Practice
11.00 – 12.00 Skiercross Competition
(National Championships)
12.00 – 16.00: Big Air Comp. (Final at 15.00)
16.00 Prize Giving
The competition is based on open entry for all performance levels and competitors compete in age categories. Helmets are obligatory for all under 16. Some of UK’s top snowsport athletes and Olympic hopefuls have developed through the Orange AIM Series and over 4,000 beginners have tried snowboarding and skiing through the free lesson initiative over the last three year’s.
Orange will continue its search to find four amateur snowboarders to form the Orange Talk Now Team who will be coached by British rider Jenny Jones and will subsequently appear on the professional circuit.
The search started in Milton Keynes on the 20th August with a panel of selectors attending each of the Orange AIM Series events up until October when the team will be announced.
The team’s first appearance will be at the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show in London in October, followed by a training camp in the Alps with Jenny Jones, internationally ranked in the top 20. Jenny will continue to coach and mentor the team in preparation for them to compete against UK’s best riders at the Orange Brits, in Laax, Switzerland, from 11th-18th March 2006.
To find out more about the Orange AIM Series events and free lessons check out www.orangeaimseries.com.
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origins, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
- ENDS -
Orange AIM Series - Castleford videos/ pictures/ results etc (Posted Monday, September 12, 2005 by stu)
Its all online...
http://www.aimseries.com/0506/castleford/general.htm
(Videos by the Knox Brothers, Pictures by Jools Smith)
Red Bull Jibber of the Day - Winners 1 & 2 (Posted Wednesday, September 7, 2005 by stu)
Well as Red Bull have now announced the go ahead for the Red Bull Rail Storm in Trafalgar Square on the 20th November, we at the Orange AIM Series can proudly annouce that 2 of the 3 members for the UK Rookie team are Ben McHugh and James Thorne.
Ben qualified at the Milton Keynes event during the Red Bull Jibber of the Day session on the 6m Staircase with a 450 on and 270 off.
James qualified at the Castleford event last weekend with a 270 on and 270 off along with a bag full of other tricks.
To make the team complete, another UK rider will be selected in the Red Bull Jibber of the Day session from the Orange AIM Series event at Warmwell dryslope in Dorset on the 1st October.
These tickets to ride in Trafalgar Square are an absolute privilage, I mean how often do you get to ride in the middle of Trafalgar Square in front of 12,000 people!
Castleford Orange AIM Series (Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2005 by joannebrown)
Local Talent Ruled At Castleford’s Slopestyle Championships
The Orange AIM Series took over the Castleford Xscape on Saturday 3rd September 2005 to present the British Indoor Slopestyle Championships. Local competitors were keen to impress, throwing down the gauntlet through the qualifications and making the final cut to clinch top positions for the overall titles. Competitors were stoked with the course designed by Xscape’s own Park Manager Damian Doyle, pushing the standard for both men’s and women’s even further. Alongside the more experienced talent, eager beginners were offered the chance to try out ski and snowboard sessions for themselves, courtesy of the 125 Trespass and Animal Academy free lessons.
Skiing
The skiers kicked off the day’s competition, sampling the amazing slopestyle course. Expectation grew as skiers threw down technical runs, with the likes of Ross Burnell using the course to its full potential and being the only skier to misty flip over the bottom spine feature. One to watch, 7-year-old Jake Terry from Bucks slid the entire 10m rail and went on to grind the A-Frame. In the Men’s final, it was a battle between local skiers Mike Wakefield and Andrew Collins placing first and second respectively. Mike’s winning run consisted of a switch on, 270 out on the top rail, blind side switch up on the A-Frame, a 180 on 180 off on the box rail and a 180 over the spine. Ross Daniels completed the podium spot with third place. Xscape’s Best Unsponsored Male went to 16-year-old Charles Smith from Stoke-on-Trent.
In the women’s category, Shelley Jones secured first place, hitting the top rails with smooth precision, with a grind to switch over the box and a rock-to-fakie on the spine. 13-year-old Amber Connors took second place after riding consistently throughout the day, also picking up Xscape’s Best Unsponsored Female, whilst third position went to Amy Rudman with a grind down the stair rail and over the box rails.
Results
MEN
1st – Mike Wakefield, Hemsworth
2nd – Andrew Collins, Castleford
3rd – Ross Daniels, Stoke on Trent
WOMEN
1st – Shelley Jones, Stoke on Trent
2nd - Amber Connors, Milton Keynes
3rd – Amy Rudman, Leeds
Snowboarding
The afternoon opened up the field for the boarders, with a record number of girls taking part, with comments of praise past at the bar about the high standard of riding amongst the ladies. Local rider Laura Hill, who is completely fresh to the competition circuit, qualified with more points than many male contemporaries and continued to dominate the women’s final, winning first place and title of Women’s Slopestyle Champion with a stylish tail press on the top rail and a grind to gap to boardslide on the A-Frame. She was also awarded the honour of Salomon Best Unsponsored Female. Second place went to fellow Leeds local Caroline Sheehan with a switch boardslide to regular on the top rail and 50:50 over the A-Frame rail. Third went to Claire Frost with a nose slide to fakie on the top rail and 50:50 to boardslide along the A-Frame.
