Burton Am Series: Northstar-at-Tahoe

The Burton AM Series rolled into Northstar at Tahoe with high expectations for the 3rd stop of the tour. We were bombarded with e-mails, weather forecasts, and rumors that the Tahoe area had received a mere 10 feet of snow the week prior to our arrival and more snow was on the way! All I can say is the rumors were true and the meteorologists forecast were right on the money for a change, by the time the event was over we had received an additional 30+ inches in 3 days, all of the snow was a mixed blessing as it made for soft landings and endless first tracks, but tough conditions for our set up.

The Slopestyle event was on Saturday and the SPT backed Northstar Park Staff exceeded expectations with their creation of a truly “legit” Slopestyle set up in the famed “Pinball” terrain park! Unfortunately the snow & high winds followed us from Big Bear, so riders had to deal with crazy weather on top of a variety of features and a jump line that rewarded you if you brought your “A” game & definitely punished you if you didn’t! The talent that showed up was “top notch” with athletes hailing from So Cal, Squaw, New Hampshire and everywhere in between.

The Halfpipe event presented a challenge not only for the competitors but also the park staff, Castaneda and crew worked through the night to get the pipe dug out, re-cut, and maintained so we could get the comp off with out a hitch! When all was said and done the story of the day was two of Northstar’s own coaches James Brumfield and Rick Millett throwing down and showing their kids that the “old guard” can still shred with the best of them!

First place finishers at the Burton AM Series walked away with a guaranteed spot into the US Open in Stratton, VT – March 17-23, 2008 along with $1000 cash and a Burton snowboard. Second place took home $500 cash, Burton bindings and Anon eyewear, while third place finishers secured $250 cash and a Burton bag. Special thanks to event sponsors Burton Snowboards, Snowboarder Magazine, and SoBe Beverages for making it all happen. Registration info and event details can all be found at www.burton.com/amseries. Event results, photos and video can be found at www.myspace.com/burtonamseries. The next AM Series event is at Mt. Hood Meadows, OR on Feb 17th & 18th with another two events to follow in Michigan, and New Hampshire. Spots are still available. See you out there!

Men's Slopestyle

1 - Bobby Witty 18, Incline, NV
2 - Gregory Bretz 17, Mammoth Lakes, CA
3 - Brandon Reis 19,Peterboro, NH

Women's Slopestyle

1 - Bev Vuilleumier 20, Walnut Creek, CA
2 - Allyson Carroll 19, Truckee, CA
3 - Laurie Currier Incline, NV

Men's Halfpipe

1 - James Brumfield 24, Truckee, CA
2 - Rick Millett 24, Kings Beach, CA
3 - Tim Rechetniak 18, Windham, NY

Women's Halfpipe

1 - Allyson Carroll 19, Truckee, CA
2 - Summer Fenton 13, San Francisco, CA
3 - Indigo Monk 13, Manhattan Beach, CA