WhiteNoize The Noize from the UK snow scene
Jenny Jones
Gonzilla.tv
Julian Ball 1
Contents 03 EDitors letter / contriibutors 07 News 8 Rider Profiles - Ellie Soutter 10 Rider Profiles - Matt Corry 14 Event Highlights 36 Jenny Jones - Interview 40 Gonzilla.tv - Interview 46 Julian Ball - Feature 52 Katie Blundell - Interview 56 Diary 2
Editors Letter This issue marks our second birthday. It’s been two years since our first issue and in that time we’ve featured and interviewed some of the UK’s biggest names, athletes and brands, including the likes of Billy Morgan, James Woods, FBBB, Aimee Fuller, Butta and WBB. We’ve also covered some of the biggest events and competitions such as Freeze, THE BRITS, Morrow Jam and the Burton Hi 5.
Contributors
If you feel like you’ve missed out on some of that goodness from past issues, you can always re-read old issues at www.whitenoizemag.co.uk/past-issues. In this issue we continue our traditions with features from Jenny Jones, Gonzilla.tv, THE BRITS… Well, we don’t want to spoil it, get reading! This season was kicked off in style with most of Europe treated to almost daily fresh pow dumps, which never seemed to actually end. Even mid April resorts were reporting late season dumps! It wasn’t only the traditional snow resorts that received the good stuff, the UK was coated in white powder several times throughout the cold winter months. The social media cloud was full of stories and tales of UK shreds, urban edits and street rails. Check out the photo on the next page taken by Sam Kerr – a group of mates making the most of the UK snow, building a kicker in the back garden and having some fun – the UK street scene captured in an image, it sums up this winter perfectly!
Front Cover Photograph by Laura Clayton
e Laura Clayton e e Sam Kerr e e Rich Clark e e Ellie Soutter e
e Padraig McMorrow e e Matt Corry e e Nick Law e e Grant Donald e e Butta e e the-brits.com e e Nick Atkins e e Sam Mellish e e Jenny Jones e e Gonzilla.tv e e Julian Ball e e Ben Sutton e e Ed Ayres e e Katie Blundell e e James Bryant e e Mark Imanul e
Harri Bennett - Editor
Contact Send your contributions, photos, comments, queries, praise and abuse to Editor@whitenoizemag.co.uk Follow us on twitter - @WhiteNoize_Mag and find us on Facebook Find all the issues at www.WhiteNoizemag.co.uk Download the App from itunes - search WhiteNoize
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Photograph by Sam Kerr Rider: Max Presky
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Photograph by Rich Clark Rider: Jake Terry
News e Manchester’s Chill Factor recently broke the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people to perform the same trick at a single venue. Beating the previous record of 50, 54 snowboarders successfully pulled off an Indy Grab. e Jamie Barrow, member of the British Snowboardcross team sets the new British Snowboard Speed record at 151.6 km/h e Celtek UK pick up Scott Walsh e Mikee Cee and Jonny Pickup join Amplid’s UK team. e Westbeach welcome Sabrina Burnham to the UK team e Freeze festival is back for another year but with an all new format and location for 2013
e Six people were injured and 36 rescued after a chairlift derailed at the Lecht Ski Centre in Aberdeenshire. e Katie Ormerod becomes the fifth woman in the world to land a double backflip, aged just 15! e Hillend gets a new nursery slope e The second FIS (Federation International de Ski) World Snow Day saw over 1500 skiers and boarders taking to the slopes at CairnGorm Mountain. e Sheffield Ski Village’s owner says unlikely to ever reopen. e Becky Menday 4th in 3Star Billabong Flaunt It in Canada.
Photograph by Laura Clayton7
Rider Profiles Name? Ellie Soutter Age? 12 (13 in July) Discipline? Boardercross Sponsors? Stardust Factory beanies, Bombay Ski Club restaurant When and how did you get into snowboarding? I’d been skiing since the age of three, but I never really enjoyed it. I had the chance to try snowboarding when I was 9 at school and I’ve never set foot on my skis again. I was totally hooked from the very first day. I’ve been really lucky to have the opportunity to try both skiing and snowboarding and I know that you’ve got to want to progress and become good at something for it to happen.
Future aspirations? Before this winter ends I want to nail my 360s. Once they’re in the bag I’m going to start working on my freestyle skills. I always like to have little targets or objectives whenever I ride and train. Ultimately I want to be at the 2018 Winter Olympics and everything I do between now and then focuses on this!
What attracted you to BoarderCross? I like the combination of loads of different snowboarding disciplines. Boardercross combines slaloms, banks and features and there’s always something new to learn. There are some great boardercross parks in the area, such as in Avoriaz and they all hold some amazing competitions during the winter season.
Favourite place to ride? Mont Chery on a powder day and then laps of Les Gets. It’s a great ski area with some nice off-piste, loads of trees and some great bowls to play in.
