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!

Laters

Yes, It’s July and time for the Kings Cup , and we were back in Southern Africa’s premiere Mountain Resort Afriski! After passing the big new sign and heading to our (very posh) accommodation for the weekend we headed over to the slope to check out the park and to see who was about.

After bumping into Goneskiing’s main man Peter Peyper who along with a gaggle of electricians, plumbers, designers and resort staff, was putting the finishing touches to the all new Gondola Cafe we headed slopeside.

The main slope was fairly busy with the two plankers getting some time trials down, lessons and bum boarding sessions in full swing and the recreational riders enjoying the conditions it was awesome to see snowsports in Africa in such good health.

The park was fairly quiet though, with only a few riders lapping the toys, this years Kings Cup park was a little bit smaller than last years, mainly due to the mild conditions and earlier event, but it was still a belter. Butter Boxes, rails, bonks and Kickers all dug in to give all riders the chance to get creative and progress those new tricks.

This years big kicker is a cracker, as I soon realised when team rider Mamo flew over with a huge 360, followed closely by park shaper and ripper Rueben Storbeck who was locking into some big BS 5′s. The Locally Whipped guy’s were also out on the slope, shooting some rail sequences of Matt for an upcoming ‘how to’ trick tips segment so we’ll give you a shout when that hit’s the shelves.

It seems that a lot of the other familiar SA shreds where rocking in late from Jo’burg as they all had a days work to fit in before hitting the slopes for the weekend. So after watching Mamo & Rueben tear up the park for a little while longer we headed back to check out the new improved Gondola Cafe.

For those of you that have spent a night trying to drink enough Maluti and Jager to warm yourself under the old canvas covered Gondola, that excuse has been well and truly blown apart with a fabulous new bar, including wooden bar top and beams, colour changing mosaic tiles, glitter ball, DJ booth and Laser and smoke machines… the guys have really gone to down and the new cafe will undoubtedly be the centre of all things on and off the slope for the future of the resorts groups.

So after a good couple of hours thrashing out the details for Saturdays judging with Oliver and a couple of Maluti’s we settled down for a warm night, anticipating an exciting slopestyle event to find out who is the King of the Park for 2010.

To be continued……..
Rider images copyright Andrew Royal (Gearbox) 2010

Kings Cup SLOPESTYLE 2010

come back tomorrow for the last installment!!

© Andrew 'gearbox' Royal

Check Back Tomorrow for another sick photo from Gearbox!!

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

© Andrew 'gearbox' Royal

don’t forget to swing by tomorrow Warthog Wednesday!!

first up to celebrate Maluti Monday is Mamo, with this shot from a couple of years back on the spine stall!!

© Andrew 'gearbox' Royal

Check back tomorrow for Tokoloshe Tuesdays and a photo of Team rider Robbie Alunni

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