Saturday, February 26, 2011

Slope Phenom Bobby Brown Takes Home First Dew Cup

Bobby competing at his home mountain in Breck
For 19-year-old Bobby Brown, fame has become a prevalent factor in life; something he may not have anticipated when he first set his sights on becoming a pro skier. In the few years Brown has been skiing professionally, he’s quickly made a name for himself among the celebrated athletes of generations past who have pushed the progression of the sport over the years.

In 2010, Brown was the first skier to win two gold medals at the same Winter X Games. One of those was the result of throwing the first switch double misty 1440 in a competition, earning a perfect score. Because of accomplishments like these, among the many others we’ve seen including his recent win of the slopestyle Dew Cup, Brown has made a statement in the sport of skiing. He’s here to stay, and the show is only going to get better.

Brown’s reputation has not only been established in skiing, but it is quickly growing beyond the boundaries of the sport. Brown has jumped to a level of fame other skiers have only dreamed of. First there was his nomination for an ESPY. Then the MTV appearance. And then, oh yeah – a phone call from Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. Just to say hi.

Waiting for his scores in Breck, and the result was a win
Maybe this acquisition of celebratory status is due to the recent popularity spike of freeskiing in mainstream media, a sport that just a few short years ago was obscure to the general public, and Brown happened to burst onto the scene at the right time. Or maybe it simply comes down to Bobby’s charmingly good looks and unassuming personality (cue “Teen Heartthrob” nickname).

This young, hardworking skier has only been on the pro scene since 2008 when he was first discovered by Salomon. What’s even more surprising is that he didn’t start skiing until the age of 11. A significant key to Brown’s success is that he has taken full advantage of every opportunity to come his way. Between the commute from Denver, Colorado to the mountains every weekend before moving to Breckenridge, to now taking time out of his busy training and competition schedule for media tours, Brown isn’t one to pass up opportunities.

Going for it on the massive jumps in Killington
This dedication has clearly paid off by looking at Brown’s results the last few years, both on hill and within the eyes of the general public. But like anyone else, Brown can waver under pressure. The hype at this winter’s X Games in remembrance of his double-gold performance from the year prior got to him. Brown admitted, “I couldn’t handle it and I blew it. That’s a great example of how I need to be mentally on point.”

To shake off his performance at X and move forward, Brown headed into the third and final stop of the Dew Tour with a fresh outlook. With a win and a second-place-finish under his belt from the first two stops of the Tour, he simply focused on the day. “I came into Snowbasin with a smile on my face and genuinely enjoyed myself,” said Brown. “It was the best I’ve skied in a while.”
Killington was another podium performance, and he finished here in second-place
This Dew Cup was a long time coming. The past two years, he’s placed 3rd and 2nd, respectively. This was his first year to walk away with the title, saying, “I’m stoked to finally put the consistency down in the Dew Tour and win the Cup. It’s something I’ve wanted for a few years.”

Consistency was key for Brown this year, focusing on each stop as if it were its own event. “I didn’t think about the Tour from an overall aspect.  My individual effort at each contest led up to the ultimate result of the Dew Cup.” Another contributing factor to Bobby’s success was the presence of his supportive family at all three stops. His Dad even made the long haul out to Vermont.

 Snowbasin, Bobby went big
The Dew Tour is an event Brown and the other skiers truly appreciate. The point system is a motivating factor that opens the doors for a big win at the end. In addition, it provides a lot of national exposure to the athletes and the sports they are trying to grow—a factor Brown is keen on. Salomon International Freeski Team Mananger Tyler Gigg said, “Bobby is an innovator and because of that the sport will grow around him and with him for many years to come.”


Looking forward, Bobby plans to keep skiing for as long as possible. By resisting the various pressures put on him and continually taking advantage of every opportunity, he plans to use his overwhelming rise to stardom for the greater good of the sport. “There are a lot of titles people put on me but I’m just going to keep doing what I normally do and try not to let it get to me. I’m ready to take this to the next level and use all the media outlets I’m getting to show skiing to a broader audience.”

A key member of this particular audience may include the talented Taylor Swift. As Brown so eloquently put it, “I like Taylor Swift a little bit. Ok maybe more than a little bit.” If this is a ploy into another opportunity to gain public exposure (for skiing, of course), Taylor’s your girl. Despite the rumors, the two are not actually dating…yet.

Friday, February 25, 2011

ESPN Adds Global RallyCross Series

Championship Series will take the excitement of X Games Super Rally, pictured here, and extend it to three other events.
 
ESPN and Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) series organizer RallyCross Management have reached an exclusive agreement for the inaugural race series to receive coverage across ESPN's multiple media platforms. The first race of the series kicks off at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. March 25-26, with two additional races at Old Mill Rally Park in Snoqualmie, Wash. and Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo.

