Olympic Gold Medalist Ross Powers wins first ever Sugarloaf Banked Slalom
The first Sugarloaf Banked Slalom, based on the Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom, took place over the weekend. Olympic medalists Ross Powers and Seth Wescott were among competitors, with Powers taking first place and Wescott coming in for third.
Here’s more from the official press release:
CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME(March 19, 2011) -Olympic Gold Medalist Ross Powers charged to victory in the first ever Sugarloaf Banked Slalom today, topping a field of 141 riders, including two-time Olympic champion Seth Wescott.
Powers, a 2002 Olympic gold medal winner from Okemo, VT, finished the race in 1 minute, 18.36 second, just under five seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, 36 year-old Kevin McMahon of Stratton, VT, who posted a time of 1.23.32. Wescott, who lives at Sugarloaf and helped to organize the event and build the course, finished the race in third place with a time of 1.24.02.
The Sugarloaf Banked Slalom is based on the model of the Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom, and is a snowboard-only, open registration event, which allows snowboarders young and old to compete against snowboarding legends on a winding course of banked turns down Sugarloaf’s storied terrain.
“The banked slalom is something that we’ve thought would be a great fit for Sugarloaf for a long time,” Wescott said. “The Mt Baker Legendary Banked Slalom is a truly unique event, and brings snowboarding back to its roots. The race is a perfect fit for Sugarloaf, and it was an incredible experience to be able to race in a banked slalom here at my home mountain.”
The race features five different age categories for both men and women, with prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
The age categories are 14-and-under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, and 40 plus. Registration will be capped at 100 riders.
The Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom is widely considered to be the first organized snowboard competition, and it eventually gave birth to the sport of snowboardcross. Wescott has won the only two Olympic gold medals ever awarded in snowboardcross.
The event was sponsored by K2 Snowboards, Bern Helmets, Bolle, and Team Eight Snowboards.
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About the Sugarloaf Resort- Located in Carrabassett Valley, ME, Sugarloaf is largest ski area in the East, and is home to the only lift-serviced above treeline skiing and riding in the East and one of Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Celebrating its 60thanniversary in 2010, Sugarloaf is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions. Follow: www.sugarloaf.com, www.facebook.com/sugarloaf, and http://twitter.com/sugarloafmaine.
TAGS: kevin mcmahon, mt. baker legendary banked slalom, ross powers, Seth Wescott, sugarloaf banked slalom
