The first event of the Winter Dew Tour is in the books. A chilly and cold night prevailed here in Breckenridge as 12 pipe skiers put it all on the line, hopes of winning prestige, glory, a nice cash purse, and probably some pro hoes later on this evening. After it was all said and done, Mike Riddle prevailed the victor, with Jossi Wells taking 2nd and reigning X Games gold medalist, Xavier Bertoni in 3rd.
Riddle, who fell on his first run, put it together on his second run: double flatspin to right 900 to left 900 to alley oop flatspin 360 to switch 900. All of King Riddle's tricks were in typical high amplitude fashion, and stomped like he was born to do nothing else. The man, the myth, the kiwi, Jossi Wells brought the heat tonight in his run: left 900, right 900, double flatspin, right 720 and switch 900. The switch 900, which Jos shiftied, was so beautiful that it made grown men in the crowd weep. Xavier, who has been bringing the heat all weekend long, demonstrated some of his French riding for the crowd: Double flatspin, left 900, right 900, alley oop flatspin 360, and switch 720. Narrowly missing out on the podium, Kevin Rolland's double flatspin mute and tech run was just nudged out by his fellow countryman. Justin Dorey's run showed promise after his double flat to alley oop flatspin, but he lost a bit too much speed after his switch 900 was landed a little low. A stranger to being off the podium, Simon Dumont charged Breck's pipe as usual, dropping a large 900 to large right 900 to double flip to alley oop 900; apparently it just wasn't The Dumont's night tonight.
Matt Duhamel, Thomas Krief, Team Captain Dan Marion and Banks Gilberti all put down solid runs, but was missing the double flip pizzaz that the judges were looking for tonight. But a strong showing, nonetheless. David Wise, who couldn't put down his two double cork 1260s, ended up banging up his knee, hopefully a fast recovery follows. Tonight's pipe skiers have officially harkened in a new era of pipe riding. Gone are the days of hucking and twisting, succeeded by a blend of technicality and amplitude, not seen before. This Winter Dew Tour event has set the bar, and we'll see how all this new pipe hubbub shakes out in Snowbasin, UT. Congratulations to all the skiers tonight and big ups to the Winter Dew Tour. Stay tuned tomorrow for the Slopestyle Finals, as the battle for Winter Dew glory continues in a different arena.
