February 7th, 2011, Golden, BC…. It was arguably the biggest two-day big mountain showdown ever hosted in the west. This year’s Wrangle the Chute blew off the barn doors exceeding expectations and leaving spectators in complete awe. The showdown combined three unique elements including big mountain skiing / riding, a massive terrain park jump finishing off with a bucking bronco ride on the custom kicking horse – suspended between two snowcats, accompanied with a grandstand patio, live DJ and outdoor BBQ.
Athletes laid down serious claims on the cash purse that was on the line, with numerous athletes dropping cliff lines surpassing 60feet. The judges were overwhelmed with the ski and ride talent displayed at the event, however at the end of the day Mathew Montandon from Nelson took home the grand prize, skiing a huge line and pulling a 360 spin off a 50ft cliff while keeping his run fluid and smooth. This allowed him to gain two extra points against Daryl Treadway who pushed the skiable limits of Big Mountain terrain that would even have a pack of Billy Goats in shock. 15 Year old Rossignol Athlete Logan Pehota took third place as he silenced the spectators, stomping a massive exposed line then rolling into the finish line tossing down a massive spin off the jump.
“In three short years of hosting Wrangle the Chute, the event is quickly surpassing the quality of any other freeride event in the world,” states Steve Paccagnan President and CEO, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. “The athletes challenged the course and exceeded the expectations of the record breaking crowd. The entire resort engaged in the cowboy spirit and welcomed visitors with a good old yeah haw!”
Thirteen women also partook in the action with Wendy Burns, from Golden, taking an aggressive approach to the Big Mountain Terrain and adding some lasso style to her bronco ride on EJ Hector. Emma Whitman from Sun Peaks stepped up and threw down on the finish line jump impressing the crowd with her overall style, while Zoya Lynch rounded off a solid third place finish.
The event also included a unique one day under the gun photo shootout named ‘Wrangle the Shoot’ which took place Saturday, February 5th. The vision of the event is to put the photographers under the gun to capture the day’s action and provide five images at the end of the day for an art show which celebrates the first day of action. Prizing was awarded to the following: Best Lifestyle – Alex Giesbrecht, Best Action – Andrew Mirabito, Best Landscape – Alex Giesbrecht, People Choice Photographer – Ruben Krabbe and Promoter’s Choice – Andrew Mirabito.
Special thanks to all the partners who helped make Wrangle the Chute come to life, including the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Big Mountain Centre, Rossignol, Red Bull, Big Rock Brewery, Misconduct Wines, Wrangler Jeans, Smith Optics and Kombi Gloves.
~Submitted
