The North Face Masters 2009: Kirkwood Day 1 Results
World-Class Riders Laura Dewey And Ross Baker Dominate First Day Of The North Face Masters Of Snowboarding At Kirkwood Mountain Resort, California
Kirkwood, CA - More than eight feet of new snow greeted 77 snowboarders for the first day on the final stop of The North Face Masters of Snowboarding (TNF Masters) at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, California, today. An intense first day, qualifying runs were hosted in the storied terrain of Lookout Vista – a newly lift accessed area at Kirkwood – complete with challenging cliff chutes and steep pitches. The top riders on the day were Laura Dewey of Snowbird, Utah, and Ross Baker of Squaw Valley, California.
Recent storms delivering massive amounts of snow this week meant that Lookout Vista remained closed until the day leading into the competition. Tomorrow’s venue, the permanently closed area of The Cirque was perhaps the most talked about item of the day as riders prepared for the event finals to take place on Saturday. Fresh snow accumulations in Lookout Vista served as a fantastic training ground for the undeniable challenge awaiting riders tomorrow morning.
“The ultimate challenge at Kirkwood is the terrain of the Cirque,” said Lake Tahoe rider Jeremy Jacobson. “I’ve been at all three stops on the tour, and there couldn’t be a better suited venue for the final day of the event - it shows a true progression among the riders from start to finish.”
Competitors pushed the envelope as they negotiated the rock-lined chutes of Lookout Vista before boosting airs anywhere from 15 to 45 feet in an effort to advance to day two. TNF Masters 2008 co-champion Laura Dewey of Snowbird, Utah, flashed her line with three airs, which she cleanly stomped. Her fast, hesitation-free style impressed the judges and she advances to day two in top position ahead of Tiffany Noel of Mammoth, California, and Michelle Locke of Lake Louise, Alberta.
The stacked men’s field includes TNF Masters Snowbird winner Matt Annetts and TNF Masters Crested Butte winner Clif Dimon. It was Ross Baker however, who came out on top today. Baker charged his line, easily landing a huge air, rode extremely fast, strong and fluid. He sits in first ahead of Ryan Egan of Squaw Valley, California, Ryland Bell of Cleary Summit, Alaska, and sitting in fourth is Rob Kingwill, winner of the 2008 TNF Masters final stop in Alyeska, Alaska. Current overall point’s leader, Matt Annetts of Stowe, Vermont, crashed and did not make the cut to tomorrow’s finals. Clif Dimon, who sits in second overall, was also knocked out of contention, in an unfortunate fall. The door is wide open for a new TNF Masters Champion.
Athletes start fresh tomorrow, as today’s points will not carry over. Day two of TNF Masters at Kirkwood heads to The Cirque and the better of two runs will ultimately decide the winner. The area offers a variety of tight lines and huge airs with serious implications including several no-fall zones. After the first run, a cut will be made and only the top competitors will compete in the super finals, at the end of the day the 2009 TNF Masters Champions will be crowned.
Watch the final and super final rounds of TNF Masters LIVE tomorrow on thenorthfacemasters.com beginning at 1:30 pm PST. Also check out photos, athlete profiles and more.
Results for Day One (Athlete Name Bib Country Home Resort Run Total):
Women
1 Laura Dewey 12 USA Snowbird 75.67
2 Tiffany Noel 47 USA Mammoth 71.00
3 Michelle Locke 17 CAN Lake Louise 68.33
4 Lisa Longo 29 USA Mammoth 68.00
5 Holly Enderle 81 USA Eaglecrest 66.00
6 Iris Lazzareschi 50 USA Squaw Valley 63.00
7 Rosemarie Dittfach 16 CAN Kirkwood 62.33
8 Rachel Rainey 5 USA Mammoth 61.67
9 Rachel Sheidow 14 AUS Mt. Buller 60.00
9 Sarah Baca 53 USA Snowbasin 60.00
Men
1 Ross Baker 18 USA Squaw Valley 81.67
2 Ryan Egan 64 USA Squaw Valley 80.00
3 Ryland Bell 77 USA Cleary Summit 78.00
4 Rob Kingwill 7 USA Jackson Hole 77.67
5 Nathan Reuter 55 USA Kirkwood 76.33
6 Aaron Robinson 49 USA Big Mountain 75.67
6 Ralph Backstrom 65 USA Squaw Valley 75.67
8 Jonathan Penfield 31 USA Snowbird 75.33
9 Joe Forrest 48 USA Kirkwood 74.00
10 Kenny Jones 69 USA Snowbird 73.00
10 Matt Mims 11 USA Kirkwood 73.00