What have you been up to this season? When I heard that the GB Boardercross Team had based themselves in the area for the season I trained and practiced loads by myself in the hope that they’d spot me! They invited me to train with them and then I joined the team! I’m still ridiculously excited about it… I’ve been training loads and getting ready to compete at the Brits in Tignes. How did it feel being selected for the GB team? Wow, it’s actually difficult for me to explain (the smile says it all really!). They called my dad and told him, when he told me I couldn’t really believe it. No one else was really that surprised though, they’d seen how well I was riding at the start of the winter and pretty much knew it would happen!
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Plans for the summer and next season? I’ll be training with the team somewhere, maybe Austria or over on the glacier in Tignes. I get the feeling that it’s not all about time on the snow though! I’ve already learnt that snowboarding and progression is all about having a positive attitude and taking inspiration and encouragement from the people around you.
Favourite course? The boardercross in Avoriaz.
Who’s your inspiration? Deborah Anthonioz, she won a silver medal for boardercross at the 2010 Winter Olympics as part of the French national team and she really made a name for herself in a team full of skiiers. I also really like Eisla Tiddling, she’s a young snowboarder who sets a great example of what you can achieve if you work hard. Most stoked moment? Finding out I’d made the GB team. I’d been practicing and training all by myself, and really focusing on making it happen. I really hope to have more moments like that from snowboarding in the future!
Photograph by Padraig McMorrow
Photograph by Padraig McMorrow 9
Rider Profiles NAME: Matt Corry Age: 16 Setup: Board: Ride Machete 2014, Bindings: Ride Delta Movement, Boots: Ride lasso boots Sponsors? Ride snowboards, 3CS, BawBags, Freeze Pro Shop, D4SEVEN Local slope? B-den (bearsden ski club) Dryslope or Indoor? Indoor for rails and Dryslope for kicker riding. You definitely need a mix! When and how did you get into snowboarding? When I was 8 my mum was doing her finals at university. Me, my dad and sister went on a snowboarding holiday to visit my dads friend who was a seasonaire and to give my mum peace to study. This was my first time snowboarding. What did you get up to this season? I Went to Hintertux pre season for a week with the GB junior team. I went to Mayerhofen for nearly a month from the end of January till mid February. Then I went back out to Mayrhofen for week and then I stayed there for another week with the GB junior team. Favorite place to ride? Mayrhofen!
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Photograph by Nick Law
Most stoked moment? Finding out I was on the Junior GB team. What are your plans for the summer and then next season? Over summer I want to spend a few weeks riding a glacier somewhere. Next season I want to spend as much time as I can in Mayrhofen and Hintertux learning new stuff on the kickers and rails. Favorite trick? Back side 7 nose bleed Any new tricks you want? Cab 9 Who’s your inspiration? All snowboarding Videos on the internet. I watch a lot of them and the always make me want to ride. Favourite riding songs this season? 1. It's Like That - Jay-Z, Kid Capri 2. Can't Stop Us - Jucy J 3. Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar What do you love about the UK scene? The competitions. That is where I first met other riders which I am now close friends with. Like Matt’s Facebook page to keep up to date and see his latest videos and images. Instagram? @mattcorry Twitter? @mattcorrry
Photograph by Grant Donald
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Photograph by Grant Donald 13
e Highlights
Scottish Freestyle Championships The Scottish Freestyle Championships rolled into Cairngorm Mountain for another huge event, with over 60 competitors all ready to battle it out for a title. The park crew stepped it up to shape what was called the best park yet.
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Vaila Chapman stomped a front 5 and some handy rail skills to claim the women’s title. Big things were being pulled in all the men’s categories, Fin Bremner turned a few heads with a Back 9 Tail Tweak to win the Under 16’s and was also crowned overall champion.
Snowboard Results Women 1st – Vaila Chapman 2nd – Abbie Dorward 3rd – Emma Swanson
Ski Results Women 1st – Eve Mackenzie 2nd – Kirsty Muir 3rd – Chloe Szafranek
Men 1st – Fin Bremner 2nd – Sam McGrath 3rd – Billy Cockrell
Men 1st – Chris McCormick 2nd – Brendan Smith 3rd – Kyle Beattie
Photograph by Nick Law
Photograph by Nick Law
Photograph by Nick Law 15
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Photograph by Nick Law
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BUTTA TAKEOVER CASTLEFORD SNOZONE On the 25th January Butta took over Snozone to host their very own freestyle jam session and after party. With a prize bag worth over £500 there was plenty of swag handed out to deserving riders. DJ Step One played on the slope all night and then into the after party, ION cameras were there demoing their cameras, D4seven had a stand up, and Minus 9 were there with a demo fleet of board. Over 200 riders turned out
but it was Cerys Allen who claimed the big prize – a £500 flight voucher from cheapflights.com
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Photograph supplied by Butta 19
RIDE VS K2 TAMWORTH SNOWDOME
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Photograph by Laura Clayton
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Photograph: Sam Mellish www.the-brits.com 23
e Highlights
The Brits For 2013 The Brits made it´s return to Tignes and saw record-breaking crowds. By day, party goers hit the slopes and the Championships showcased some of the UK’s finest talent. Olympians and Team GB riders Ben Kilner, Aimee Fuller, Billy Morgan, Katie Ormerod and Murray Buchan were joined by 100 UK hopefuls for five days of freestyle competition.
