Oakley Grom Games 2011
The hype surrounding last year's Oakley Grom Games made it a hard act to follow but this year’s event was in a different league.
Over 140 freeskiers and snowboarders entered, bringing along their families, friends and entourages. The quality of riding and the fun and camaraderie just goes to prove that the future looks super bright for British Freeskiing and Snowboarding.
Freeski Jam Session
During the session, skiers showed off their skills to the hugely respected judges on one of the best freestyle arenas ever seen at Manchester’s Chill Factore. Pat Sharples, who created the Oakley Grom Games, was on the mic calling the tricks while the Red Bull DJs busted out the tunes on the slope from the top of their legendary vehicle / DJ booth. The judges had the tough job of picking the top three skiers for each age group as well as selecting the best men and women to join the invited riders in the evening invitational event.
The kids, some as young as 7 years old, were ruling the roost and even intimidating some of the older pros! Cal Sandieson and Chris McCormick from Glasgow were imitating the famous Hall-Dumont battles, and ended up with joint 1st places in the under 12s. Chris Wadsworth was throwing down some of the most tech tricks of the day, including a switch 270 butter on to the street down rail to switch up and 270 out, earning him the 1st place spot in the 18-24 category and a place in the invitational event. The girls event was equally contended with Madi Rowlands (12 and under winner) showing she's going to be a star of the future and Sissy Herant and Rowan Cheshire (2nd and 3rd Overall) proving that they’re up there with the best girls in Europe.
Grom Games Ski Invitational
Despite the kick off of the European cup final, all eyes were on the ski finals and one by one the riders put down their best tricks in front of the judges in the 45 minute jam session. Katie Summerhayes showed the crowds why she is the best 15 year old girl in the World with her super tech tricks and oozing the style that earn't her the 1st place spot. Sissy Herant and Rowan Cheshire also went all out and placed 2nd and 3rd in the overall ranking in the lady's category.
Out of the 4 riders selected for the knockouts James Machon and Murray Buchan's names were the first out of the hat and as both men are rivals at the British Halfpipe championships it was set to be one hell of a battle. Both came out fighting strong with flawless runs and after heated discussions in the judging area James Machon got the nod. 13-year-old MJ Rowlands was up next, battling TJ Harding, and spinning both ways onto the features, which massively impressed the judges. Tyler had to step it up and he didn't disappoint, putting in some of the hardest tricks of the day and placing him in the super final. In MJ vs Murray 2 clean runs made the decision hard but 3rd place went to MJ. In the final heat James kicked it off and his super tech, clean run proved that his skills don’t only lie in the halfpipe. James’ run looked hard to beat but Tyler didn’t give into the pressure and he put down one of the most technical runs the crowds had seen at an indoor snow centre. The judges rewarded him and the gold medal was Tylers, along with his £200 cash prize and custom Oakley Crowbar goggles, specially designed for all the winners of the Oakley Grom Games.
Results
Freeski women
1st - Katie Summerhayes
2nd - Sissy Herant
3rd - Rowan Cheshire
Freeski men
1st – Tyler Harding
2nd – James Machon
3rd – Michael Rowlands
After Party
Everyone enjoyed themselves into the early hours with the DJ’s busting out tunes (and a spontaneous game of musical chairs) and it was awesome to see so many smiley happy people.
The Oakley Grom Games team would like to thank all this sponsors for making it such a special and unique event. Thanks to Oakley, Salomon Freeski, Salomon Snowboard, Giro, Skullcandy, Subvert board stores, Snow & Rock, Freeze Pro shop, Chill factore.
Posted by Online Editor - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 1:48pm
The hype surrounding last year's Oakley Grom Games made it a hard act to follow but this year’s event was in a different league.
Over 140 freeskiers and snowboarders entered, bringing along their families, friends and entourages. The quality of riding and the fun and camaraderie just goes to prove that the future looks super bright for British Freeskiing and Snowboarding.
Freeski Jam Session
During the session, skiers showed off their skills to the hugely respected judges on one of the best freestyle arenas ever seen at Manchester’s Chill Factore. Pat Sharples, who created the Oakley Grom Games, was on the mic calling the tricks while the Red Bull DJs busted out the tunes on the slope from the top of their legendary vehicle / DJ booth. The judges had the tough job of picking the top three skiers for each age group as well as selecting the best men and women to join the invited riders in the evening invitational event.
The kids, some as young as 7 years old, were ruling the roost and even intimidating some of the older pros! Cal Sandieson and Chris McCormick from Glasgow were imitating the famous Hall-Dumont battles, and ended up with joint 1st places in the under 12s. Chris Wadsworth was throwing down some of the most tech tricks of the day, including a switch 270 butter on to the street down rail to switch up and 270 out, earning him the 1st place spot in the 18-24 category and a place in the invitational event. The girls event was equally contended with Madi Rowlands (12 and under winner) showing she's going to be a star of the future and Sissy Herant and Rowan Cheshire (2nd and 3rd Overall) proving that they’re up there with the best girls in Europe.
Grom Games Ski Invitational
Despite the kick off of the European cup final, all eyes were on the ski finals and one by one the riders put down their best tricks in front of the judges in the 45 minute jam session. Katie Summerhayes showed the crowds why she is the best 15 year old girl in the World with her super tech tricks and oozing the style that earn't her the 1st place spot. Sissy Herant and Rowan Cheshire also went all out and placed 2nd and 3rd in the overall ranking in the lady's category.
Out of the 4 riders selected for the knockouts James Machon and Murray Buchan's names were the first out of the hat and as both men are rivals at the British Halfpipe championships it was set to be one hell of a battle. Both came out fighting strong with flawless runs and after heated discussions in the judging area James Machon got the nod. 13-year-old MJ Rowlands was up next, battling TJ Harding, and spinning both ways onto the features, which massively impressed the judges. Tyler had to step it up and he didn't disappoint, putting in some of the hardest tricks of the day and placing him in the super final. In MJ vs Murray 2 clean runs made the decision hard but 3rd place went to MJ. In the final heat James kicked it off and his super tech, clean run proved that his skills don’t only lie in the halfpipe. James’ run looked hard to beat but Tyler didn’t give into the pressure and he put down one of the most technical runs the crowds had seen at an indoor snow centre. The judges rewarded him and the gold medal was Tylers, along with his £200 cash prize and custom Oakley Crowbar goggles, specially designed for all the winners of the Oakley Grom Games.
Results
Freeski women
1st - Katie Summerhayes
2nd - Sissy Herant
3rd - Rowan Cheshire
Freeski men
1st – Tyler Harding
2nd – James Machon
3rd – Michael Rowlands
After Party
Everyone enjoyed themselves into the early hours with the DJ’s busting out tunes (and a spontaneous game of musical chairs) and it was awesome to see so many smiley happy people.
The Oakley Grom Games team would like to thank all this sponsors for making it such a special and unique event. Thanks to Oakley, Salomon Freeski, Salomon Snowboard, Giro, Skullcandy, Subvert board stores, Snow & Rock, Freeze Pro shop, Chill factore.