The men’s comp was close. Sheffield local Stu Edwards was on form, combining matchless ability and style on the day, crowning him Men’s Slopestyle Champion, with a smooth final run that included a switch boardslide on the top rail, a switch lipslide 270 out on the stair rail to a half cab to tail press on the box. Following closely were AIM Series regular Sam Cullum, who took second with a technical run spinning onto and off the rails and little boy wonder 12-year-old Jamie Nichols who’s natural talent and ability nailed a switch 50:50 to half cab to 50:50 along the A-Frame, placing third. Salomon’s Best Unsponsored Male went to Milton Keynes rider Paul Rennie who finished a respectable 9th overall.
Results
MEN
1st – Stu Edwards, Sheffield
2nd – Sam Cullum, Bracknell
3rd – Jamie Nicholls, Halifax
WOMEN
1st – Laura Hill, Leeds
2nd – Caroline Sheehan, Leeds
3rd – Claire Frost, Aberdeen
The Red Bull Jibber of the Day contest won by James Thorne. He was consistantely landing cab 270 on 270 off's the stair rail.The jam style session took place between the qualifiers and finals, and saw course designer Damion Doyle and wonderkid Jamie Nichols both throwing down switch backside lips, & boardslide pretzel outs, making judging a nightmare!
So, what’s next? Orange AIM Series hits Rossendale in the next stage, as the Artificial Boarder / Skiercross Championships take place on 17th and 18th September 2005. For more info check out: www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origin, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
All pictures, results and video online...
Orange AIM Series - Milton Keynes videos (Posted Friday, September 2, 2005 by stu)
3 new movies added to this page from the Milton Keynes event
http://www.aimseries.com/0506/miltonkeynes/general.htm
Slopestyle Championships Return to Castleford (Posted Friday, August 26, 2005 by joannebrown)
The Orange AIM Series Slopestyle Championships Return to Castleford Xscape
Saturday 3rd September 2005 sees the Orange AIM Series competition circuit returning to Castleford’s Xscape for the British Indoor Slopestyle Championships. 125 FREE beginner lessons are also up for grabs for those to get stuck in and give it a go.
Competing in Slopestyle on Saturday, Multiple British Freestyle Ski Champion and Hemsworth local, Mike Wakefield who works and trains at Xscape will be a definitive contender for the title of Slopestyle Champion, but up against stiff competition from the likes of Sheffield lad Paddy Graham and Andy Bennett, it’s all open on the day. No bookies bets here, but Sam Cullum who won the Slopestyle jam at Milton Keynes on 20th August could be looking to snatch the Indoor title, alongside slopestyle king Stu Edwards and not forgetting young ripper Jamie Nicholls, who gave the more senior riders a run for their money by claiming the Artificial Slopestyle title back in Bracknell. Local rider Damian Doyle will know the course better than many, having designed the jib heaven layout that includes a fun single then double picnic bench line, finishing with a gapped spine ramp with Transco coping. For full course layout, check out: www.orangeaimseries.com
REMEMBER ON-LINE PRE REGISTRATION ONLY!
Demand for the FREE beginner lessons so far in the series has been fantastic and they are back as the Animal Snowboard Academy and the Trespass Ski Academy offer 125 one hour snowboard or ski lessons with a qualified instructor on the Xscape nursery slope. The initiative to increase participation and promote local facilities is open for all ages between 12 (noon) and 4 pm on the day. Equipment is supplied by Castleford Xscape and all participants get a goody bag. To find out about FREE lessons for other series events, pre-register online:www.orangeaimseries.com
or call 07843 209 846.
Ski Competition Schedule:
09.00 – 10.00 Registration / Collection of Bibs
10.00 - 11.30 Slopestyle Practice
11.30 - 13.30 Slopestyle Finals
(NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)
13.30 – 14.00 Jam Session & spot prizes
14.00 - Prize giving
19.00 – After party in the bar
Snowboard Competition Schedule:
12.00 – 13.30 Registration / Collection of Bibs
13.30 –18.00 Slopestyle Practice
18.00 – 18.30 Red Bull Jibber Of The Day
18.30 – 19.00 Slopestyle Finals
(NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)
19.00 - Prize Giving
Followed by After party in the bar
The competition is based on open entry for all performance levels and competitors compete in age categories. Helmets are obligatory for all under 16. Some of UK’s top snowsport athletes and Olympic hopefuls have developed through the Orange AIM Series and over 4,000 beginners have tried snowboarding and skiing through the free lesson initiative over the last three year’s.
Orange will continue it’s search to find four amateur snowboarders to form the Orange Talk Now Team who will be coached by British rider Jenny Jones and will subsequently appear on the professional circuit.