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After a long day on the hill revelers were treated to sets and performances from a wide range of acts, including the likes of The Nextman and Lazy Habits, as well as the now famous 90’s disco. For a range of results, highlights, videos and photo’s check out www.the-brits.com
Protest Slopestyle Snowboard Women 1st – Katie Blundell 2nd – Nathalie Silkstone 3rd – Katie Wood
Protest Slopestyle Ski Women 1st – Madi Rowlands 2nd – Anna Vincenti 3rd – Chloe Hardy
Men 1st – Sam Turnbull 2nd – George Scott 3rd – Andy Nudds
Men 1st – Julian Ball 2nd – Michael Rowlands 3nd – Tom Coe
Bangers & Cash Rail Jam Snowboard Women 1st – Becky Menday 2nd – Katie Blundell 3rd – Sabrina Burnham
Bangers & Cash Rail Jam Ski Women 1st – Katie Summerhayes 2nd – Anna Vincenti 3rd – Molly Summerhayes
Men 1st – Andy Nudds 2nd – Lewis Sonvico 3rd – Jamie Trinder
Men 1st – Chris McCormick 2nd – Michael Rowlands 3rd – Julian Ball
Dare2b Halfpipe Snowboard Women 1st – Katie Ormerod 2nd – Katie Foster 3rd – Nathalie Silkstone
Dare2b Halfpipe Ski Women 1st – Em Lonsdale 2nd – Molly Summerhayes 3rd – Madi Rowlands
Men 1st – Ben Kilner 2nd – Dan Wakeham 3rd – Henry Shackleton
Men 1st - Murray Buchan 2nd – Peter Speight 3rd – Robert Machon
Photograph: Nick Atkins www.the-brits.com
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Photograph: Sam Mellish Rider: Becky Menday www.the-brits.com
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e Highlights Tresspass Snowboardcross Kids Women 1st – Ellie Soutter 2nd – Cerys Allen 3rd – Masie Hill
Tresspass Snowboardcross Kds Men 1st – Kealan Venning 2nd – Tomski Robinson 3rd – Koby Cook
Youth Women 1st – Alexandra Entwistle 2nd – Amber Cordingley
Youth Men 1st – Glen Ironside 2nd – Bradley Gaulter 3rd – Jacob Robertson
Master Women 1st – Corinne Mayhew 2nd – Amy Butler 3rd – Claire Collis Overall Women 1st – Maisie Potter 2nd Ro Kealey 3rd - Ayla Thidling
Junior Men 1st – James Bickley 2nd – Sam Jones 3rd – Michael Hawkes Overall Men 1st – James Foster 2nd – Ross Taylor 3rd – Kyle Wise
Tresspass Skiercross Kids Women 1st – Madi Rowlands 2nd – Thea Fenwick 3rd – Eve Mackenzie
Tresspass Skiercross Kids Men 1st – Sam Gaskin 2nd – Haydyn Fiori 3rd – Eden Potter
Youth Women 1st – Emma Peters 2nd – Molly Summerhayes
Youth Men 1st – William Feneley 2nd – Luke Feneley 3rd – Michael Rowlands
Junior Women 1st – Isabella Cozzi Overall Women 1st – Emily Sarsfield 2nd – Tori Collins 3rd – Liz Stevenson
Junior Men 1st – Marcus Williams 2nd – Oliver Chalkley 3rd – Edward Salisbury Master Men 1st – Tim Ackroyd 2nd – Nicko Brooko 3rd – Tristan Brookes Overall Men 1st – Edward Drake 2nd – Sam Gerrett 3rd – Danny Crompton
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Photograph: Nick Atkins www.the-brits.com 29
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Photograph: Nick Atkins www.the-brits.com 31
e Highlights
Vans Hi Standard On Saturday 6th April the Vans Hi Standard hit Scotland for the last stop of the 2013 series, and it went out with a bang; the last Van Doren Style Dollars were spread, the most stylish moves rewarded and the blow from the Worst Slam softened by a little recognition. Amazingly the sun was shining down all day. The park crew had created a truly epic set-up, matching the likes of the European resorts and made for a comp of very high standards. Amongst the more established riders, young rippers and rail kids from across the country were out in force, over 50 riders signed up for the event. This last stop of newly established Vans Hi Standard series started with a kicker session on the big booter where Scottish locals Jamie Trinder and Danny McCormick were killing it, after a quick lunch the comp moved on to the rails. Ten year old Will Gimore was impressing the crowds with his no fear approach and Yorkshire local Ian Ashmore threw down his trademark gap to front board on the down-flatdown.