Following the success of rally events at X Games, including the first X Games RallyCross competition at last summer's X Games 16, the GRC series will be distributed on a tape-delayed basis domestically in the U.S. on ESPN and ESPN2 and to more than 100 countries through international network distribution. ESPN3.com will provide live coverage on the 24/7 live broadband sports network and on ESPN Mobile TV. Additionally, original web-exclusive content will be created for digital distribution across non-linear ESPN platforms throughout the social media landscape, including ESPN and X Games official Facebook pages.

"ESPN is thrilled to have the Global RallyCross Championship exclusively on our services around the world," said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president of programming and Global X Games. "We look forward to working with RallyCross Management and bringing together world-class drivers and manufacturers to showcase this exciting form of motorsports racing to ESPN audiences around the world."

Three-time X Games rally gold medalist Tanner Foust, said, "RallyCross has huge potential in the U.S. and is almost the perfect spectator motorsport with the whole track visible from one seat, insane racecars that are pushing, shoving, sliding sideways and jumping. The added bonus of ESPN's involvement brings in a lot of the stars from the X Games, and anyone who's ever seen the X Games understands what ESPN is capable of doing for action sports."

2011 Global RallyCross Championship Schedule
Race Dates/Telecast Date Network/Time
Irwindale Speedway March 25-26/April 17 ESPN2 10am - 12pm
Old Mill Rally Park April 15-16/May 14 ESPN 4:30 - 6pm
Pikes Peak International Raceway June 17-18/June 25 ESPN 9-10pm




Top teams and drivers will be drawn from the U.S. and European RallyCross championships, including past X Games rally competitors. RallyCross combines the best aspects of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense, crowd-pleasing action in a variety of diverse fan-friendly environments. Featuring as many as six drivers lining up to start at once, competitors will pilot modified high-horsepower compact cars through race traffic over a challenging short course that features jumps, off-camber turns, hills and transitions between pavement and gravel.

More information on Global RallyCross Championship can be found on www.global-rallycross.com.

Mountain High Introduces The Dual Pass

dualpass-postcard2frontWinter has returned to Southern California with more than two feet of fresh snow in the past week. Skiers and snowboarders are flocking to the local mountains and in honor of the great conditions Mountain High is releasing its Dual Season Pass.

Ski or snowboard the rest of this season PLUS all of next season for just $299. That’s right…Just $299. Regularly $599 for one season, the new Dual Pass lets visitors take advantage of the fresh snow this
year and lock in next year’s pass at the lowest rate possible. Says John McColly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, The Dual Pass is an unbelievable deal. Prices are going up next year so not only can you take advantage of the terrific conditions now, you get ALL of next season as well. And at the lowest price possible so it’s a benefit to both new customers and existing pass holders.”

Additional benefits include 10% off non-sale retail items, 10% off adult ski & snowboard lessons, guaranteed admittance during a sell out, and daily admittance to the North Pole Tubing Park. Ski the East Resort with its long runs and breathtaking views. Ride under the stars Wednesday through Sunday at the West Resort. Or take the kids on an exciting tubing adventure at the North Resort. With a season pass, you can do it all for less than the price of five visits. Children’s passes for age seven to twelve are also available for just $129.00, and children six and under receive a free season pass with the purchase of an adult season pass. Please note there is a limit of two children’s passes per adult pass purchased.

Mountain High’s Dual Season Pass is on sale March 1st through the end of the 2010/11 season. For the quickest processing, guests are encouraged to purchase their passes online at www.mthigh.com www.mthigh.com. There they can manage their orders, download liability forms, and much more. Existing pass holders can also renew their cards saving any processing fees. Dual Season Passes are available on site or by phone, toll free at (888) 754-7878. Operators are available 7 days-a-week from 8:00am to 3:00pm.
There is a $10.00 processing fee for all new passes purchased. If you’ve been on the fence and looking for a great deal to get you back on the snow, this is it! The Dual Season Pass to Mountain High. Two
seasons for the price of one.

For more information or to schedule and interview, please contact Kim Hermon, Marketing Manager at (760) 316-7830 or kim_hermon@mthigh.com

LEO ROMERO Skater of The Year on Cover of Thrasher Magazine

Thrasher Magazine April 2011 Leo Romero SOTYEven though Emerica pro Leo Romero got the Skater Of The Year at the end of last year, he hasn't slowed down one bit. The newest Thrasher magazine Skater of the Year issue (April 2011) has Leo on the cover, as well as a 16 page interview with a lot more carnage. Check for the new Thrasher in your local skateshop for more Leo.