A panel of selectors will be attending each of the Orange AIM Series events and will be announcing the team in October. Their search started in Milton Keynes on Saturday 20th August 2005 and judging by the array of talent on display, the assignment will be a difficult one.
Once selected the team will first participate in the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show in London in October. Following the show the team will head off to the Alps for a training camp with Jenny Jones, one of the world’s highest ranking professional female snowboarders. Jenny will continue to coach and mentor the team throughout the six months and on returning from the training camp, will be preparing them to compete against the best riders from the UK at the Orange Brits, in Laax, Switzerland, from 11th-18th March 2006.
To find out more about all the Orange AIM Series events and free lessons check out:www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer, Origins, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Natives.co.uk.
Orange AIM Series Boarder / Skiercross Championships (Posted Tuesday, August 23, 2005 by joannebrown)
Orange AIM Series Boarder/ Skiercross Championships at Xscape
The Orange AIM Series Indoor Boarder / Skiercross Championships took over Milton Keynes Xscape on Saturday 20th March 2005 with a record number of competitors. Taking on the purpose built course it was a fast race for the title. Over on the nursery slope the pace was a little slower as 125 beginners took advantage of the Animal and Trespass Academy free lessons.
Skiing
The Skiercross Championships started off a busy day with over 80 skiers going through the start gates in heats of four. The competitiveness was apparent as the heats got more aggressive leaving eliminated competitors nursing their bruises. In the Men’s final there was a tussle out of the gates leaving Simon Bates and Pat Sharples in front. Recovering from his late start Angus Morison clawed his way back into the race overtaking Sharples in the last turn with the title in sight, but couldn’t quite overtake Bates who took first, leaving Angus in close second and Pat behind in third. In the women’s competition Emily Sarsfield charged into the lead to take home the women’s title leaving a battle for second place between Zoe Norton and Lauren Merryfield, who finished second and third respectively.
The ski competition continued with a Slopestyle Jam Session packed with smooth tricks by some of UK’s top skiers. Mike Wakefield went for a brave 450 rotation onto the straight box rail but sketched his landing to place second after local skier Ted Foster. Foster charged down the course gapping the double kinked rail at the top, going on to switch 270 on 270 off the straight box rail, attacking everything with confidence and speed. Third place was awarded to Andy Bennett after a unique run transferring between the top left to the top middle rail, to a smooth 720 rotation over the bottom box. In the women’s competition it was local newcomer, 13 year old Amber Connors, who stole the show. After winning the kids skiercross title she qualified into the senior women’s Slopestyle final taking second place just after ski queen Shelley Jones. Jones impressed with a switch grind down the top box, followed by a slow grind down the rainbow rail, stopping on the top just to shake her booty, before taking on the straight box to finish. Third place went to Lorna Carmichael.
Results
Men’s Skiercross
1st – Simon Bates, Edinburgh
2nd – Angus Morison, Glasgow
3rd – Pat Sharples, Lytham
Women’s Skiercross
1st – Emily Sarsfield, Durham
2nd – Zoe Norton, Edinburgh
3rd – Lauren Merryfield, West Sussex
Men’s Slopestyle
1st - Ted Foster, Milton Keynes
2nd – Mike Wakefield, Hemsworth
3rd – Andy Bennett, Sheffield
Women’s Slopestyle
1st – Shelley Jones, Cheshire
2nd – Amber Connors, Milton Keynes
3rd – Lorna Carmichael, Edinburgh
Snowboarding
The afternoon belonged to the snowboarders and in the men’s Boardercross final Hamish McKnight was the firm favourite after ruling in the qualifying rounds, but complacency got the better of him and he crashed halfway down the course leaving him with a suspected broken finger and fourth place. The Boardercross Championship title instead went to Harry Kingsley-Jones who had fallen in previous rounds, but managed to hold it together in the final. Stu Edwards finished second and Jonathan Solomon came in third. In the women’s Boardercross Championships the final ended up a head to head race between Posy Dixon and Alexa Hohenberg as two finalists pulled out, with Dixon proving the fastest down the course.
In the Slopestyle Jam Session it was rookie Claire Frost that stood out impressing judges and riders alike. After performing a technical run that consisted of a switch boardslide on the top rail, Frost cleaned the flat down rail with a boardslide to fakie taking home first place. In the men’s Jam Session favourite Sam Cullum took the title with his flawless runs consisting of a half cab 50-50 on the double kinked rail, gap to frontside noseslide on the battle ship (up along down) rail – quoted one of the best tricks of the day. Second place went to Ben McHugh who was gapping and spinning onto all the rails with consistent precision. Ryan Evans cleaned up in third with a tidy rail combination of switch backside 270 to boardslide on the top rail and switch frontside noseslide on straight box rail.
In the Red Bull Jibber of the day a rail session at the end of the day, McHugh stood out again claiming the title with his outstanding 450 on to 270 off on the straight box rail.
