West Coast Invitational: Fiesta de la Pipa 2008
Here is the truth, for most riders and spectators snowboard contests really suck. Seriously. It seems that the bigger the event the sh*ttier the experience for everyone involved. The problem is two fold. First, contest organizers seem hell bent on over regulating everything from schedules to start lists and heaven forbid they try to be flexible with either. That just doesn’t happen. Second, and most likely the cause of the first is how all major contests are dictated by TV concerns. Cameramen are notorious for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, which causes delays and then there are the commercial holds which keep the bottom line healthy and the finish line empty. This is why spectators get bored and riders have to spend 90% of every competition day standing around. Unlike other sports snowboarding is unique in that you don’t need to trek to the US Open or X Games to see the best shreds in the world in person. Riders like Danny Kass, Chas Guldemond, Louie Vito and Luke Mitrani routinely make appearances at low stress, grass roots get togethers like the Holy Oly, Grenade Games, World Quarters, Last Call and ASJ. Unfortunately the latter event is now defunct because of sponsorship issues. Still every weekend there are contests which put good riding and good times at the forefront. Mammoth Mountain’s late spring session The WCI Fiesta De La Pipa is no exception. Based on a Cinco De Mayo theme, the Fiesta De La Pipa is a three hour long, no holds barred, halfpipe session where thirty or so pro shreds lap a venue laden with all sorts of festive jib features. This year’s setup included a "Boned Age" eyeball bonk, Red Bull snowcat blade, four foot high pink wallride, a sideways lift tower slide set three feet above the deck and two Vans slip-on shaped piñata full of candy. With no set start order and no limits to how many runs a rider could take, the action in the Pipa remained constant.
While there were no free cars, six digit prize purses or network TV coverage incentives on the line, a slew of top tier pros showed up for the Fiesta. Olympic alumni Elena Hight, and Mercedes Nichol joined local talents Kimmy Fasani and Molly Aguirre in the womens field but they couldn’t best two time X Games slopestyle gold medalist Jamie Anderson for the Fiesta’s first place honors. Large Mctwists and head high backside alley-oop nosegrabs were just some of the tricks that set the Tahoe loc apart from her peers. Instead of showcasing a slew of contrived runs the men’s field at the WCI was rife with style and spontaneity. Scott Blum isn’t a pipe or contest rider yet he lapped the 18 footer all day only stopping five times to grab beers. Boozy boardin’ aside Blum settled handplants on four of the deck jibs. Nate Farrel brought his alley-oop rodeo A-game to the tranny’s and settled several regular and switch variations. Luke Wynan was the first rider to rupture a pinata and got some sweets and scrilla for his efforts. The elusive Kyle Clancy dusted off his East Coast pipe chops and stuck several backside 720 corks. Mason Aguirre brought his usual repertoire of tech tricks to the mix while fellow Frends Danny Davis and Jack Mitrani Mariachi’d the day away to their own tune. Jack’s younger brother Luke has been on a high sierra streak as of late. He followed up his recent showing at the Grenade Games with another best trick award at the WCI. Luke threw a few highly agro switch double chucks late in the day to seal the deal. While Luke would finish third on the day the overall Grenade Games champion, Chas Guldemond would again score the W at the WCI. So why does the WCI attract this level of talent? Because it is fun. After a season spent being pressured to take photo shoots, contests and every other aspect of professional snowboarding seriously, riders need an opportunity to be reminded of how fun shredding can be. Nothing does this like enjoying a great pipe in great weather with great friends. If it happens to be at a “contest” then so be it. FIESTA DE LA PIPA FINAL RESULTS Men: Women:
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