Video – 2010 Billabong Bro Down
As luck would have it amidst changeable Spring conditions the Billabong Bro Down and Von Zipper Rail Shred went off at Snow Park NZ this weekend. A field of around 50 riders showed up to compete in the events on Friday and Saturday.
After Big Air practise on Friday everyone converged in the Woolshed at Snow Park to watch the Von Zipper Rail Shred take place on the infamous Stair Set. The shredders attacked to handrail and ledges from the get-go stomping some tech tricks hoping to claim the Airfares on offer from Pacific Blue and the cash for best trick. Nick Poohachoff ( USA) was throwing every trick in the book at it from the very start and went on to claim best trick and overall in the Open Men’s division. In the Women’s it was Christy Prior (NZ) who put it on the line to claim overall and Stefi Luxton (NZ) walked away with best trick. Jay Walsh took out the Junior Men’s division in both best trick and overall.
On Saturday as the riders rolled into the Park the jump was looking perfect, a solid 20m table awaited groomed and ready for action. Wind and weather threatened in the morning but against all odds the conditions stayed calm and the cloud layer opened up allowing the riders to perform at their best. The qualifying round was a flurry of 9’s and 10’s, even some double back Rodeo’s were getting put down in the the Open Men’s with 3’s, 5’s and backside rodeo’s being landed in the Women’s. The top six Men and top three Women advanced to the final in which they were given 3 judged runs with their best counting towards the final score.
In the end it was Local rider Jake Koia (NZ) who took the top spot on the podium with a huge, flawless frontside 1080 melon, following him was Seppe Smits (BEL) with a buttery Cab 9 and rounding out the top 3 in the Open Men’s was Dave Schmidt Rodriguez who was throwing sick front 9’s and 10s off the toes. In the Women’s it was standout rider Klaudia Medlova who took first spot with her huge smooth backside rodeo, Rebecca Torr (NZ) came in at 2nd with a stylish back 3 melon after not quite stomping a cab 5 and Silvia Mittermueller took out 3rd place after not quite putting down her big frontside 7’s. All riders also claimed valuable TTR points at this early stage on the TTR World Tour.
As the dust settles all that remains is the notorious Billabong Bro Down after-party held in the Woolshed at Snow Park NZ, all competitors and friends alike will party in true Billabong fashion to the sounds of DJ’s and top NZ band ‘Kids in Space’ until the bell tolls. Once again The Billabong Bro Down proves it’s place as one of the most fun and rider-friendly events of the season with competitors and spectators alike all walking away stoked on the weekends events. The Billabong Bro Down pres. by SONY is also supported by Monster, Von Zipper, Pacific Blue, NZ Pure and Snow Park NZ.