Results
Men’s Boardercross
1st – Harry Kingsley-Jones, Wiltshire
2nd – Stu Edwards, Sheffield
3rd – Jonathan Solomon, Stourbridge
Women’s Boardercross
1st – Posy Dixon, London
2nd – Alexa Hohenberg, Surrey
Men’s Slopestyle
1st – Sam Cullum, Bracknell
2nd – Ben McHugh, Glasgow
3rd – Ryan Evans, London
Women’s Slopestyle
1st – Claire Frost, Aberdeen
2nd – Posy Dixon, London
3rd – Jules Chappell, Leighton Buzzard
The event also saw the launch of Orange’s search to find four amateur snowboarders to form the Orange Talk Now Team who will be coached by British rider Jenny Jones and will subsequently appear on the professional circuit.
A panel of selectors will be attending each of the Orange AIM Series events and will be announcing the team in October. Their search started in Milton Keynes on Saturday and judging by the array of talent on display, the assignment will be a difficult one.
Once selected the team will first participate in the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show in London in October. Following the show the team will head off to the Alps for a training camp with Jenny Jones, one of the world’s highest ranking professional female snowboarders. Jenny will continue to coach and mentor the team throughout the six months and on returning from the training camp, will be preparing them to compete against the best riders from the UK at the Orange Brits, in Laax, Switzerland, from 11th-18th March 2006.
The next event on the Orange AIM Series Calendar is the Indoor Slopestyle Championships at Castleford, Xscape on Saturday 3rd September 2005. For more info check out: www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange AIM Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and media partners, Dark Summer and Origins.
Orange AIM Series - MK Results & Pictures (Posted Monday, August 22, 2005 by stu)
Results now online and here is a montage by Dopeshots.com, full gallery coming on Wednesday
over 30? think your hard? (Posted Friday, August 19, 2005 by stu)
Jeremy Sladen, TSA big wig has laid the gauntlet down in tomorrows Orange AIM Series - Masters Boarder X Championship at Milton Keynes.
10 spaces left to enter, but call stu on 07711 402209 to register
Left is a picture of Jeremy so you know who to take out on the course, he's on his knees here but he'll be back on knees after the event begging for mercy when his shop staff member Hamish Mcknight whips his ass...
Best of British - 5min 30sec video (Posted Thursday, August 18, 2005 by stu)
I've just uploaded a 5min 30sec Program broadcast on GEN:EX (Extreme Sports Channel) December 2004 courtesy of Sprout productions. It has loads of really good skiing and snowboard action from last years competition...check it out
Download 7.6mb .mov file or 8.5mb .wmv file
Also you can visit the page with all the information about the Orange AIM Series involvement with this years Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show by clicking here... www.aimseries.com/0506/london/general.htm
Best of British & Best Jib Crew competitions
3min video from Bracknell now online (Posted Friday, August 12, 2005 by stu)
review, pictures, VIDEO and results from last weekends first Orange AIM Series event.
http://www.aimseries.com/0506/bracknell/general.htm
Boarder & Skiercross Returns to MK (Posted Thursday, August 11, 2005 by joannebrown)
Boarder & Skiercross Returns to Milton Keynes
Its time to brush the dust of your helmet, restock the rub on wax and don the body armour as the indoor Boarder / Skiercross Championships return to Milton Keynes Xscape on Saturday 20th August 2005.
Racing against the clock and fellow opponent’s in heats of three or four, competitors will go head to head until the fastest indoor rider is left victorious. A relaxed slopestyle competition will follow with rider’s expressing individual style on Xscape’s selection of freestyle toys. In the skiercross local skier Alex Collin will no doubt pull out all stops to better his 3rd place from last year and representing the ATV crew local snowboarders Chris Chatt and Steve Revill and girl ripper Lucy Passmore will all be keen to impress. With local pro’s Laura Berry and James Carr filming in New Zealand the door is left wide open for aspiring champions to shine through and to bag the Salomon Best Un-sponsored title. REMEMBER, ON-LINE PRE REGISTRATION ONLY!
The Orange AIM Series has kept its wings from last year and is, again, teaming up with Red Bull for the prestigious Red Bull Jibber of the Day snowboard jam session. This one rail session will take place at the AIM events in Milton Keynes, Castleford and Warmwell after the official competitions. The talented winner at each Jibber of the Day session will win the exclusive golden ticket to ride at a 2005 International Red Bull event yet to be released…..
The very popular FREE beginner lessons are back as the Animal Snowboard Academy and the Trespass Ski Academy offer 125 one hour snowboard or ski lesson with a qualified instructor on the Xscape nursery slope. The initiative to increase participation and promote local facilities is open for all ages between 12 (noon) and 4 pm. Equipment is supplied by Milton Keynes Xscape and all participants get a goody bag. To secure a FREE lesson pre-register on: www.orangeaimseries.com before 18th August or call 07843 209 846 from the 19th August.
