Photo Report: Big White Slopestyle Invitational 2018

Jul 8, 2018
by Clint Trahan  


It's either a famous Al Davis quote or something Nicholi Rogatkin had plastered on his walls.

Cause it’s all he’s been doing.

This time, at Big White, a ski resort gone bike, 60 kilometers (That’s 35 miles to the yanks) outside of Kelowna, British Columbia.

In its inaugural edition, the Big White Slopestyle Invitational hosted some of the sports top athletes. Tom Van Steenbergen, Anthony Messere, Carson Storch, to name a few. With a feeder event held Thursday, it has been a busy weekend in the BC Interior.

photo
The riders viewpoint. The boner log is certainly popping pills. The thing is HUGE.

Hitting the freshest Slopestyle course in Canada, riders were unanimous in the review. It's big. It's fast. It's sendy. It's the right amount of scary. With 7 trickable features, the course, designed by Tom Van Steenbergen and built by Loft Bike Parks, leaves it to the imaginations of the riders on their runs. They put that gray matter to good use.

30 Slopestyle riders christened the course Saturday afternoon and left it out there.

From Tom Isted's 5th place finish on a twisted ankle, to David Lieb moving from a Bronze alternate athlete to finishing 11th in the Gold event; Saturday had it all.

Including Nicholi Rogatkin once again confirming his transformation into a human form video game.

photo
The Monster sponsor tent provided ample cover for the 30 slope riders when rain threatened to delay the event.

photo
While rain could dampen the course, it did nothing for the mood at the event. Smiles were found up and down the entire resort, which is only in its 2nd season of summer events.

photo
A whos who of slopestyle steeds ready to shuttle their owners down the slopes of Big White

photo
Tom, fresh off signing with Monster and his trusty Trek.

photo
With an 85.33 in his first run, Torq proves power naps work. It was enough to win him 3rd spot in the event and the wildcard entry to Joyride in Whistler.

photo
Burning calories.

photo
Coming out of retirement for this slopestyle event, R-Dogs threads are fresh af.

photo
Ryan's style matches his threads.

photo
"We couldn't have done this without her. She was the glue for the event." Says Big White CEO Peter Plimmer of Louise Hatton, on the right. After watching her operate all week, we agree 100%. Kudos Louise, you deserve all the accolades coming your way.

photo
The crowds were impressive, considering 72 days ago, the entire course and event were canceled. A true testament to Big Whites commitment to growing biking in the region.

photo
With huge crowds, even for a 1st-year event, the riders were not shy in putting their bodies on the line. Louis Reboul with a huge seat grab off the boner log.

photo
Proof one wrong move can have serious consequences. Louis Reboul attempted to link the seat grab to a cork 720. He would be ok, but had a rough day, finishing in 28th place with 23.33 points

photo
Another rider who sent it all weekend, Tom Isted, already on a bum ankle, shows off his latest earth induced tats

photo
Course designed, and all around rad dude, Tom Van Steenbergen drops in with a truck driver. Tom would finish the day in 6th with a 79.00

photo
The course wasn't just hard on rider bodies. Tubes popped like fireworks given how big everything here at Big White is.

photo
Ray George proving he belongs with the big boys. He would finish with 32 points but showed style and some massive air through the course

photo
Anthony Messere prepping for his run. Finishing 3rd with 83.00 points.

photo
Max Langille dropping into the beautiful BC Interior backdrop. Max would finish middle of the pack with a devilish 46.66

photo
Big jumps, big consequence. After his first run of 80.00, Carson Storch pushed the envelope a little too far and ejects. Carson would finish outside the podium in 4th place, 3 points behind Anthony Messere. Carson walked away ok from this one....

photo
...but knew his mistake cost him a spot in the top 3.

photo
With no live stream, and a strong desire to keep the event grassroots, viewers are going to have to wait for sick edits to come out later in the week for highlights.

photo
One of the nicest guys on the tour, and a multi-dimensional athlete, Reed Boggs didn't get the run in he planned, but still finished 13th with 68.66.

photo
If at first, you don't succeed, keep trying. Griffon Paulson pushed his limits, as is apparent here.

photo
I don't even know what to call this trick from Tom Isted, but it makes for a cool frame.

photo
Anthony Messere has always been known from his amplitude. It felt like the Big White course was designed for his style.

photo
The tree lines were challenged by every rider dropping in. "The faster you go, the higher, not further, you get sent", said one rider.

photo
The Mulch jump provided a safe place to land and served as a large-scale babysitting area for kids to play during the event.

photo
Even on his victory lap, Nicholi's run included a double tailwhip, cashroll, and his signature Twister. He could have finished 1st and 2nd in the event with his two successful runs.

photo
Your Big White Slopestyle Invitational podium: Nicholi Rogatkin (92.33 points), Torquato Testa (85.33 points), Anthony Messere (83.00 points).

photo
Well done boys. That was a hell of a show

photo
Big White, a huge salute on a resounding success. See you all next year!


