Progression
By Ben Starr
Sunshine, bluebird skies, perfect temperatures – conditions couldn’t have been better for the second annual Red Bull Buttercup at Holiday Valley Saturday.
The event started off with a bang with the amateur qualifying jam sessions. Some of the top amateurs from all around brought it to the course. In a competition that is all about the smoothness of the run, the riders attacked the course making each transition and board slide look more effortless than the last.
Not to be out done, the pro’s took to the course. Laying it out in a session that can only be described as progressive. Each rider pushing the limits of the rider before. Mind-blowing butters coupled with high-flying transitions between features made for one of the finest displays seen at the Valley.
The qualifiers led inevitably to the finals. Both groups of qualifying riders laid down their smoothest runs of the day for the judges. These one hour sessions (one for each class) redefined smoothness and style. As always, Red Bull and Holiday Valley did an outstanding job with the course, design and the grooming of the snow and the buttery smoothness of the competition itself.
The winners for each class are as follows:
Pro Results: 1st- Frank Knab, 2nd- Jordan Soohy, 3rd- Ricky Beuler
AM Results: 1st- Nicholas Palombi, 2nd- Austin Solo, 3rd- Tim Smith
Women’s MVP: Laura Daniels
Huge props to the riders as well as to Holiday Valley’s 42/78 park crew, Chris Perks, Dan Kowksy, Cody Voit, Toby Carlson, Paul Quiter, Matt Lisi and Denny ‘Wolfman’ Jacques. According to Holiday Valley’s Pat Morgan, “They all stepped up and worked long hours to make this event go off.”
This is the second year of the Buttercup tour stop at Holiday Valley. When asked, “Why Holiday Valley?” Pat Morgan responded, “I think what keeps Red Bull coming back is the ease of getting things done. We have a great resort partnership with them, and continue to expand on our successes year after year. We have a creative think tank, essentially, which is never short on ideas to meet Red Bulls’ standards for progressive and creative events. Our turnout is always exactly what we’re looking for.” And snowboarders and snowboard fans couldn’t agree more.
