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Mike Wakefield confirmed his position as the leading up and coming
freestyle skier in the UK when he took first place in the Natives-sponsored
‘The New Breed’ competition at the British Ski and Snowboard Show
this weekend.
Strong competition
Although he faced a strong challenge from fellow 17 year-old Joe
Blackwell, another Sheffield-based rider, his consistency and fluidity
in the quarter-pipe saw him finish clear in first place.
With all eight riders in their teens, this really was a demonstration
of the depth of talent in the UK right now. Added to the Line ACG
Pro team, visitors to the Show were able to see some amazing riding
from all concerned.
  
Pat Sharples called
all the moves in his role as MC and helped guide the crowd through
the levels of difficulty on display. This was certainly the biggest
audience that any of the riders had performed in front of, and the
nerves were palpable as the £750 prize fund was fought over.
As it was all the riders were sensational, pulling off some amazing
tricks, mixing flips, flairs, 5s, mutes, toxics and even some sweet
(and very difficult) switch moves.
Freestyle woman
Congratulations should go out to them all, not just for their performances,
but for helping to educate the British public as to what’s going
on in the new school. In particular big up to Shelly Jones, who
had the balls to take on the guys and show that women can compete
in freestyle at the top level. There are more competition
pictures and more chilling out pictures.
Congratulations should also go to the Show organisers, Global Snowshows,
not only for providing the prize kitty and helping British riding,
but for injecting a lot more energy and entertainment into this
year’s Show. Here’s to next year!
Results
1st Mike Wakefield (17) 11.5 points £250
2nd Joe Blackwell (17) 8.5 points £150
3rd= Mark Watson (19) 1.5 points £50
3rd= Eddie Thelwell (17) 1.5 points £50
Spot Prizes (£50 each)
1 - Nick Cooper - 180 Toxic
2 - Mark Watson - Flair
3 - Nick Southwell - Continued persistence at back flips
4 - Shelly Jones - Zero spin
[Pictures by Ben Hawker
and Iain Martin]
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