Ski Competition Schedule
09.00 – 10.00 Registration / Collection of Bibs
09.00 - 10.30 Skiercross Practice
10.30 - 11.30 Skiercross Finals (NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)
11.30 - 12.30 Ski Slopestyle Practice
12.30 – 14.00 Ski Slopestyle Competition
14.30 - 15.00 Prize Giving
Snowboarding Competition Schedule
10.30 – 12.15 Registration / Collection of Bibs
12.00 – 13.00 Boardercross Practise
13.00 – 14.00 Boardercross Finals (NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)
14.00 – 15.00 Women’s Slopestyle Competition
15.00 – 18.00 Men’s Slopestyle Competition
18.00 – 19.00 Red Bull JIBBER OF THE DAY
19.00 Prize Giving
The competition is based on open entry for all performance levels and competitors compete in age categories. Helmets are obligatory for all competitors.
To find out more about the Orange AIM Series events and free lessons check out www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham and magazine partners Dark Summer and Origin.
Young Talent Ruled At Slopestyle Championships (Posted Monday, August 8, 2005 by joannebrown)
Young Talent Ruled At Slopestyle Championships
8th August 2005 – The 2005 Orange AIM Series got off to a great start at the Bracknell Ski Centre over the weekend of 6th & 7th August 2005, attracting over 250 competitors and spectators for the British Artificial Slopestyle Championships. A further 100 locals also enjoyed the 125 FREE beginner lessons. The younger generation of competitors raised the bar in both disciplines giving the older and more experienced riders a run for their money.
Snowboard
Saturdays snowboard competition set the standard for the weekend with an amazing display of technical tricks and huge airs. 12 year old Jamie Nicholls broke the AIM Series record book for the youngest British Artificial Slopestyle Champion to date. With a stylish technical run that consisted of a 270 on 270 off box combination, a 540 tail grab and a double hand plant on the quarter pipe. Second place went to Wayne Taylor with his rail slide trickery, including his trade mark trick of the day noseslide / tailslide / noseslide on the flat box and half cab nose slide on the bottom rail. 16 year Richard Campbell who started snowboarding after the Orange AIM Series Schools tour visited his school two years ago came third with a smooth and stylish run, including a boardslide to fakie on the top rail going into a switch 180 over the jump. In the women’s competition the standard was high with rotations and rail combinations. Liz Osbourn came first with a boardslide to fakie on the kinked rail and a big clean 360 over the jump. Second went to Posy Dixon with her stylish jibbing skills and 360’s over the jump and third place went to local rider 15 year old Rebecca Cullum, hitting the big kinked rail and spinning 360’s off the smaller jump.
Richard Tyas, another Halifax local was mistakenly announced third in the men’s Slopestyle Championships at Saturday’s prize giving. The honour should have been awarded to Richard Campbell as Tyas finished fifth overall and second in the masters. The organiser’s apologise for the mishap and to all concerned.
The Orange AIM Series Results - Artificial Slopestyle Championships, Bracknell
Snowboard, Saturday 6th August 2005
MEN
1st – Jamie Nicholls, Halifax
2nd – Wayne Taylor, Halifax
3rd – Richard Campbell, Halifax
WOMEN
1st – Liz Osbourn,Wimbledon
2nd – Posy Dixon,London
3rd – Rebecca Cullum, Bracknell
Ski
The skiers bought the sunshine with them for Sunday’s competition along with bags of talent as technical runs were thrown down. Mike Wakefield took the title of Freestyle Ski Slopestyle Champion with 270 rotations on and off rails and a huge 360 over the jump. 13 year old James Woods claimed second with a clean technical run including a 360 tail grab over the jump and third place went to 13 year old Murray Buchan who hit the jump backwards spinning a 540. Shelly Jones took first in the women’s discipline going big with a 360 and
hitting the kinked rail. Second place went to Lorna Carmichael who cleaned the kinked rail into a smooth 180 over the jump, with Claire Hammond taking home third with an impressive 180 over the smaller jump.
The next event on the Orange AIM Series Calendar is the Indoor Boarder / Skiercross Championships at Milton Keynes, Xscape on Saturday 20th August 2005. For more info check out: www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange AIM Series Results - Artificial Slopestyle Championships, Bracknell
Ski, Sunday 7th August 2005
MEN
1st – Mike Wakefield, Sheffield
2nd – James Woods, Sheffield
3rd – Murray Buchan, Edinburgh
WOMEN
1st – Shelley Jones, Stoke on Trent
2nd – Lorna Carmichael, Edinburgh
3rd – Claire Hammond, Somerset
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, and retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham.
Full results and over 500 pictures online here
Bracknell weather forecast (Posted Thursday, August 4, 2005 by stu)
Bracknell weather forecast for the weekend's Orange AIM Series Slopestyle Championships
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3192
looking really good!
