The air was cold, the skies were blue and the 40 foot jump was
looking pristine. With music blaring from the Alpine park crew’s shack
practice was under way for the Toyota Sick and Twisted Freestyle Series
pro/am big air for skiers and snowboarders. Bobby Witty, Brandon
Cocard, Billy Mann, Davis Souza, Silas Stannard and Chris Bosco, who
showed up helmet less, were on hand to represent the Porter’s team.
Andy Finch made an appearance to get some free riding in and hit the
jump. During practice boys and girls were throwing down backside fives
and sevens, rodeos, straight airs and of course the ever popular 1080.

The Jump
Each group was given two jumps, with everyone hitting the jump once
and then hitting it again. Women started the competition off, and their
group was small, so snowboarders and skiers competed against each
other. While standing there watching the women, there was a sudden
silence in the audience and a lot of wows when one of the girls, a
snowboarder, threw a sick backside five, with mad style. Even the boys
were impressed. She won the women’s event with that one trick. The
women skiers were tearing it up as well and local girl Susie Cuddy was
doing nice switch 180’s.

Bobby Witty. Backside 540 Tail
The men’s group started off with pro skiers and local boy Sean Kerry
was stomping every trick he threw. Team rider Davis Souza stomped a
switch misty 900, and that landed him second place. The pro snowboard
class was up next and our boys were spinin’ hard. However, Bobby was
illing from a hamburger, so that left us with Brandon Cocard, Silas
Stanndard and Chris Bosco, we got him a brand new helmet with one phone
call. The competition was stiff and the jump was getting hacked but the
boys gave it their all.

Brandon Cocard. Backside 540 Nose Grab.
Next up was the am skiers and am snowboarders and even though both
theses groups were small they showed the crowd that they could ride.
One of the am skiers was called out for doing a 900 and asked to sign
up for the pro group at the next Snowbomb event. Ryan Lant, who runs
the Incline Store, son Cody was in the am group and had a little
binding incident so his mom ran to the Tahoe City store, got it fixed
and was back in time for him to get in his second jump.

Brandon Cocard. Backside Rodeo 5.
In the end the sun was setting, the temp was dropping and the award
ceremony was held on the sundeck while The Starving Millionaires played
in the background. First prize in the pro group was $500 and first
prize for the am group was a snowboard, not bad for a day of fun
shredding and hucking in the sun.
The Angry Intern
www.porterstahoe.com