So am Im sure of all you have read form Branny’s updates Kings Cup went off this year.
We put together a really interesting park which had three jumps compared to the single jump we have always had. This tested every ones riding ability and really tested guys to mix there run up and try new tricks.
The set up was a flat box rail as the first feature into a combo of a small jump, the smallest of the three and the barrel bonk. It was pretty challenging set up as the down box didn’t leave the riders with much room before the next feature was upon them.
After the combo we had the disco box which in order to clear the next feature speed had to be taken off the box. Some nice combo spins and cab tricks were thrown in here.
The next feature was the second of the three jumps. Not a massive kicker but with a decent gap to clear it did spook a few riders. We included a canon box for the guys that didn’t have a big bag of jump tricks.
Second last was the 8 meter kicker which in the final runs was destroyed by Reuben throwing down the cleanest switch back 5 and landing pretty much at the bottom of the tranny.
With the wall ride only having its refurbish finished a few day prior to the event it was left out and a snow spine with a c-box planted in the top took its place. It was a super technical feature and not a favourite amongst the competitors.
Some new faces appeared on the podium which is always good but I have to make a special mention to the grom who dominated the juniors section and I think will start beating the older guys soon – Luke Dutton
I think the pic below proves this.
Broken hand from a slam the weekend before wasn’t scared to throw down some huge front 3’s and 5’s
Thanks to Pete and Oliver from Snowboarder for putting on another sick comp and to my park crew for putting up a sick setup with the little snow we have.
Quiksnow next so expect some big changes in the park for this one is going to be huge!
Blasting around our final bend in Lesotho, with the upper lift hut coming into sight, always sets our adrenalin buzzing, and the long drive from Cape Town didn’t dampen our spirits as we hit the final few twists and turns into the Afriski resort. Looking down from upon high over the white expanse of the resort, in the glorious African sunshine, man….it was good to be back!
Whilst i’m trying to write up some words in proper English like what we all speak!!, here’s the results from the slopestyle and a photo of Mamo courtesy of flypiggyfly media.
Only tired because I should be somewhere on the road between Cape Town & Bloem…. Robbies riding is anything but tired check out this Gearbox classic of Robbie Slaying the down box!!
It’s Wednesday already and we leave for Lesotho Tomorrow!! not excited enough already?? check out Landing SA team Rider Mamo killing it on the Afriski big booter during last years Afriski sessions!!
Hit up Afriski this last weekend and I got to say it is shaping up to be an epic season! How do I know? Well in previous years the park was always a bit of an after-thought, this year the park is the same length as the slope and definitely getting the attention it deserves! Thanks to Matt, Ruben and the team we’ve already got a line of kickers and some fun jibs.
It’s good to be riding again, lapping the park with the Matt and the crew, we hit the first “street style” down box with some nice frontside lipslides, working on cab tricks on the second jump and loving the bottom kicker – even after the mandatory slams – but what do you expect for first ride of the season? Special mention to Chris for his spectacular banana induce backflip attempt and even more to grom Luke who landed his first frontside 3.
If you were wondering whether its worth going up, I defo recommend it. It’s warm, the sun shines everyday, the snow is awesome and the park is epic. I’ve been lucky enough to ride quite a few resorts, but I got to admit there’s no place quite like Afriski.
As for what’s coming up this weekend, it’s arguably the biggest event happening in Southern Africa on Saturday morning. The competitors will all be international (passports can prove it), the crowds will be flocking (or is that the crowds will be a flock?) and there’ll be more spins and rolling around than your average soccer match. Yes yes, its the King’s Cup. See you there
