(Saint-Sauveur, April 5, 2008) – Mont-Tremblant native Charles Reid has won the 2008 Empire
Shakedown grand finale, presented this Saturday at Mont Saint-Sauveur. In addition to honours, the 17
year old snowboarder also won himself $15 000 in prize money.
Empire Shakedown is one of the premium snowboarding events in the world - classed in the top five by
the snowboarding industry. This year’s competition also had two other Quebecois boarders climb onto the
podium, namely Sébastien Toutant, a 15 year old boarder from Lanaudière, and Sherbrook’s Antonin
Chamberland. Chamberland was in fact one of only two amateur snowboarders to take part in the finals,
the other being Saint-Sauveur’s Matt Kulisek.
In total, 35 professional and 3 amateur snowboarders participated in the event; the finals saw the 15 best
athletes retained for a showdown.
‘I’m very excited to have won, it was a fantastic day, and the conditions were ideal for snowboarding – we
could have even competed in fleece and t-shirts! I think the moves I really succeeded with, the front side
1080 and the back side 270 were what won me the competition. I don’t really know what to do with the
$15 000 prize money, but for the moment, its going to the bank. One thing is certain; I will be ready for
Shakedown 2009.’ explained an elated Reid.
Empire Shakedown is a unique competition among competitions, requiring that athletes master two
different snowboarding disciplines (the AMP booter jump, followed by the rail) in a jam format (unique to
the Shakedown).
Additionally, during the VANS Skateboarding half-time show and competition, Thomas Parent won top
honours and a money prize of $2 000.
An estimated 20 000 people have been present for the competition which has taken place over the past
two days. ‘The level of competition is very high and the boarders have been extremely creative; some
jumps we’ve never even seen before. The ambiance was incredible, especially today with the beautiful
weather we’re experiencing’ commented Brendan O’Dowd, President of DIZZLE Productions Inc, and one
of the Empire Shakedown’s organizers.
Top 3 Runs:
1st Charles Reid
- Jump: Front side 1080
- Double Kink rail: back side 270 lip on the kink rail
2nd Sebastien Toutant:
-Jump: Backside 1080 double cork
-Double Kink rail: gap to back lip
3rd Antonin Chamberland
- Jump: Front side 900
- Down rail: Front side 270
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