No Man's Land: Contest Yourself!

Danica Patrick was immortalized in history recently when she came close to winning the Indy 500, the most prestigious racing event in the world. Twenty-three-year-old Danica competed against the best racers in her field, who just so happened to be men. She took home $378,855 for placing fourth and was awarded rookie of the year. Not bad. What does this have to do with women’s snowboarding, you ask? Everything.

Competition is an integral part of a female pro snowboarder’s career. Renowned events like the X Games, US Open and Olympics provide a world stage for the best to show their skills. “When I was coming up, there was no other way for a girl to get noticed besides competing. So that is what I did,” states Kelly Clark, who has won all three of the above mentioned events.

Unlike racecar driving, snowboarders do not compete against members of the opposite sex. But do they think they should? “Heck yes! Put us in our spot,” exclaimed Janna Meyen, perhaps the most accomplished contest rider in slopestyle today.

Five-time X Games gold medalist Tara Dakides contradicts Meyen on this matter: “Hell no. Why should we compete with the guys? There is obviously a difference between the two genders in more ways than one.”

Victoria Jealouse may be best known for her backcountry finesse and Mt. Baker Banked Slalom victories, but she has also secured US Open and World Cup wins back in the day. Victoria agrees with Dakides: “If girls want to compare themselves to guys, that’s fine, but it isn’t very healthy if they dwell on it. I’ve done it.”

Then there’s the ever-present debate of equal prize money. While events like the US Open ensure that the payouts are the same, the 2005 Vans Cup signed over a $1,000 check for the top female rail rider and $15,000 for her male counterpart. “Our riding is nowhere near the guys,” states Meyen. “If I was one of them, I’d be like, ‘What the hell? That chick just got paid huge for a couple fancy 3s.’”

Olympic halfpipe hopeful Hannah Teter disagrees: “Women are pushing themselves and working just as hard as the guys, so why not dish it out equally?”

Tara Dakides holds the middle ground on this topic: “I think it should be close in prize money, but I understand and don’t mind if it’s a bit different. There’s more competition for the men, so that’s fair, but I will say the prize money should be a lot more in events these days. It’s ridiculous the X Games pays only 15 grand [for first place].”

All-girl competitions like the Roxy Chicken Jam and the Nikita Chickita Snowdown, which feature women-specific courses and respectable prize money, are on the rise. But not all organizers support this surge of women’s competition. The Vail Session, an event known for its progressive approach to formatting and terrain, removed women’s slopestyle from its schedule in ‘05. The Vail Valley Foundation’s John Dakin, a spokesman for the Session, explained, “During the 2003 and 2004 contests, we experimented with running both men and women on one course. In the interest of competitor safety, along with taking input from the female riders, we were compelled to alter the course both years. Following a lengthy discussion prior to our most recent event, the decision was made to have only the men’s slopestyle. We unfortunately do not have a venue that can accommodate two courses.” To Vail’s credit, the women’s slopestyle prize money was reallocated to the rest of the purse, thereby increasing the women’s rail jam payout.

Current reigning US Open jib jam champion Leanne Pelosi is still irked by the decision. “They [event organizers] should have a moral obligation to help grow and support the sport,” she states. “I was mad that the Vail Foundation took away the women’s slopestyle this past year, just as that part of snowboarding is improving so rapidly.”

Janna Meyen, who won the women’s slopestyle at the Session in ‘04, understands the dilemma organizers face: “They want to showcase the best of snowboarding, put on a show and entertain people. I stopped watching women’s events years ago. It’s so sketchy—myself included. We look like we are going to kill ourselves at any second.”

Until the women’s video movement expands its influence and standout parts become common, contests will remain the most tangible gauge of a female pro’s worth. Having first won an Open title in 1991 and again in the most recent slopestyle 14 years later, perhaps Meyen puts it in the best perspective: “For the level of riding and all the complaining, I feel like we are really lucky to have these opportunities.” Diplomatic words from a girl who has been banned from events like the Session for telling judges rather bluntly how she really felt about the results!