ricki
02-15-2011, 10:00 PM
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/2_IMG_3633.jpg
Red Bull came to West Palm Beach and 70 F temperatures to have a snowboarding competition. About 3000 people were estimated to have come down to watch this unique event.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/22_IMG_4261.jpg
The setup was next to the Intracoastal and within a mile of the beach. The setup seemed easier to put together than you might think. Some off the shelf scaffolding, plywood ramp and a lot of ice = instant snowboarding hill.
http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/RedBull/RBImages/000/000/157/221/photo610x343/02112011_RedBull_ButterCup_0239.JPG
The layout
Photo: Red Bull Photo Profiles
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/25_G.jpg
They had pros and amateurs competing including some local riders.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/38_G.jpg
A local guy hits the slider while our own kiter Grace captures the action on her GoPro. Grace is with Peter Glenn which was a sponsor of the event.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/28_IMG_3701.jpg
Ian came up from UM and his normal kiting grounds to compete as well. Looking good!
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/10_IMG_3687.jpg
So, lets have a look at the action through some still shots. The is the first competitive downhill snow event that comes to mind in SE Florida.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/17_IMG_3755.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/Start_VR_1.sized.jpg (http://www.fksa.org/gallery/album584/Start_VR_1?full=1)
A look at things before the start of the competition.
Click photo for full sized image
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/14_G.jpg
Some guys wore helmets, some did not. That is surprising considering the poor slope conditions (what else would you expect in 70 F?), hard sliders and thin to no snow over the stopping grass and concrete paver walkway area. Maybe they might consider requiring them next time as a part of routine risk management. A thicker base or other impact provision over the hard stuff like the walk would be a good idea too.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/20_G.jpg
There were some wipeouts, painful at times like on the regular slopes but everyone took it like a champ and no serious injuries occurred.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/11_G.jpg
Pro rider John Sinchok just floats along, great style.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/16_G.jpg
Pro rider Damon Thompson explodes up and over.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/27_IMG_3696.jpg
John makes controlled stop in the grass. Some didn't end quite so cleanly, boards just don't slide well on sod.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/6_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/ian_IMG_3764.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/37_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/31_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/32_IMG_3765.jpg
Ian comes in for a landing.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/21_GOPR0034.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/26_G.jpg
The Butter Cup guys.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/77_G.jpg
Every once in a while you will see some excellent uniform white light illumination like in this shot. This was not my dinky external strobe at work but two high capacity high tripod mounted strobes being used by the dedicated Red Bull photographer. He did a nice job shooting the Wake of Fame event in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Thanks for the extra light!
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/33_G.jpg
This guy is coming in hard, almost took out a video camera on a tripod.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/19_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/23_IMG_4243.jpg
Cowabunga! It would be interesting to have a booster ramp at the bottom of the run followed by a drop into the Intracoastal. Combined snow and water sports.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/34_G.jpg
Rich Currier is up, eventually taking first place in the amateur division.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/15_G.jpg
Lots of great balance out there.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/24_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/18_IMG_3789.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/5_IMG_3882.jpg
The only woman in the competition strangely enough considering the large quantity of snowboarders down here. She was quite a trooper.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/35_IMG_3958.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/29_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/39_G.jpg
Kristian Sarmiento eventually takes third in the amateur division.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/21_IMG_4270.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/base_IMG_4099.jpg
Grace photographs from the base of the course while the ultimate pro winner, Cody Elhert, catches his breath.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/7_G.jpg
There was even a very determined mobility challenged rider who hit the slopes repeatedly.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/41_IMG_4082.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/60_IMG_4420.jpg
The event went on past sunset to about 7:30 pm, even past a short light rain.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/61_G.jpg
Great athletes in a unusual setting. You can see the melt water on the grass.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/3_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/9_IMG_4158.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/63_G.jpg
Near the finals the guys were hitting it particularly hard. You could see the exertion, sweat and fatigue starting to set in but they guys still rode strong.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/4a_IMG_4169.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/boom_box.jpg
Red Bull pumped out tunes throughout via they mobile boom box aka urban assault vehicle.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/62_IMG_4459.jpg
Slow strobe recycle but the image is interesting all the same.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/65_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/66_IMG_4479.jpg
Damon is making even grass work.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/67_IMG_4478.jpg
Nice gap.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/64_IMG_4473.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/Red_Bull_Butter_Cup_VR_1_nite.sized.jpg (http://www.fksa.org/gallery/album584/Red_Bull_Butter_Cup_VR_1_nite?full=1)
A near 180 degree view from the top before the final rounds.
Click photo for full sized image
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/10_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/11_IMG_4218.jpg
Rich Currier riding aggressively with style took second in the amateur division.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/I68_MG_4506.jpg
The amateur winners with Blake Hickey winning first, Rich Currier second place and Kristian Sarmiento taking third. Thanks to Judge Ron Lamb for the specifics!
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/70_IMG_4517.jpg
The pro winners, including Cody Ehlert taking first, John Sinchok in second and Damon Thompson taking third.
Many thanks to Red Bull, Peter Glenn and all the sponsors for bringing this unusual event to Florida! For more info on future Butter Cup competitions around the country checkout: http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/001242934335907
.