Author Info:
ClintTrahan avatar

Member since Jun 27, 2014
32 articles

27 Comments
  • 14 0
 Oh man I wish I could have made this one! Gonna be hitting up the park this week though so I'm pumped for that. Also, great work on the prize money amounts! Those guys deserve every penny.
  • 1 0
 Do you know how much they got paid? Especially the bronze podium winners? So cool to see them supporting the up and coming riders like that!
  • 4 0
 @Kustomango: I just looked at the giant cheques they were holding Big Grin
  • 8 0
 Deffo not David Lieb in that photo. Stoked he worked his way into the main event after being a second alternate in the Bronze Event. Solid event. Hope to see some videos from it.
  • 2 0
 No joke. George too. Wish I could have been at this event.
  • 2 0
 Yup, I am trying to get it changed. I knew about that one earlier yesterday. /ducks
  • 4 0
 This is a huge accomplishment for TVS. Huge respect. Putting on events like this is insanely difficult. And to do it right is even harder. Riders are all stoked. Fans are stoked. Etc. Freaking sweet. Looking forward to seeing where it goes in the future.
  • 6 1
 How about featuring all the guys on the grind that we dont see at the other events. Grassroots event... grassroots riders. That's what i was looking for.
  • 6 2
 "Tom V. is holding an invitational event with big features? Aw man, I was totally expecting a bunch of randos you never see competing at the top events because they used the word 'grassroots' in the event recap article!"
  • 3 0
 @scott-townes: Just because they're not one of the 10 dudes you see at Crankworx doesn't mean they're random guys. I'm not saying I don't love the coverage on the big names. Just would like to see more on the rest of the guys that competed.

I'm talking about the young guys coming up looking for a way on the tour.

It's rad seeing all those huge names out there but what about some coverage for the Bronze Open portion of the comp? George. Meech, etc. This is a rare opportunity for these guys to get some exposure. And experience.

No knock on the event what so ever. It looks amazing and I'm stoked as hell for TVS. This was a huge accomplishment. Just was hoping on a big more coverage on the "other" guys.

Personally, I'd love to see more coverage on all these types of events. Fest. Etc. Just tons of photos and stories about what's going on at the events. These events are helping keep the sport alive.
  • 4 0
 @onemanarmy: Not to worry there is plenty more coverage to come. It was a busy weekend and we have lots of photos and videos to be released through our PB blog and social media. There's few great shots from the Bronze event on our Instagram to tide you over until then. Cheers.
  • 2 0
 @bikebigwhite: Hells yeah!

Yeah it was a big weekend. XC. DH. Slope. Pastrana. LOL!
  • 4 0
 Great to see a such a commitment from Big White to developing more riding options. I look forward to riding there next trip to BC.
  • 7 0
 big respect to the owners and management team, you can tell they are fully committed to mountain biking and not half assing anything. Hope to visit soon.
  • 1 0
 This event was awesome. My son and I went up and loved seeing just how massive these jumps are up close on the hill. The tricks these riders do are amazing. Can't wait for Joyride. See you at Joyride and next year at Big White.
  • 1 0
 Silly question time, so what do they do with a course like this after the event? Is it flattened?, I can't see them leaving it up. I think this is a great event and big props to Big White for putting the effort into this event.
  • 3 0
 Howdy Brownstone. I am the Park Manager for Bike Big White. Really happy that you are so stoked with everything we are doing for Slope Style riding. But down to business, we are working on a plan for both courses for the near future. We need to consult with all stakeholders involved to develop a program that will be part of our operational bike park. I really appreciate your interest. Stay tuned for some big exciting news in the next few weeks.
  • 3 0
 Damn...I need tighter jeans...Then maybe I could do tricks like that.
  • 2 0
 Who got the joyride wildcard?
  • 1 1
 Pretty sure it's Carson Storch
  • 7 0
 Torquato Testa
  • 2 0
 Testa got it. From Alternate for Joyride to being in.
  • 1 0
 @trailblitz: It's Torquato, Carson posted about it on IG
  • 2 0
 This was so awesome to watch, we'll be back next year!
  • 2 1
 ^^ Something I should have mentioned in the article. Damnit. I'm just getting use to this. hehehe

my bad.
  • 2 0
 Get photos and article @ClintTrahan!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.044500
Mobile Version of Website