Dew Tour Ski Slopestyle Qualifiers

Words & photos: John Vandervalk
Videos: Neil Sotirakopoulos

The first stop of the Winter Dew Tour continued today in Breckenridge, Colorado with the Ski Slopestyle Open Qualifiers.

Although the weatherman predicted otherwise, it was a morning of grey skies and continuos champagne powder following the few inches of fresh snow that blanketed the slopes during last night's surprise storm. Nonetheless, much like in yesterday's pipe qualifiers, the 46 skiers attempting to qualify for tomorrow's prelims were jacked up, on point, and ready to show everyone in attendance what's possible on snow.

Elias Ambuhl had a bit of a tough start today when he washed out on the first run, but absolutely slayed it on the second with two deep doubles that helped him score the top spot.

Elias Ambuhl

Jacob Wester came out swinging and throwing down as always, with a 450 on 270 off, to right 9, to switch left cork 9, to double cork 12, to sliding the Toyota box, and capping it off with 450 on 270 on the rails down below, landing him in second place.

Jacob Wester

Ian Cosco proved that he's not all full-frontal male nudity and blue angels by skiing better than ever today, and rounded out the non-existent podium by claiming third place.

Chug Life

Just behind Cosco was the younger brother of E'Dollo, Oscar Harlaut, who is beginning to make his mark on the ski world to the delight of all, followed by Park City dwellers Alex Schlopy and McRae Williams, further proving that there's something in the water out there...or maybe it's just PC's epic park.

Alex Schlopy

McRae Williams

Rounding out the nine skiers who will be moving on to tomorrow's prelims were the triple threat European combination of Pekka Hyysalo, Glacier 3000 Invitational champion Elvis Harsheim, and Benedikt Mayr, all of whom will surely be a serious threat to the 20 pre-qualified slopestyle athletes.

Banks Gilberti

Just missing the bubble was Banks Gilberti, who was displaying his usual barrage of style as silky smooth as his flowing hair, and speaking of good hair (and big air), although he continued to ski like a man possessed after being considered an early favorite during practice, Matt Margetts washed out a few times while trying a variety of doubles and also failed to make the cut.

Matt Margetts

Stay tuned to NS for more from the first stop of the Winter Dew Tour as the weekend continues in Breckenridge, Colorado. Up next, yesterday's nine qualifiers will battle it out with the 16 pre-qualified athletes in tonight's Ski Superpipe Prelims, and you won't want to miss it!

Results

1) Elias Ambuhl - 87.50
2) Jacob Wester - 86.17
3) Ian Cosco - 83.17
4) Oscar Harlaut - 82.50
5) Alex Schlopy - 80.50
6) McRae Williams - 78.50
7) Pekka Hyysalo - 76.67
8) Elvis Eidsvold Harsheim - 76.00
9) Benedikt Mayr - 75.33

cut-off

10) Banks Gilberti - 73.33
11) Charlie Lasser - 73.17
12) Dane Tudor - 72.67
13) John Strenio - 72.50
14) John Spriggs - 70.17
15) David Wise - 70.00
16) Karl Fostvedt - 69.67
17) Peter Olenick - 67.83
18) Joe Schuster - 66.67
19) Sean Logan - 66.00
20) Nick Goepper - 65.83
21) Corey Vanular - 64.67
22) Luke Nutting - 61.50
23) Aleksander Aurdal - 61.17
24) Sean Decker - 60.83
25) Erik Hughes - 59.33
26) Josh Bibby - 56.50
27) Joss Christensen - 56.00
28) Casey Krueger - 55.67
29) Patt Goodnough - 54.83
30) Ahmet Dadali - 53.33
31) Julien Lange - 51.00
32) Colby Albino - 50.67
33) Beau-James Wells - 50.17
34) Michael Clarke - 47.50
35) Tyler Peterson - 45.00
36) Chris Laker - 39.00
37) Gus Kenworthy - 33.33
38) Vincent Gagnier - 30.83
39) Andri Ambuhl - 30.17
40) Kolby Ward - 28.50
41) Matt Margetts - 26.67
42) Tim Russell - 23.50
43) Grant Savidge - 18.17
44) Marshall LaCroix - 18.17
45) Tosh Peters - 15.83
46) Kim Boberg - 15.83

Tom Wallisch practicing for tomorrow's prelims