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.
Photo: Wally Randall
Athletes laid down serious claims on the cash purse that was on the line, with numerous athletes dropping cliff lines surpassing 60 feet. 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 50-foot cliff with 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.
Photo: Andrew Mirabito
“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!”
Photo: Andrew Mirabito
Thirteen women also partook in the action with Wendy Burns, from Golden, taking an aggressive approach to the Big Moutain 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.
Photo: Andrew Mirabito
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.
Photo: Barry Cox
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.
Results
Men
1) Matthew Montandon - 270
2) Daryl Treadway - 268
3) Logan Pehota - 262
4) Stu Bilodeau - 253
5) Phil Hudec - 252
6) Michael Brush - 227
7) Carter McMillan - 225
8) Lane Clark - 223
9) Cody Erwin - 222
10) Ryan Sullivan - 221
11) Michael Legare - 219
12) Chris Shook - 209
13) Kieran Nikula - 208
14) Keegan Capel - 205
15) Nathan Wood - 204
16) Brett Dawley - 202
17) Laurent Gauthier - 198
17) Matt Cote - 198
18) Jordy Kidner - 194
19) Nate Briggs - 192
20) Jeff Harker - 191
21) Jesse Montandon - 177
22) Eric Young - 176
22) Davis Fultz - 176
23) Mitchell Chernoff - 175
24) Mike Hopkins - 172
25) Alex Wall - 169
26) Mike Witlox - 167
27) Drew Wittstock - 165
28) Austin Ross - 162
29) Matt Elliot - 159
30) Roy Mitchell - 155
30) Curtis McLaughlin - 155
30) Dylan Ross - 155
31) Brodie McLaughlin - 152
32) Bryce McLean - 150
32) Devon Randall - 149
33) Zack Opheim - 144
34) Ryan Hartlin - 139
35) Daniel Tapper - 133
36) Rodrigo Vasquez - 132
37) Mason Goodchild - 118
38) George Ezard - 108
39) Justin Todd - 94
40) Per Nyberg - 93
41) Jon Emberly - 91
42) Kevin Lux - 90
43) Kevin Beach - 82
45) Ryan Waddell - 77
44) David Booher - 77
Women
1) Wendy Burns - 179
2) Emma Whitman - 174
3) Zoya Lynch - 163
4) Rachel Findler - 162
5) Kasie Stroshin - 143
6) Tatum Monod - 142
7) Brooke Dawson - 136
8) Ane Vidar - 133
9) Jana Lindqvist - 122
10) Ali Schroeder - 116
11) Alexandra McMurray - 95
12) Laura Sliva - 87
13) Izzy Lynch - 48
Photos
Promoter's Choice
1) Andrew Mirabito
2) Joe Carter
3)
Luke Charbonneau
People's Choice
1) Ruben Krabbe
2) Barry Cox
3) Alex Giesbrecht
Best Action
1) Andrew Mirabito
2) Chris Thompson
Best Lifestyle
1) Alex Giesbrecht
2) Barry Cox
3) Wally Randall
Best Landscape
1) Barry Cox
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