Snowsport GB - Snowboard Competition License (Posted Tuesday, August 2, 2005 by stu)
For those snowboarders wishing to compete at any of the Orange AIM Series events this summer or for the Brits next year you will require a "Snowboard Competition License" issued by Snowsport GB (previously issued by the BSA, but have since merged during the summer with Snowsport GB as part of a modernisation program)
Download here or fill one in at the event.
Licenses are currently being administered by Soul Sports.
4.04pm in the Soul Sports House, (Posted Friday, July 29, 2005 by stu)
4.04pm in the Soul Sports House,
It’s been 2hrs and 34mins since the House were set the latest task, ‘Create the most ridiculously technical Slope Style run’.
For the last 52mins, the Housemates have been in the Jacuzzi arsing about, and generally ignoring the task.
4.30pm and Soul Sports has called the Housemates into the meeting room to submit their final run.
The Housemates rushed entry, presented on the back of a beer-mat scribed in lip-stick reads, “butter 360, to nose-press, to revert off the mail-box, into switch back 450, to backside tail-slide, to switch backside board-slide, to 90 off the flat to down, into corked switch backside 540 stalefish off the booter, into a stalled andrecht hand-plant on the QP”.
Truly ridiculous indeed! And as reward, Soul Sports have appointed the House-mates organisers of the UK’s most eagerly awaited snowboarding events of 2005, ‘The Orange AIM Snowboard & Ski Series’.
Oh Brilliant, mumble the house-mates behind gritted teeth, making little effort to disguise the true sentiment, that an endless supply of luzury food, booze, massages and jucuzzi sports would have been a slightly more welcomed gift.
On the 6th & 7th August the Nations rudest talent will descend upon the freestyle mecca of Bracknell Ski & Snowboard Centre in the hope of being crowned British Artificial Slope Style Champion 2005. Camera steady; Savlon ready; Go!
The opportunity to swagger around the country claiming ownership of the British crown, a mouth-watering prospect for many, and with the title being decided at Bracknell for the first time, could we see a new breed of rippers claim their rightful spot at the forefront of UK riding?… oooh, it’s like eviction night… I can hardly wait!
With a list of obstacles more varied than you’d find at the X-Games, it’s no surprise that the young talent coming through the ranks are truly capable of representing on an International level. The snowboarders will throw down on the Saturday, with the Freestyle ski action taking place on the Sabbath.
Any newcomers can enjoy either a free lesson on the Animal Snowboard Academy, or ski lessons by Trespass. Can anybody replicate the incredible achievements of young Richard Campbell, who took his first ever lesson at the Orange AIM Series 2003, to become British youth champion in 2004 Well you’re not gonna know unless you try, are you?
http://www.aimseries.com/0506/bracknell/general.htm
The Orange AIM Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Red Bull, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, Ortovox, Nixon, and retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham.
Orange AIM Series premiere at Bracknell (Posted Friday, July 22, 2005 by joannebrown)
Bracknell Ski Centre host National Championships
Orange AIM Snowboard and Ski Series premiere at Bracknell Ski Centre
The Bracknell Ski Centre kick-starts the 2005 Orange AIM Series competition circuit with the British Artificial Slopestyle Championships and 200 FREE beginner lessons to the public over the weekend of the 6th and 7th August 2005.
Over the weekend the new venue of Bracknell will see some of UK’s best snowboarders and freestyle skiers, eager to showcase new tricks and earn themselves the title of “British Artificial Slopestyle Champion”. Boasting such names as Rebecca and Sam Cullum, young snowboarder Frazer Dainton and currently topping local Freestyle Ski Competitions James Webb as local riders. Bracknell’s slope is more than qualified to entertain and challenge the most confident skiers and riders. Whilst in the warm up Big Air competition it is all about flying high and landing smoothly.
Learn to ski and snowboard - The Animal Snowboard Academy and the Trespass Ski Academy offer a one hour FREE snowboard or ski lesson with a qualified instructor on the Bracknell nursery slope. The initiative to increase participation and promote local facilities is open for all ages between 12 (noon) and 4 pm both days. Equipment is supplied by Bracknell Ski Slope and all participants get a goody bag. To secure a FREE lesson pre-register on: www.orangeaimseries.com before 4th August or call 07843 209 846 from the 5th August.
Weekend itinerary:
6th August: Snowboard Competition
09.00 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 11.00 Big Air Practice
11.00 – 13.00 Big Air Competition
13.00 – 14.00 Slopestyle Practice
14.00 – 16.00 Slopestyle Competition
(National Championships)
16.00 – 17.00 Slopestyle Jam Session
17.00 Prize Giving
7th August: Ski Competition
09.00 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 11.00 Big Air Practice
11.00 – 12.30 Big Air Competition
12.30 – 13.30 Slopestyle Practice
13.30 – 15.00 Slopestyle Competition
(National Championships)
15.00 – 16.00 Slopestyle Jam Session
16.00 Prize Giving
The competition is based on open entry for all performance levels and competitors compete in age categories. Helmets are obligatory for all under 16. Some of UK’s top snowsport athletes and Olympic hopefuls have developed through the Orange AIM Series and over 4,000 beginners have tried snowboarding and skiing through the free lesson initiative over the last three year’s.