Red Bull came to West Palm Beach and 70 F temperatures to have a snowboarding competition. About 3000 people were estimated to have come down to watch this unique event.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/22_IMG_4261.jpg
The setup was next to the Intracoastal and within a mile of the beach. The setup seemed easier to put together than you might think. Some off the shelf scaffolding, plywood ramp and a lot of ice = instant snowboarding hill.
http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/RedBull/RBImages/000/000/157/221/photo610x343/02112011_RedBull_ButterCup_0239.JPG
The layout
Photo: Red Bull Photo Profiles
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/25_G.jpg
They had pros and amateurs competing including some local riders.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/38_G.jpg
A local guy hits the slider while our own kiter Grace captures the action on her GoPro. Grace is with Peter Glenn which was a sponsor of the event.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/28_IMG_3701.jpg
Ian came up from UM and his normal kiting grounds to compete as well. Looking good!
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/10_IMG_3687.jpg
So, lets have a look at the action through some still shots. The is the first competitive downhill snow event that comes to mind in SE Florida.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/17_IMG_3755.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/Start_VR_1.sized.jpg (http://www.fksa.org/gallery/album584/Start_VR_1?full=1)
A look at things before the start of the competition.
Click photo for full sized image
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/14_G.jpg
Some guys wore helmets, some did not. That is surprising considering the poor slope conditions (what else would you expect in 70 F?), hard sliders and thin to no snow over the stopping grass and concrete paver walkway area. Maybe they might consider requiring them next time as a part of routine risk management. A thicker base or other impact provision over the hard stuff like the walk would be a good idea too.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/20_G.jpg
There were some wipeouts, painful at times like on the regular slopes but everyone took it like a champ and no serious injuries occurred.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/11_G.jpg
Pro rider John Sinchok just floats along, great style.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/16_G.jpg
Pro rider Damon Thompson explodes up and over.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/27_IMG_3696.jpg
John makes controlled stop in the grass. Some didn't end quite so cleanly, boards just don't slide well on sod.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/6_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/ian_IMG_3764.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/37_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/31_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/32_IMG_3765.jpg
Ian comes in for a landing.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/21_GOPR0034.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/26_G.jpg
The Butter Cup guys.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/77_G.jpg
Every once in a while you will see some excellent uniform white light illumination like in this shot. This was not my dinky external strobe at work but two high capacity high tripod mounted strobes being used by the dedicated Red Bull photographer. He did a nice job shooting the Wake of Fame event in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Thanks for the extra light!
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/33_G.jpg
This guy is coming in hard, almost took out a video camera on a tripod.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/19_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/23_IMG_4243.jpg
Cowabunga! It would be interesting to have a booster ramp at the bottom of the run followed by a drop into the Intracoastal. Combined snow and water sports.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/34_G.jpg
Rich Currier is up, eventually taking first place in the amateur division.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/15_G.jpg
Lots of great balance out there.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/24_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/18_IMG_3789.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/5_IMG_3882.jpg
The only woman in the competition strangely enough considering the large quantity of snowboarders down here. She was quite a trooper.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/35_IMG_3958.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/29_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/39_G.jpg
Kristian Sarmiento eventually takes third in the amateur division.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/21_IMG_4270.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/base_IMG_4099.jpg
Grace photographs from the base of the course while the ultimate pro winner, Cody Elhert, catches his breath.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/7_G.jpg
There was even a very determined mobility challenged rider who hit the slopes repeatedly.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/41_IMG_4082.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/60_IMG_4420.jpg
The event went on past sunset to about 7:30 pm, even past a short light rain.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/61_G.jpg
Great athletes in a unusual setting. You can see the melt water on the grass.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/3_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/9_IMG_4158.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/63_G.jpg
Near the finals the guys were hitting it particularly hard. You could see the exertion, sweat and fatigue starting to set in but they guys still rode strong.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/4a_IMG_4169.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/boom_box.jpg
Red Bull pumped out tunes throughout via they mobile boom box aka urban assault vehicle.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/62_IMG_4459.jpg
Slow strobe recycle but the image is interesting all the same.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/65_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/66_IMG_4479.jpg
Damon is making even grass work.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/67_IMG_4478.jpg
Nice gap.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/64_IMG_4473.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/Red_Bull_Butter_Cup_VR_1_nite.sized.jpg (http://www.fksa.org/gallery/album584/Red_Bull_Butter_Cup_VR_1_nite?full=1)
A near 180 degree view from the top before the final rounds.
Click photo for full sized image
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/10_G.jpg
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/11_IMG_4218.jpg
Rich Currier riding aggressively with style took second in the amateur division.
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/I68_MG_4506.jpg
The amateur winners with Blake Hickey winning first, Rich Currier second place and Kristian Sarmiento taking third. Thanks to Judge Ron Lamb for the specifics!
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album584/70_IMG_4517.jpg
The pro winners, including Cody Ehlert taking first, John Sinchok in second and Damon Thompson taking third.
Many thanks to Red Bull, Peter Glenn and all the sponsors for bringing this unusual event to Florida! For more info on future Butter Cup competitions around the country checkout: http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/001242934335907
.