Massive congratulations to Tignes local, Katie Blundell, who won her first Brits Big Air in Laax in March. After a couple of seasons in NZ and America, Katie was shocked by her success but we reckon she's definitely one to watch out for in the future...
Blue skies welcomed in the second day of snowboard competition and the Giro British Big Air Championships at the BRITS with newcomers Billy Morgan and Katie Blundell taking the 2010 Giro British Big Air Championship Titles.
During the men’s qualification rounds a selection of stylish 7’s 9’s, corked 10’s and double front-flips were being thrown down showcasing just how high the current standard of UK snowboarding is.
Only 12 spots in the final were up for grabs and it was Billy Morgan who was crowned the 2010 British Giro Big Air Champion, his first ever BRITS win, after landing a super technical double corked 1080. Jamie Nicholls who had qualified through to the final in top spot finished in a very close second after riding super strong all day and also landing a double corked 1080. Third place went to Scott Penman with a double front flip, with a special mention also going to Nelson Pratt who missed out on a podium placing by just 1 decimal point after he stomped a stylish frontside 900.
Billy Morgan quoted: “I landed pretty clean so I was pretty happy, I came sixth last year as I just couldn’t land my tricks but this time I’ve done less partying, spent more time on the hill and just done a lot more training so I think I was a lot more focused this time.”
During the women’s competition Aimee Fuller was leading the way and setting the standard, qualifying through to the six women final in top spot with a huge stylish laid out back-flip. Aimee unfortunately crashed out in the final and the title was left wide open for newcomer, Katie Blundell, who scooped up her first ever BRITS gold and the 2010 Giro British Big Air Title after she landed a huge, solid straight air over the big kicker. Second place with a stylish nose grab went to Sophie Addison, with Rebecca Cullum finishing in third with a straight air tweaked tail grab over the big kicker.
Katie Blundell quoted: “I just can’t believe I’ve won the standard was really high today and it’s only my fourth or fifth competition. I’ve been in America for the last three months and literally ridden every day except for three days so I think that’s definitely helped.”
Men
1st – Billy Morgan
2nd – Jamie Nicholls
3rd – Scott Penman
Women
1st - Katie Blundell
2nd - Sophie Addison