To find out more about the Orange AIM Series events and free lessons check out www.orangeaimseries.com
The Orange Aim Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon, and retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham.
Orange AIM Series - Schools Tour, St Crispins (Posted Friday, June 24, 2005 by stu)
Myself, Matt and Joanne from the office went upto Bracknell on Wednesday to checkout how Jon, Sonia, Mollie and Mike were doing on the schools tour, and by all accounts its going really well. The pupils are stoked and plenty of them are signing up for their free lessons. Sam Cullum was there too, representing the local talent and giving his support at St Crispin's and Brakenhale schools. 
We also checked out the Slope seeing as Bracknell is the first event in the series. 6/7th August, so checkout www.orangeaimseries.com for all the info.
Register & Pay Online for the Orange AIM Series (Posted Tuesday, June 21, 2005 by stu)
Registration for this years Orange AIM Series is now live, plus for the first time in its 4 year history you can pay for your registration online with a credit card
Register Online here, its soo easy.
SCUK members get 10% off comp fees.
More pupils will get onboard this summer (Posted Thursday, June 9, 2005 by jennyahnell)
On Monday 13th June the Orange AIM Series Schools Tour take off again!
The Orange AIM Series Schools Tour will educate and inspire a further 3,000 school pupils over the next two weeks to keep active with snowsports. British Champion Snowboarders and Freestyle Skiers will hit the road on the 13th June to visit 10 schools across the UK offering the pupils free beginner lessons at each of the Orange AIM Series events through August to October.
The schools tour spends a day at each school, presenting the various elements and disciplines of snowboarding and freestyle skiing, as well as talking about mountain safety, equipment, training and career opportunities. Before getting the chance to check out the equipment themselves and get their hands on stickers, lanyards and posters, the students are treated to a trampoline display of more difficult tricks by the pros.
To give you the beneficial factors of snowsports, apart from its valuable effect on the cognitive and motor skills, skiing and snowboarding strengthens the immune system, improves vitality, self confidence and promotes a positive attitude towards life, assets that are of value for one and all and which proves that snowsports are the way forward to a happier life!!
With the Schools Tour the Orange AIM Series is hoping to spread the awareness of the sports and get more young new talent involved so the sports can grow further.
The fourth Orange AIM Schools Tour is visiting schools in these areas from the 13th to the 24th June 2005: Rossendale, Castleford, Milton Keynes, Bracknell and Warmwell.
The AIM Schools Tour Team 2005 are:
Mike Wakefield; pro freestyle skier & current Halfpipe Champion
Sonia Shaw; pro snowboarder, British Big Air Champion (2003)
Mollie Percival.; pro snowboarder, British Big Air Champion (2004, 2nd in Slopestyle & Big Air 2005)
Jonathan Weaver; pro snowboarder & snowboard journalist
In each area the team will also be joined by local pros that can help promoting the local slope. Already confirmed are snowboarders Laura Berry, Luke Paull, Colum Mytton and skiers Shelley Jones and Nick Southwell, to mention a few.
The Orange Aim Series Schools Tour would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Orange, Red Bull, Trespass, Vans, Animal, Thirtytwo, Eastpak, Etnies, Snowlife, Xscape, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO, Ortovox, Nixon and retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham.
Orange AIM Series 2004 and Brits 2005 Round up on Bluebird (Posted Thursday, June 9, 2005 by jennyahnell)
This Thursday (9th June) you will be able to catch a little more action from last year’s Orange AIM Series and this year’s Orange Brits as Bluebird on Extreme Sports Channel give you a competition round up.
Bluebird is a new snowboard six-part series on Extreme Sports Channel that predominantly turn the British Snowboard scene in side out with interviews, profiles, trip and competition features etc. The first series is now coming to its end and as the very last feature there will be footage from the last year’s AIM competitions.
Episode 6 of Bluebird will broadcast on Extreme Sports Channel on Thursday 9th June at 5.30 pm and then again on Sunday 12th June at 8.30 am.
So tune in to Extreme Sports Channel to get the lo-down on who ruled the Orange AIM Series last year and who were the champions at the Orange Brits this year.
The new www.orangeaimseries.com website for 05/ 06 is now up and running, so go check out all the info on the new dryslope venues, competition dates etc!
Orange AIM Snowboard Series 05 info (Posted Tuesday, June 7, 2005 by stu)
Orange AIM Freestyleski Series 05 info (Posted Tuesday, June 7, 2005 by stu)
Red Bull Rail Storm, Glasgow video (Posted Friday, June 3, 2005 by stu)
Just got the 2 minute video through from Red Bull who put on the Rail Storm in Glasgow last winter.
Its 4.5mb to download and can be found in the left hand column on http://www.aimseries.com website.
