Saturday, November 3rd 2007. San Fransisco, CA., -- AT&T Giants stadium
That’s right; the Esurance ICER big air contest is the only stadium snowboard event in the US, kind of like the air and style in Europe. I traveled up for the day to check it out: it was a super fun event and some heavy shredders come out to compete. There are all sorts of other activities going on; skate demos, wakeboard demos, lots of booths and so on. Not to mention the people watching. Pretty much an all day event but things got wilder as the day went on. The early part of the day was family time and as things got later - the partiers came out so there was something for everyone.
The jump, with like a 50 foot gap, was way better than last year so the action was better. Unlike most events in the US with asshole rules and security, things were chil; the announcers were actively encouraging people to drink and smoke weed. I am not kidding, they were promoting and illegal activity and you know what? I was stoked. By the time the big air finals rolled around and Talib Kwell/Mos Def played, the big crowd was very enthusiastic. Good vibes everywhere. Instead of boring you with more details, read on…
Riders included: Chas Guldemond,Travis Rice, Tim Humphreys, Wyatt Caldwell, Ian Thorley, Jeremy Thompson, Andreas Wiig, Andy Finch, John Jackson, Chris Rotax, Michael Goldschmidt, Mason Aguirre, Shayne Pospisil and more.
2007 ICER Air Results Results:
1.) Travis Rice
2.) Tim Humphreys
3.) Chas Guldemond
4.) Wyatt Caldwell
5.) Ian Thorley
6.) Jeremy Thompson
7.) Andreas Wiig
Here is the jump, situated in AT & T ballpark, where the San Francisco Giants play, next to San Francisco bay
Ian Thorley cranks out a 5 during the preliminary rounds held around 3 pm
Michael Goldschmidt grabs his nose while spinning
John Jackson where else would you see the city and the bay in the background of a snowboard contest?
Andreas Wiig hangs it out in the prelims
There were tons of fans out the park to watch the action. It was a beautiful day – perfect for wandering around the Giants field and checking out the various sponsor booths
There was a skate demo on a vert ramp inside the stadium. There was also wakeboarding and a street course in lot A, across a little bridge. Here’s PLG doing a Japan air
PLG came up from Northern San Diego County for the day. He said he was not paid too much but it was more than just “beer money”
The fucking man, the figurehead of Thrasher and do not forget Thrasher was the first skateboard mag to arrive on the scene in the early 80’s. In fact, Transworld skateboarding was created as an alternative to Thrashers “Skate and Destroy” style. I saw Jake skating the streets of San Francisco later at like 8 pm. How many other industry dorks are out skateboarding on a Sat night? Not too many
Chaz Guldemond has only been on the hot list for a few years but he has come a long way.
Andreas Wiig = metal
Here is the San Francisco Giants pitchers mound turned into a sand box.
Chris Rotax does a 540 during the prelims.
This kid Jeremy Thompson was ripping. He is from upstate New York, about two hours from New York City. He now lives in Utah. He went to school with Louie Vito so you know he is bound for glory.
Travis Rice is like the Terje for the new millennium. He does everything well and with style. OF COURSE Trice made it through the prelims and into the finals.
Where is Barry Bonds? The Giants dug out.
San Francisco is an amazing city that is surrounded by beautiful sights, like the Oakland Bay Bridge.
You’re welcome.
Andy Finch is a fucking nut, I love watching that guy – front flip in the finals, which started around 6 pm.
Once the finals got started it was obvious that Travis Rice, Andreas Wiig or Chaz Guldemond would end up winning. Travis actually won it with this very double rodeo 1080.
Andreas was trying a double cork 10 to try to beat Travis. Andreas kept catching an edge in the soft snow. I bet he would have made it on natural snow. Here Andreas congratulates Travis on making his double rodeo 10.
This dude was so rad. He graduated from Cannabis University with honors. He was very helpful in spreading the word about Snowboard Revolution. Johnny Centi (Snowboard Revolution founder) is very smart with his guerilla marketing techniques.
Ho hum – Chaz back 12’s into 3rd place.
This girl wanted Travis sooo bad, she did not take her eyes off him, she was hot too. Sucks to be Travis.
Tim Humphries ended up in second spot with rad stuff like this smooooth 1080.
We Blow Snow!
The final Scoreboard
Snowboarders invade the Giants locker room – Jeremy Thompson.
To the victor go the spoils. Travis poses with one of his many female fans
Heading home on the Bart on Saturday night. Here was my schedule. 6:15 am – wake up, 6:45 – ride 100 miles to LAX on motorcycle, 10:26 – leave LAX on Delta airlines (plane was late), Noonish – arrive SFO, take Bart to ballpark. 2pm – arrive ballpark, 8 pm – leave, walk to BART and go back to SFO, 10:20 pm – United plane leaves SFO, Midnight – leave LAX on motorcycle, 1:45am on Sunday – home, one long day
Worth the effort? You betcha
Our Video is Coming Soon! In the meantime you can check out Travis Rice’s double cork heelside 1080:
Related: Check out the coverage from the 2006 ICER AIR