Snowboarding in Florida: Red Bull Butter Cup Comp

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Red Bull came to West Palm Beach and 70 F temperatures to have a snowboarding competition. About 3000 people were estimated to have come down to watch this unique event.



The setup was next to the Intracoastal and within a mile of the beach. The setup seemed easier to put together than you might think. Some off the shelf scaffolding, plywood ramp and a lot of ice = instant snowboarding hill.



The layout
Photo: Red Bull Photo Profiles



They had pros and amateurs competing including some local riders.



A local guy hits the slider while our own kiter Grace captures the action on her GoPro. Grace is with Peter Glenn which was a sponsor of the event.



Ian came up from UM and his normal kiting grounds to compete as well. Looking good!



So, lets have a look at the action through some still shots. The is the first competitive downhill snow event that comes to mind in SE Florida.










A look at things before the start of the competition.
Click photo for full sized image




Some guys wore helmets, some did not. That is surprising considering the poor slope conditions (what else would you expect in 70 F?), hard sliders and thin to no snow over the stopping grass and concrete paver walkway area. Maybe they might consider requiring them next time as a part of routine risk management. A thicker base or other impact provision over the hard stuff like the walk would be a good idea too.



There were some wipeouts, painful at times like on the regular slopes but everyone took it like a champ and no serious injuries occurred.



Pro rider John Sinchok just floats along, great style.



Pro rider Damon Thompson explodes up and over.



John makes controlled stop in the grass. Some didn't end quite so cleanly, boards just don't slide well on sod.




















Ian comes in for a landing.






The Butter Cup guys.



Every once in a while you will see some excellent uniform white light illumination like in this shot. This was not my dinky external strobe at work but two high capacity high tripod mounted strobes being used by the dedicated Red Bull photographer. He did a nice job shooting the Wake of Fame event in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Thanks for the extra light!



This guy is coming in hard, almost took out a video camera on a tripod.






Cowabunga! It would be interesting to have a booster ramp at the bottom of the run followed by a drop into the Intracoastal. Combined snow and water sports.



Rich Currier is up, eventually taking first place in the amateur division.




Lots of great balance out there.









The only woman in the competition strangely enough considering the large quantity of snowboarders down here. She was quite a trooper.










Kristian Sarmiento eventually takes third in the amateur division.







Grace photographs from the base of the course while the ultimate pro winner, Cody Elhert, catches his breath.






There was even a very determined mobility challenged rider who hit the slopes repeatedly.







The event went on past sunset to about 7:30 pm, even past a short light rain.



Great athletes in a unusual setting. You can see the melt water on the grass.










Near the finals the guys were hitting it particularly hard. You could see the exertion, sweat and fatigue starting to set in but they guys still rode strong.






Red Bull pumped out tunes throughout via they mobile boom box aka urban assault vehicle.



Slow strobe recycle but the image is interesting all the same.






Damon is making even grass work.



Nice gap.






A near 180 degree view from the top before the final rounds.
Click photo for full sized image






Rich Currier riding aggressively with style took second in the amateur division.



The amateur winners with Blake Hickey winning first, Rich Currier second place and Kristian Sarmiento taking third. Thanks to Judge Ron Lamb for the specifics!



The pro winners, including Cody Ehlert taking first, John Sinchok in second and Damon Thompson taking third.


Many thanks to Red Bull, Peter Glenn and all the sponsors for bringing this unusual event to Florida! For more info on future Butter Cup competitions around the country checkout: http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satelli...01242934335907


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