Red Bull are supporting the Orange AIM Series this year and holding a "Red Bull Jibber of the day" competition at Bracknell, Castleford and Milton Keynes... who knows you might up winning and end up at this years Red Bull Rail Storm which is all hush hush for now...
Is it a bird, is it a plane....no its Noddy (Posted Thursday, June 2, 2005 by stu)
Here is a picture by Pike of Noddy Gowans one of our Ski judges dressed up as SUPERMAN at the 2005 Orange Brits entertaining the Snowboard Big Air crowd before the finals.
ORANGE BRITS 2005 ON GEN://EX, EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL (Posted Friday, May 20, 2005 by jennyahnell)
This year’s Orange Brits saw a number of camera crews milling around shooting the action both in front and behind the cameras plus on and off the slopes. Next week you will be able to tune in to Extreme Sports Channel to catch the action and see what Gen://ex presenter Izzie Knowles and her camera crew got up to whilst out at the Orange Brits.
In Gen://ex show 9 Izzie is talking to Johno Verity and they’ll show a small teaser of the Brits.
Broadcast dates:
26th May at 17.00; 27th May at 07.30; 30th May at 07.30
4th June at 09.00 and 17.00
Then in Gen://ex show 10 the real action will be laid bare with footage from the Halfpipe and Slopestyle and an interview with Halfpipe Champion and Olympic hopeful Lesley McKenna.
Broadcast dates:
27th May at 17.00; 30th May at 17.00; 31st May at 07.30
2nd June at 17.00; 3rd June at 07.30; 9th June at 18.30
10th June at 00.30; 11th June at 09.00 and 17.00
So no need to miss it!!
Later on this summer there will be more from the Orange Brits on new Extreme Sports Channel programme Bluebird, then SKY 1, more Extreme Sports Channel and Discovery Channel.
- Keep you eyes peeled for more information nearer the time!
To check out the results from the event go to www.orangeaimseries.com and for pictures have a look at the galleries at www.snowboardclub.co.uk and www.powderroom.net.
Last year's Orange Brits re-run on Extreme Channel (Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2005 by jennyahnell)
Tune in to Extreme Channel tomorrow evening to catch the action from last year's Orange British Snowboard and Freestyle Ski Championships in Les Deux Alpes, France.
Extreme Channel, Wednesday 11th May at 19.00. (7 pm)
There will be footage from this year's Brits on both Bluebird and Gen//:ex in May/ June - Look out for broadcast dates and times, soon here!
Variety is the spice of life! (Posted Friday, April 29, 2005 by stu)
Embarking on its fourth year the Orange AIM Series has got a new motto as it goes south and releases its 2005 dates.
Continuing the success of the Orange AIM Series, the UK’s snowboard and freestyle ski championships circuit will spread those its artificial wings and to check out the talent at Rossendale, Bracknell and Warmwell dryslopes this summer/ autumn.
Stuart Brass of Soulsports comment on the move:
“We felt it was time to spread the love around! There areThere are many existing slopes out there that have speninvestingt a lotlarge sums of money building more into developing advanced facilities freestyle arenas, and to reward such enterprise, with new better toys for the freestyle scene which provide great variation toit’s seems only fitting that these slopes be given the opportunity to host National Championship legs of the Orange AIM Series. Also, working with new schools & new media provides an excellent opportunity to replicate the accomplishments of the Series in 3 new areas - creating as it has done, pockets of Snowsports enthusiasts. Let’s spread the love around!”
To not miss out of the fun, these are the dates to put in your diary:
With new laid ‘permasnow’ surface Bracknell offer tubes, boxes, new quarterpipe and a variation of kickers and rails
‘Snowflex’ snow park with built in terrain drop, rails and big kicker
‘Snowflex’ slope with permanent, built in Kicker and quarterpipe
*These events will also be hosting a “RED BULL JIBBER OF THE DAY” contest.
The very popular indoor events will stay in Milton Keynes and Castleford Xscape due to the facilities they offer.
When it all started the key ingredients were to provide keen enthusiasts with a platform to get into competition and gain wider exposure as well as promoting the sports and increase participation. As the series grew and through incorporating Artificial, Indoor slopes and Mountains the Orange AIM Series offers something for all tastes and actively works towards promoting new slopes and resorts, supporting local scenes, giving the media something new to write about and to keep the competitors excited with more variety.
The Orange AIM Series is open to all performance levels and ages. Helmets will be compulsory to everyone under 16 and it is advisable to pre-register over the internet.
To find out more about each event; schedules, course design and registration forms check out the re-launched Orange AIM Series 2005 website.
You know the web address…. www.orangeaimseries.com!!
The Orange Aim Series would not be cooking without its highly supportive sponsors: Vans, Helly Hansen, Snowlife, Xscape, Trespass, ThirtyTwo, Etnies, Salomon, Ride, K2, APO and its retail partners: TSA and Ellis Brigham.