Very Emotional Day at the 2011 ASP Awards

It's official. The 2010 Year of Surfing is over. The last year's World Surfing Champions, Kelly Slater and Stephanie Gilmore were finally handed their trophies.

In an event described as "surfing's night of nights," the ASP World Surfing Awards was held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center with all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect.


As 2009 champion, it was Mick Fanning's task to present Kelly Slater with his 2010 trophy. Fanning joked that he was just 10 years old when Kelly won his first title in 1992. Of course, earlier recipient of the 2010 World Tour Rookie of the Year award, Owen Wright, had gone one better, declaring that he was just one year old when Slater had won his first.

Slater and Gilmore, there's 14 world titles among them. In an off-the-cuff acceptance speech, Slater thanked all the normal crew, his girlfriend Kalani, his mum back home in Florida, Travis from Channel Islands, his "boyfriend on tour" Belly, and then got down to trying to describe the emotions of winning his tenth world title. He held it together, cracking jokes and ribbing a few people along the way until he tried to put into words his feelings about actually sealing the title in Puerto Rico last year alongside the death of Andy Irons.
 
Slater's acceptance speech lost momentum as he struggled to fight back tears before he finally came out with, " I'm such a competitive guy, but a big part of my competitive urges died with Andy ... I dedicate this award to him."

Kelly couldn't go on before a crowd that was moved to silence. He held his trophy aloft, turned his back on the audience and was consoled by close friend and emcee for the night, Sal Masekela. A few minutes later, still visibly upset, Slater was back in the spotlight with Stephanie Gilmore holding their trophies high to end the official part of the night.

Behind the scenes, with his thoughts of Andy still very much in the front of his mind, he opened up in an interview. "The rivalry with Andy definitely kept me hungry because it pissed me off so badly." He was such a dick to me, you know. He just got under my skin and I got under his skin and we just went at it. I think it was really hard for us to put down our egos and be friends. Eventually we did put them away and became friends, but it was like 'I'll do it if you do it,' and it was this weird stand off thing. I think we always had a friendship underneath it all."

"There were times where I was so annoyed by the guy," he continued. "I couldn't believe people liked him because he made me so mad, and I'm sure he felt the same way about me. Then when I got to see a different side of Andy it was almost the reverse. It was like 'I can't even believe that I didn't like this guy.' He was so classic. He was like a little kid, and I think that's what I didn't understand about him in the first place. He was very young and he might have been almost immature, but that's what kept him hungry and competitive and when he was winning it was almost like 'These are my toys so don't touch them.' It was like a primal instinctual thing. I told him a number of times he reminded me of my older brother, and our relationship was like a family relationship I'd had in my life forever ... there is just a lot of emotion there. It's just weird to say goodbye to him. Tonight bought a lot of things back, and in a way it was like saying goodbye to him."

Finally Slater found himself once again at a loss for words, his thoughts of Irons and their times on the tour together created a silence that had to be filled by a change of questions. The moment had passed.

In the next room the Awards were over and the after-party was starting. The music got louder, Slater became restless, and the intimacy that was there at the beginning of the interview disappeared as the room filled with people bustling around and breaking in to ask some of the same dumb questions that seem to dog dog him wherever he goes: "Did Quiksilver pay you 10 million dollars?" or "When are you going to retire?"

Slater was over it and took a pass. The night was moving on and his tears for Andy had dried up. There is no doubt the rivalry between the two was the greatest pro surfing has seen, but in an answer to an earlier question, Slater had suggested that Owen Wright and Jordy Smith could create their own rivalry that could be compared to his and Andy's.

Surfing's "Night Of Nights" is a clichéd term, but a quick scan of the list of recipients receiving awards tonight links together 20 years of professional surfing. Slater accounts for a lot of those years, while the rest go out to the future of pro surfing.

Awards Recipient List:
2010 ASP World Champion: Kelly Slater (USA)
2010 ASP Women's World Champion: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2010 ASP World Tour Runner-Up: Jordy Smith (ZAF)
2010 ASP Women's World Tour Runner-Up: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2010 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year: Owen Wright (AUS)
2010 ASP Women's World Tour Rookie of the Year: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2010 ASP World Tour Breakthrough Performer: Alejo Muniz (BRA)
2010 ASP Women's World Tour Breakthrough Performer: Laura Enever (AUS)
2010 ASP World Longboard Champion: Duane DeSoto (HAW)
2010 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion: Cori Schumacher (HAW)
2010 ASP World Junior Champion: Jack Freestone (AUS)
2010 ASP Women's World Junior Champion: Alizee Arnaud (FRA)