Images supplied by Vans 32
The event closed with the big and popular Van Doren BBQ and prize giving at the infamous ˙doo˙, where a great after-party took place. Celebrating the Vans Off The Wall spirit at its best, riders and spectators partied in to the small hours. Results: Paul Edwards - Best Slam Danny McCormick - Best BS180 from Dragon and Best over 16 Jacob Roberson - Best under 16 Best lady - Rio Peterson
Images supplied by Vans
Images supplied by Vans33
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Photograph by Sam Kerr Rider: Rich Clark 35
Photograph by Richard Clark
Jenny Jones
Jenny Jones may just be the UK’s most famous snowboarder, she’s definitely the most successful. Since entering the competitive scene in 1999 she’s won countless big air and slopestyle contests and titles including three X Games gold medals. Now, well on her way on the road to the 2014 Winter Olympics, we chat to her about training, competing and life on the road.
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How did it feel finding out that that Slopestyle had finally been added to the Olympic disciplines? It was a mixture of thoughts really, I was obviously stoked because I would be able to have a crack at going to the Olympics for my country in a sport I love but also I was aware that women’s slopestyle would change slightly as it was now going to have governing bodies and more coaches and funding and politics involved, and I wondered how that might effect things...
Tell us what you›ve been up to this season in the run up to Sochi 2014, how has it differed to other seasons? Well usually I focus on a bit of filming and then competing in X Games and one or two of the opens, however this year I decided to spend more time just riding and then competing in the world cup qualifiers for Sochi. I still found time for a quick backcountry trip to Silverton, Colorado which was a great break from riding park and contests. Have you stepped up / changed the way you train? Not really, I have always just gone snowboarding as much as I can in the winter, taking small breaks here and there for bumps and bruises. I have been improving my fitness pre season so I was stronger and fitter going into 2013 which I think has helped.
Do you feel any added pressure now that you´re a potential ´Olympian´? At this moment in time not too much as I feel there are several other athletes on the team who are doing well, gaining great results and in the limelight which is awesome for British snowboarding and also spreads the coverage amongst us. We all know what there´s very little government funding in freestyle snowsports, there has however been some improvement in the run up to Sochi - has this extra influx had any impact on your training and development? I think the support we have been given is really good and I have definitely benefited from having the extra support as far as physio and dry-land training support goes, I am not a spring chicken and so my body needs a little extra care these days.
“If I make it to Sochi I am excited to just simply experience a Winter Olympics in my snowboarding career“ Are there any new tricks you›re working on getting? Even though I have been trying the front 900 I feel it is not in my bag of tricks just yet so I have been working on this. I have also been trying to get more comfortable on all types of rails and that is gradually improving. I have found I am enjoying them a lot more where as before I would always favour the jumps, I seem to hit everything in the park now. This season you seemed to be competing in a different country every day - has it been a bit of a whirlwind or is this just the norm for you? There has been a little more travelling in tight time scales this year. I would normally travel a fare bit each year but this year has definitely been a bit more random with the resorts i have gone to, Czech and Spain for example. It´s nice to see other places but definitely random places to have a slopestyle world cup haha! P.S the fresh orange juice in Spain is amazing.
Apart from competing, what are you most excited about for Sochi? If I make it to Sochi I am excited to just simply experience a Winter Olympics in my snowboarding career, something I have never done before. What are your plans for the summer? I am looking forward to surfing as always, I love getting down to the coast and enjoying the beach life. I usually head to Cornwall or Devon in my van and try to get in the water as much as possible. Every year I try to improve my surfing but it always takes longer than I expect so no doubt this year will be exactly the same, however my enthusiasm for surfing never waivers. Roll on summer.
Interview by Harri Bennett
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Photograph by Rich Clark Rider: James Hull
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James Haggerty and Sean Miller are the duo behind Gonzilla.TV – the online video and content portal for the snowboarding community. You may recognize these guys from their days working on Shred, Lies and Videotape (SLV) for Fear of the Park, but once that was done they decided to go it alone and so started Gonzilla. Aside from undertaking projects for brands and events, the pair’s main passion lies in producing their own edits and films showcasing the true spirit of UK snowboarding. The regular ‘Gonzilla.TV Show’ brings us the latest happenings from the UK scene along with a side dish of humor and opinions from the presenters and creators. Their crowd sourced film ‘Portrait’ showcases British snowboarding – from indoor to dry slope, street to park, to powder and beyond. Their original features highlight the independence, creativeness and uniqueness of our homegrown community whilst aiding and promoting the raw talent from within. We chat to both James and Sean about all things Gonzilla. Tell us exactly what Gonzilla.TV means to you guys? J: GONZILLA.TV is like an annoying sister that doesn´t leave us alone - no matter how much we give her Chinese burns. But if anybody messes with her we will defend her to the death with swords and large medieval spiky things!
