Gallery: Supernatural Snowboarders Showcase Super Skills
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It’s official: Travis Rice is the best all-around snowboarder on the planet. The master of the mountain absolutely killed it last weekend at the inaugural Red Bull Supernatural, and the energy drink company *finally* released hi-res pics of the action. The invitation-only event drew 18 elite riders, who fearlessly threw down on a 40-degree slope created exclusively for the competition. “We had no idea that people would tee off that big without having ever seen anyone hit the features before,” Tom Burt, head judge for the event, said in a statement. “This contest puts together where snowboarding is heading, riding the mountains.” Rice, called the Paul Revere of big mountain freestyle snowboarding because of his revolutionary moves, proved yet again that he’s earned his spot on *Snowboarder* magazine’s list of the 20 most influential riders ever. He made a nearly flawless run that so impressed the judges he earned a score of 91. No one else came close; even second-place finisher Gigi Ruf could do no better than 84, while Nicholas Muller took third with a score of 82.6. “Everyone had standout moments,” Burt said. “The talent on course today was mind-boggling.” *__Above__: Eero Niemela bombs down the run, a 2,200-foot vertical drop nicknamed “Scary Cherry.” The Finn finished ninth overall with a score of 68.9.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool
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The best snowboarders in the world deserve the best run in the world, and the Supernatural did not disappoint. Rice, who organized the event, looked to Baldface Lodge and its monster run, “Scary Cherry.” Nine loggers spent five months creating 80 features for riders to traverse. “Inspiration for the course design came from nature, straight up, and the crazy features that I’ve seen people ride,” Rice said before Saturday’s event. “Also, some inspiration came from what they are able to do with mountain biking courses, like building stuff through the trees. There’s no limit to what is possible with a little creativity and some will.” *__Above__: Gigi Ruf, catching air on his way to second place. The Austrian scored 84 on his first run and sat in second place all day.* Photo: Cole Barash/Red Bull Content Pool
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The course started with a 40-degree drop before tapering to 35 degrees for tree-line jumps, pillow lines and more. Things flattened out halfway down for the 300-foot-wide kicker. From there riders sailed down another 30-degree slope with a jib and rail garden. All told, the run dropped 2,200 vertical feet. “I was surprised at how much these guys really stepped up their game to ride this course,” said Jeff Pensiero, owner of the lodge outside Nelson, British Columbia. “I thought a lot of it was really not rideable, but these guys proved they earn their livings exceeding expectations.” *__Above__: John Jackson on the course. He won the “Best Trick” award when he nailed a double cork 1080 off the big kicker on his final run. He placed fourth overall with a score of 80.6.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool
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Red Bull called the Supernatural “the first of its kind backcountry competition” designed to crown the best all-around snowboarder in the world. The course was designed to highlight each competitor’s strength while requiring them to demonstrate various disciplines within the sport. “An event like Red Bull Supernatural calls upon all necessary skills — the ability to ride natural terrain, to navigate down big mountain lines, to ride powder, pillows and adverse, crazy obstacles,” Rice said. “Most importantly, the course will call on one’s freestyle knowledge and experience, forcing riders to integrate that into one’s all-mountain riding.” *__Above__: Riders wait their turn at the top of Scary Cherry* Photo: Cole Barash/Red Bull Content Pool
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Eighteen riders were invited to compete, and the six-day window for competition opened Feb. 3. Event organizers and judges wanted picture-perfect conditions with clear skies and deep powder. Mother Nature delivered on Saturday. *__Above__: Scotty Lago, who finished 17th with a score of 59.4.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool
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Although Rice handily won and a gulf of 36.5 points separated first place from last, the day’s event saw one fantastic performance after another. Standout moves, according to there to see them, included Eric Jackson’s butter into a huge 540, Devun Walsh’s 360 pillow platform tap and Nicolas Müller’s switch 720 off the kicker. “Today was a great example of where our sport is going and what we can do to get it to the next level,” Pensiero said. *__Above__: Travis Rice, riding off jump before landing in first place.* Photo: Cole Barash/Red Bull Content Pool
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In the end, the Red Bull Supernatural challenged every athlete’s abilities and pushed them to the edge of their skills, showcasing the best their sport has to offer — which was Rice’s goal. “We’re walking away with a different state of mind. This was an experiment and it’s the beginning of a new, possible future for snowboarding,” Rice said. The two-hour Red Bull Supernatural program is slated to air March 31 on NBC. Until then, enjoy a bit of the action here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Livlwz7cSDc *__Above__: Travis Rice, Gigi Ruf and Nicolas Muller on the podium.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool
