Style Experience: the Story
STYLE EXPERIENCE RECAP - THE NIGHT SNOWBOARDING STOLE THE SHOW
The Style Experience FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air at Commonwealth Stadium wowed the city of Edmonton on December 9th, putting on a show of remarkable history making Snowboarding and entertainment. Although no Canadians secured a podium finish, the event featured unprecedented achievements and showcased the pinnacle of talent in both the Canadian and global snowboarding community.
In the women's competition, New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski-Synnott etched her name in history on her way to the top of the podium. Sadowski-Synnott's awe-inspiring performance included a groundbreaking switch backside 1260, a trick never before landed in women's competitive snowboarding; for which she received a staggering 99 out of 100 in the qualifying round. Following a stumble on her first round of finals and with no room for error, she rallied with a remarkable second round of 97.25, and secured her well-deserved victory with a final jump score of 86.00 (183.25)
Reflecting on her historic achievement, Sadowski-Synnott expressed, "That trick hasn't been done in competition before, so I didn't really know what to expect. I'm super-hyped on the score." Prodigious 17 year old Briton Mia Brookes and Anna Gasser, the Austrian double Olympic gold medalist in Big Air rounded out the podium on a night where the entire women's field pushed the boundaries throughout
On the men’s side, Japan's Taiga Hasegawa (181.00) emerged victorious with a flawless performance, executing three impeccable 1800s, his final jump of which bumped him into the lead on the night. China's Su Yiming, the 2022 Olympic Big Air gold medalist and victor in last week's home World Cup Big Air in Beijing, secured second place, while American Redmond Gerard, returning to World Cup competition after a year-long hiatus, claimed bronze.
The Canadian team showed immense promise with four athletes progressing to finals, although valiantly just missed out on landing their big tricks on the night. Nicolas Laframboise, who impressed the crowd in 2022 with a bronze, showcased his unique style once again, this year sporting a bright orange Edmonton Oilers helmet along with a fresh blue Oilers alternate jersey finished sixth after attempting a huge backside quad 1800 (five rotations) on his final jump, just sliding out on his landing.
Ontario’s Liam Brearley was on fire all week on the 65ft jump but couldn't quite get it done in the finals whilst Jasmine Baird, the 2022 champion came just short falling on her second and third attempts, both finished seventh respectively. Laurie Blouin came in just behind Baird securing eighth place.
SNOWBOARDING'S BIG SHOW
Building on the successes of 2022’s debut event, The Style Experience returned with a range of new features and elements, bringing together a diverse and broad spectrum of the Snowboard industry. The festival of snowboarding - The incorporation of entertainment saw music and snowboarding showcased and celebrated together as one. The result - a unique party unlike anything Edmonton, or Canada, or even North America has ever seen before.
A remarkable and history-making fusion of Snowboarding, its unique culture and world class entertainment. Featuring headline music performances from Grandson, SKIITOUR and Edmonton's own Calling all Captains, the field was transformed into a full festival style vendor village featuring sporting goods, lifestyle activations, action sports demos, and so much more. Directly connecting the industry and the people fostering the culture of the sport.
The fine folk of Edmonton showed up in a big way to support the Edmonton Food Bank Food Drive with a huge volume of donations of canned and non-perishable goods meanwhile a huge 50-50 that totaled upwards of 12k from tickets purchased both online and in person raised over $6,000 for Alberta Snowboard
BLESSING OF THE LAND - TREATY 6 WELCOMED SNOWBOARDING
As Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium is situated on what is unceded Treaty 6 territory, this land is the traditional home for many Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial Including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Dene, Saulteaux, Anishinaabe. They, along with many other First Nations, Métis, are the stewards of this land and on December 6th, Phillip Campiou of the Driftpile Cree Nation guided a group through a land blessing on the field, a traditional practice of great significance. It is with great appreciation to be welcomed here.
The event featured various elements and components developed in collaboration with First Nation partners throughout, Ahead of the main event on Saturday, Athletes were welcomed with a traditional indigenous breakfast; which was received so well that it was many riders highlight of their time in Edmonton
SUPPORTING PATHWAYS THROUGH SPORT
At a Press Conference launching the Style Experience in front of Edmonton's Media posse ahead of the event, Canada Snowboard CEO Dustin Heise spoke to the importance of engaging kids in snowboarding and developing pathways within the sport, before presenting a $15k donation (On behalf of both Canada Snowboard and Alberta Snowboard) to Richard Goodswimmer of the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, Following which Canadian Snowboard Legend Mark McMorris, on behalf of the McMorris Foundation, matched the donation and contributed a further $15k. This funding will support the Councils exceptional ongoing work in programming, promotion and facilitation of sport with Indigenous Youth throughout the province.
THE BUILD - A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING MARVEL.
The 15-storey ramp, extended 12m above the top tier of the stadium and a world first in both its scale and design scope.
At 147 feet long, including over 50,000 pieces of scaffolding, It eclipsed 2022's build to become the largest ever temporary sporting structure of its kind, So big in fact that if it were not incorporated high into the stands, it would not fit inside the stadium, More than 3000 seats were removed to build a drop in measures over 15 stories high - taller than Niagra Falls.
As 2023 was the first year since 1928 that Edmonton received no through the month of November. Rabbit Hill produced all of the snow and it required 50 plus semi trailer loads to transport into the stadium
DESERVED PLATFORM FOR URBAN SNOWBOARDING
In another world first, “The Grind - Steel in the Stands” was the first ever Snowboard Rail Jam competition held inside a Football Stadium and provided an elite platform for the best urban Snowboarders from across the country to compete in teams against some international World Cup talent. Team Chomlack, from Whistler (Caleb Chomlack, Maggie Crompton and Keenan Demchuck) edged out a stacked field and took home the Nitro Best Team title in a competition that showcased a truly world class display of rail riding. Canada’s Juliette Pelchat and Norway’s Oyvind Kirkhus each claimed the best Toyota Best Trick prizes for each gender. A legacy of this event will see the Boxes and Rails seen in the competition, be donated to the Edmonton Ski Club and Sunshine Village to continue to foster the generation of urban snowboarding talent.
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In the days leading up to the event, 600 Edmontonian school kids got the first glimpse of the action on the world coolest field trip, The best junior riders contested a groms rail Jam, whilst inside the Commonwealth Stadium retailers and distributors came together for the Canada’s first ever Snowboard Specific industry trade show - SHREDMONTON.
The Style Experience was a remarkable and history-making celebration of all things snowboarding. In collaboration with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, Canada Snowboard supported the importance of engaging youth in snowboarding and developing pathways for growth. This year's event would not be possible without our amazing sponsors, partners, guests and the effort of many volunteers and staff to bring this all together.
This all action, world leading festival of snowboarding is set to return to Edmonton December 2024.
The Shred the North series resumes in Calgary on February 6th-11th for the Snow Rodeo FIS Slopestyle and Halfpipe