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S: For me it’s our opportunity to create a snowboard media hub, the way we want. It’s MPORA without the bullshit and adverts. What got you into filming and presenting? J: Filming and editing was my job long before we started GONZILLA.TV - back when people watched square shaped things called televisions, which were like YouTube but you had to watch what `The Man´ told you to watch. All of `The Men´ are now either dead or in prison for touching kids, which says a lot for the future being better. Erm, I got a job in a production company and learned all there is to learn. Then I found snowboarding and put it all together. S: I started off snowboarding, I got good, but not good enough, so I starting writing for a couple of snowboard magazines and then I met up with James and he gave me a microphone at the boardtest and I just spoke. To be honest Haggerty does all the tough work, so if you think what we do is good or if you like anything it’s basically all down to him. I’m an idiot. What have you been up to this season? J: Absolutely LOADS, and then not much, really! We started our season in September with the GONZILLA.TV INVITATIONAL and PORTRAIT premiere - which was mental & amazing and a bit scary all rolled into one night, but we were so stoked with how it all went. Then we did the Capita Tour, which involved stalking Jess, Scott, Joni and the crew around the UK filming them everywhere they went. We shot so much that Sean still hasn´t finished the edits.
There´s a Russian director called Andrei Tarkovsky who wore a lot of double denim and made films in the cold war era. He spent a year in the Russian countryside shooting his film `Stalker´ only to find on getting back to Moscow that the film stock had a defect and was ruined. I like to compare our Capita production to that. Most of the crew including Tarkovsky later died from horrific illnesses caused by exposure to nasty shit from a chemical plant located where they were filming.
shred and helped out Jamie Durham and Nuddsy with some more Grindhouse filming. Then I´ve just been back to Cairngorm for the Vans Hi Standard Series, which was just incredible - banging park with perfect kickers, loads of snow, sun and the funniest banter and after party I´ve ever been to. It was like The Hangover part three. S: I did everything that James said up until that fucking Whitelines thing. Christ. Never again.
“GONZILLA.TV is like an annoying sister that doesn’t leave us alone - no matter how much we give her Chinese burns.“ We did the Whitelines November Knockout Tour, which was another epic journey around the UK and a lot of fun banter, although we got into trouble through no fault of our own. OK it was Sean´s fault, but definitely not mine. Those guys hate us now. OOPS.
After that I’ve been learning more about motion graphics and doing more corporate stuff to pay the bills. I’ve not really done anything snowboard wise since November. I did get asked to do some last minute MC stuff, but I just couldn’t get it in my schedule.
Then in January the snow came to the UK, so we got out filming some street stuff in Tamworth and Leeds with John Weatherley, Jamie Nicholls, Doug Johnson, Thrashmore and a few locals - it was like Grindhouse´s second unit!
As well as your regular shows rounding up all the UK scene´s happenings you also get round to filming various documentaries, do you spend your whole life filming and editing? J: Yep. Pretty much! When it´s not Gonzilla stuff it´s disgusting wanky corporate films and cable TV documentaries.
I also went up to Cairngorm in Scotland to film a mini documentary with Jamie Trinder before he went off for his season, Avoriaz for a cheeky
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S: Again James really does all the work for those, we loosely script a few ideas and talk through a running order, but James edits everything and makes it work. The man’s a movie-making machine, I’m just trying to keep up with him.
What are your plans for the summer and next season? J: Over summer I need to earn a shit ton of cash as this season with Gonzilla has broken us and it´s not even funny how poor I am.
Anything you´re particularly excited about right now? J: The Snowboard Test - that will be killer, though I refuse to refer to it by it´s new title as I´m not an American meat head jock. Might as well call it `RAA FEST´. And the new Black Magic Cameras they´re exciting, if a tad geeky.
Next season I´m probably going to live in the mountains somewhere. Just build a hut and grow a massive beard, eat berries and listen to the sounds of nature. Or just move to Morzine and get wrecked.
S: There’s a few things and a couple of ideas brewing. When my non-snowboard life dies down a little bit James and I will get together and talk through some plans and what we can do this summer.
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S: Right I’m going to throw this out there. I’m not filming one fucking shitty competition this summer. Instead I want to make original features again, or maybe more collaborations like we did with Burton’s/Spin Trading’s Home Grown series. Straight up, I’m sick of competitions, hopefully James feels the same way.
As for the winter I have no idea. I’d like to get away filming on a few trips, or I’d like to at least still be making snowboard films in the winter. For the past few years we’ve been making everything for everyone else and we’ve (or at least I have) lost my mojo for film making. I hope that this summer/winter we get the balance back again and start making snowboard films that we like just for fun again. I think James is thinking about moving to the mountains, God knows why, it’s really cold and expensive there. He should just move to Tamworth!! Any tips for those wanting to get into filming and editing? J: Yep - the old cliché I´m afraid - just get out there and do it. It´s the only way. The more you do, the more you learn how things work - what
works, what´s terrible and you should never attempt again. Also just read and watch stuff on the internet. There´s really no excuse. I think if you´re passionate about something you will do all that anyway because you can´t not. That´s when you know. Deep. S: Yeah, keep it short and simple. Just do the basics well and you’ll be fine, don’t try too hard. Also if anyone ever has any questions then just drop us a line, we’ll probably reply.
