The ‘Cat came back, it couldn’t stay away.
The second Rattlecat Cup is on at Red Mountain Resort this weekend, bringing the west’s best boarder-cross racers to dig their claws into their turns for ultra-acceleration and for bragging rights until next year in banked slalom action on Rossland’s snowy slopes.
A banked slalom racecourse is one in which gate turns are set on snow banks.
The Rattlecat Cup started after the local ‘Rattlecat Shred Posse’ got together and decided to create an annual banked slalom to bring riders and friends together to celebrate snowboarding, said co-organizer Candy Reynolds.
“We were inspired by other banked slaloms like the Neil Edgeworth Memorial banked slalom and the Legendary Baker banked slalom and decided to host our own rendition at Red Resort,” she said.
Snowboarders of all ages and abilities are welcome to register.
“We get everyone from beginners to national team riders battling it out on the same course for shred cred, Rattlecat hoodies, and the coveted silver plated gold forks,” Reynolds said.
At the end of the race, the fastest man and the fastest woman also get their name on the Rattlecat Cup, and win a catboarding day with Big Red Cats.
There are also lots of draw prizes for all registered riders from snowboard industry companies, including snowboards and gear.
Last year the Rattlecat drew 105 riders to its inaugural race, and it’s looking even better this year, said Reynolds.
The banked slalom is going to be held at the bottom half of Red. Riders get one timed run each day and the best time of the weekend wins the category.
The ladies’ categories are 18 and under and 19 and over. The guys’ categories are 14 and under, 15 to 18, and 19 and over.
“We are also having a switch race,” said Reynolds. “The course will be epic regardless of the weather conditions.”
Racers can register online at http://www.redresort.com/general-news/rattlecat-cup-2014/ to guarantee entry, or register in person at Red in the conference centre on Friday, March 14 from 5-8 p.m.