Interview by Harri Bennett Images supplied by Gonzilla.tv
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Photograph by Laura Clayton
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Chasing Winter Julian Ball is one of the few lucky ones who manage to live out their days riding out the good stuff. As well as a competitive skier he is also team manager for Planks Clothing. This winter you may have seen him in Val d’Isere, cruising the park and exploring the backcountry, or maybe at The Brits taking first place in the Ski Slopestyle. We chat to Julian about life on the road, comps and life on the mountain Age? - 28 Sponsors? Liberty Skis, Marker Bindings, Dalbello Boots, Giro, Planks Clothing, FD Wear, Forcefield Body Armour, Alpoholics Chalets, Hero Energy & Ellis Brigham Stores. This season was epic because? For the most part I´ve been injury free and therefore I´ve been able to remain fit and do lots of different skiing in different resorts. Whether it´s been shredding neck deep powder locally in Val d´Isere or riding different parks across Europe I have so many fond memories. Most stoked moment? There´s two moments that stand out at different ends of the spectrum. Winning The Brits Slopestyle was a genuine surprise so it was a little overwhelming at the time! But the most enjoyment I´ve had whilst skiing was in December riding the deepest pow of my life. Every turn was a face shot and despite how tiring it was I never stopped smiling... It was blissfully quiet on the hill so we had pow run after pow run all to ourselves. Favourite event of the season? There´s always a few I enjoy. The Park 9 event in Verbier is always good fun. It´s a different format to other comps and is always enjoyable - well worth checking out. The Brits is always a favourite. It´s good to see everyone from the British snow sports industry and ride with people you often don´t get the opportunity to. Lastly I´d have to say the Monoski World Championships. This year it lived up to expectations and I was over the moon to take home my second title!
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Plans for summer? I have a few options and havent yet made any decisions. Possibly New Zealand, Hossegor, working on the boats or a summer on the glacier in Deux Alpes with the Alpoholics crew! At the moment NZ is looking the most likely. Such an amazing country! Plans for next season? Ill be based back in Val dIsere. This resort has so much to offer me and I really want to explore the backcountry and transfer some of my park skills to more remote parts of the mountain. Give us a run down of your season: Last season ended badly, at the Brits last year, I was riding the Big Air jump next to the half pipe in Laax. I was having such a fun day but after landing a Cork 7 Truck Driver my left ski sunk into the soft snow, as a result I was propelled onto my chest at full pelt! I crushed the entire left side of my body. The pain was unreal and I knew I had done internal damage. An hour later I had a basic diagnosis: a ruptured spleen and an infracted left kidney. I spent the best part of a month in hospitals in both France and Switzerland. Eventually I decided to have my spleen removed, once I had the op I was focused on recovery and getting my fitness back in a sensible amount of time. I had to cancel my trip to Mammoth but decided I could still do the season in New Zealand. Incredibly I was back skiing at the end of June. It was a horrific injury, an intense and frustrating month followed by what turned out to be a fairly quick recovery. Since it was a freak accident I was never psychologically effected and I´ve since had the best season yet. I feel stronger and closer to my goal of becoming decent at a wide variety of disciplines. At the start of this season I skied the best powder of my life. We opened new runs all day which hadnt yet been skied previously this year. In many places the snow was easily waist deep with each turn getting face-shots. Because of low visibility we spent most of our time in the trees but occasionally the visibility would improve and wed explore higher ground including a few shoots and more challenging bowls. In those days I barely crossed a track. It was incredible, so good in fact we only rarely took the time to stop and try and capture these amazing moments. I really cant wait to experience those conditions again.
During the season Julian was lucky enough to attend various competitions, he gives us the run down on what went on at a few of them. Park 9. I was in Verbier for the third edition of the Park 9 team competition. As team manager for the brand, naturally I organised a Planks Clothing team to go over and compete. I thought we had a strong team and our performance could have won but according to the judges we were only good enough for second. Stoked with 2nd, though it was a shame not to make it 3 years in a row at the top of the podium. It´s always such a fun contest and I cant wait to go back next year.
conditions. Being one of the heavier competitors I knew I´d be able to hold my speed on the flats before the jumps. Many of the kids struggled with speed, which meant they couldn´t throw down their biggest tricks. Using this to my advantage I tried to keep things pretty simple, going big, doing a variety of grabs and stomping my landings. In the final I had a more difficult run in mind and decided to mix up a few grabs but essentially keep the same run. By this time it was almost 4pm and a full days riding was starting to take it´s toll on my old, tiring legs. My second run wasn´t as clean so I was forced to stick with my first one.
“the snow was easily waist deep with each turn getting face-shots. “ Brits Bangers & Cash Rail Jam. Following that we had lot of bad weather and my legs were beat so I rested for a few days and had a few days in the park to try and prepare myself and be fit for the Brits the following week. First up was the Bangers and Cash rail jam supported by Skullcandy. At first look I honestly thought I didnt stand a chance knowing how high the standard of British rail skiing is. However, I managed to put down a bunch of runs and qualified for the finals. In the final I tried to keep it clean and consistent mixing up a variety of tricks on different features and it seemed to pay off as I was awarded with 3rd place. There were so many tech tricks being thrown down so again this was a bit of a surprise. Ride Her First Contest. The following night I competed in a local contest in Val dIsere called Ride Her First. There was a 50ft kicker built in the centre of town followed by a tech rail set up. I was the only British rider to be invited and it was a strong field of International Athletes. Though I didnt make the podium I earned a bit of cash with a bunch of crowd pleasers in the jam session. It was a fun contest and the event organisers said I have an invite for next year.
I hadn´t seen anyone else´s runs and wasn´t that happy with my own so I honestly didn´t expect a podium let alone 1st place! I was so stoked to come out on top and show the youngsters that there´s a few dinosaurs just about holding it together! Brits Big Air Invitational A couple of days later there was a rather informal Big Air Invitational. The format was designed to be fun. It was GB vs France with riders taking it in turns to do tricks and the crowd cheering/judging which team took the point. Half the French team didn´t show up so we had to make up a few of the numbers. It was a fun event. Riders were throwing backflips, frontflips, flatspins, cork 9´s and even a few moves from the 80´s. However the weather closed in out of nowhere and no final winner was decided.
Brits Slopestyle. The following day it was The Brits Slopestyle. The weather had been pretty dreadful all week so we were all stoked when the skies cleared for a perfect blue bird day with calm Photograph by Ben Sutton
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The Rat Race. After that there was a local contest known as The Rat Race. It´s a team contest and having local knowledge is essential. In your team you must have at least one snowboarder/skier and at least one boy/girl. At the start you’re given a list of roughly 15 cryptic clues including anagrams. Each answer is a place on the piste map or in town. You have to figure out the fastest route and get a photo of all your team at each cheque point at be first back to the Saloon Bar (the hosts) to down a pint to complete the challenge. This year after over 3.5 hours the first three teams came in only 3 minutes apart. We just about pipped the other two teams at the post and after legging it 100m from a bus in ski boots the last thing I wanted to do was down a pint! However it´s a coveted title in Val dIsere so I and the rest of the team were stoked with the win. Monoski World Championships. The format is turn up, sign up and have a beer! Names are drawn at random. An array of luminous outfits filled the arena (the Val Park) and the stage was set for one of the funniest days of the year. Though it is officially the World Championship it isn´t a particularly serious competition and therefore there´s a good variety in standard which makes for some hilarious races and spectacular crashes. Whilst waiting for the comp to start I got some time on the jumps and managed to pull a few backies. I managed to get through the early rounds and then it started to become more intense. In the semi´s I was up against tough competition from Jono Christer.
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Out of the corner of my eye I saw him take the best fall I´d seen all day. I laughed so much I had to slow down. In the Final I was up against Alex Allen, an accomplished monoskier. It was my day and I managed to get the win again. Congrats to Courtney Beattie who took home the ladies title for the second time. It was one of the funniest days of the year and I can´t wait till next year. In the last few weeks of the season I´ll be trying to shoot with my new GoPro 3 as much as possible. There´s a few funny edits Id like to make. Hopefully the guys in the park won´t be as lazy as usual towards the end of the season. There is still so much snow so I hope they make the effort to keep the park looking good. I´m really only a skier because of the enjoyment I get out of it. I´m incredibly grateful to be able to lead a lifestyle that I love so much. I´m based in Val d´Isere and I can see myself being here for a while. It´s got incredible terrain, a good park and a fantastic community. Now I´m getting a bit older I´m looking to spend more time in the backcountry and spending more time working within the freeski community. I currently work as Team Manager for Planks Clothing and I´m curious to get into event management and coaching. There´s a possibility I may work with the organisers of the Park 9 contest in Verbier to try and expand the competition and turn it into a tour. Watch this space!
Photograph by Ed Ayres
Photograph by Ed Ayres
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Photograph by Richard Clark Rider: Angus Leith 51
Katie Blundell Katie Blundell is one of the UK’s finest female snowboarding exports and has a string of titles and sponsors under her belt. For the last couple of years she’s been chasing winter around the world, from Europe and America to Australia, she’s been living yearlong winters, and with her recent win at The BRITS in the Protest Slopestyle Championshipsit’s, it´s obviously helped with her progression. We chat to Katie about life, fitness, goals and travelling. Age: Oh I turn 21 every year haha! Sponsors: O´Neill, Ride Snowboards, Dragon, Bern, Rocket Dog, Skullcandy, Butta, Dalikfodda, Tignes Spirit Home slope: I guess where ever I´m living at the time…. Breckenridge, Perisher, Tignes, Mayrhofen. Back in Devon my closet thing to a slope is Dartmoor! What have you been up to this season? I have been travelling around a bit more this season, trying to get more involved in events, contests and photo shoots. I have spent a lot of time in Breckenridge trying to get better at snowboarding, and travelled to Bear Mountain, Laax a couple times, Morzine and in between those I´ve spent in Tignes to earn some money and visit my boyfriend! What has been your favourite event this season and why? I think Miss Super Park in Keystone was my favourite event. It was a week long film/photo shoot just for girls. All the worlds’ best chicks
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were there and I felt so privileged that I got to ride in it. The set up was pretty gnarly but it was ok because there wasn´t the pressure of it being a contest. You could just ride and have fun! There was a good vibe and it was sunny all week! Plans for summer and next season? I have been doing back-to-back winters for the last 5 years, but this summer I am having a summer... In the UK! Quite nervous about this! There are a couple of important events that I HAVE to be around for in August, and I also need to pay off some debt I have acquired this season! Hopefully I will get away for a snowboard trip at some point, but I’m not going to be able to spend the whole summer DownUnder like usual. Pretty gutted about this, but it will be good to have a summer, and maybe even a suntan! Next winter I want to start really early, in October time, to make up for not doing a whole season this summer. I would like to spend more time in America, I really feel that this is the place to be to get better at snowboarding, the parks are amazing! I´ll try to do more events, contests, filming/photos and interesting trips! But my main thing is I want to get better at snowboarding, this is what’s most important to me. If I feel like I´m progressing then I´m happy! Do you do any other training apart from snowboarding, to keep yourself fit and healthy? Yes, I´m quite into my fitness now. I always thought snowboarding was enough exercise in itself, but this last year I have realised that doing exercise outside of snowboarding massively helps with snowboarding, and I like it, I had forgotten how much fitness makes me happy! So I’ve been going to the gym a lot, working on my core strength, I want
Photograph by James Bryant Dragon Alliance Rider: Katie Blundell 53
to get better at snowboarding so badly and this is what drives my gym workouts! I’ve also been doing Yoga and Pilates... and one that combines the both called Yogalates!!! In Breckenridge I was going to Woodward a lot, the best place in the world! Trampolines, foam pits, tumble tracks, snowflex ramps, I LOVE it there… Sometimes even more than snowboarding! I can’t emphasise enough how much this helps with my snowboarding. What do you get up to when you’re not snowboarding? For the last 5 years I have actually not had much time where I’m not snowboarding. So this summer will be interesting! I’m the sort of person that always has to have a hobby! I´m not someone to sit around (well apart from when I’m watching chick flicks and eating chocolate, which actually I do quite a bit). So this summer I really want to get back into some sort of dancing… Maybe learn to skate/ longboard… and surf? Although I need to get over my fear of fish!!! Silly really.
Most stoked moment? Although it doesnt seem like much, I think the thing I have been most stoked on this season is going upside down in the park! And then eventually landing the thing! I know this is nothing to most people, but for me it made me really happy that I had finally got the balls to try! I have discovered that I actually really enjoy being upside down. I did so much gymnastics when I was younger so I was stoked to finally make the link between gymnastics and snowboarding. You’ve been lucky enough to ride in a lot of resorts across the globe, where’s your favourite place to ride? Ahhh so many different places for different reasons. But up there is definitely Breckenridge for the progression and fitness, and Woodward of course! But for the vibe, fun and favourite crew, it has to be Perisher in OZ! Goals for the future? Push my snowboarding, get better, have fun! Do more upside down stuff! Interview by Harri Bennett
O›Neill Evolution Rider: Katie Blundell 54
Photograph by Mark Imanul Rider: Katie Blundell Photograph: Sam Mellish www.the-brits.com Rider: Katie Blundell 55
Diary 4-10 May - Spring Break - Kaunertal - The Snowboard Test
is back with a new name and format www.snowboardspringbreak.com
4-6 May - Snow Centre’s Birthday Bash - The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead
The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead celebrates it’s 4th birthday with free birthday cake and a one off freestyle session in the car park, as well as a whole host of other celebratory activities.
18 May - Air Attack 3.0 - Snowtrax
Back for another year the Air Attack freestyle comp offers a big prize bag with spot prizes and a BBQ – open to all abilities, skiers and snowboarders.
19 May - Go Big Or Go Home - Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre
A freestyle slopestyle event with each run finishing in big air onto the airbag.
29 June - Strawberry Jam - Chatham
After the huge success of last year’s event the Strawberry Jam is 56
back for another year.
25-27 Oct - InTheSnow Live - NEC, Birmingham
Retailers, brands, fashion shows, ski resorts, après bars, food, music and even a slope; InTheSnow Live has it all. Check www. inthesnowlive.com for more details and tickets.
25 Oct - Snow-Camp Rally - UK
Back for another year this epic road trip fundraiser challenges skiers and snowboarders to ride five of the UK’s indoor snow slopes in one day. www.snow-camp.org.uk/rally
30 Oct -3 Nov - Ski and Snowboard Show - Earls Court The annual Ski and Snowboard Show hits London again in full
force. Check www.skiandsnowboard.co.uk for more details and tickets.
8-10 Nov - Morrow Jam - The Snow Centre, Hemel
The Morrow Jam, the longest running snowboard competition in England celebrates its 20th anniversary and is promising a BIG event. Keep an eye on the Facebook page http://www.facebook. com/events/309198279180204/
27 Nov - 1 Dec - FREEZE - London
Freeze is back and this year they’re making some big changes, new venue, new format. Keep an eye on the website www. freezefestival.com 57
WhiteNoize
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