Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships Taos
Taos New Mexico rocks! Last week I flew down to Taos New Mexico bound for the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships, a World Freeride Qualifier Event. I got down there a few days early to have some time to check out the mountain before the comp started. I met up with Rose Daiek and Adam DeVargas from Kirkwood in Albuquerque airport. Thanks to Adam working his charm with the girl at Budget we drove off in a brand new Chevy Tahoe (without Rose's bag..but thats another story!) for a bargain price ....nice!! We stayed in the town of Taos, really cool artsy town about half an hour from the Taos Ski Valley. As with all the other events this season we turned up just in time for a huge storm! We had 3 days before the competition started to ride some of the best powder I have ridden in years, we were all in love with Taos. Thanks to a recommendation from the friendly crew at Taos we relaxed in the evenings with a soak at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. This place was so awesome, it had 10 different pools of different types and combinations of waters with temperatures ranging from 80-109 degrees. My favourite was the iron spring....soooooo good!
The competition was run over 3 days,on 3 different venues. As there were only 5 of us snowboard women so we got to run all 3 days with no cut to the field and cummulate the scores. First day venue was really fun, but I had a shocker of a run!! I just didnt know where my feet were that day and fell 3 times, needless to say I scored really poorly coming in 5th. I had some serious points to make up! The 2cnd day I had a much better run, picked up some points and was 3rd for day 2 putting me in 4th position. The 3rd and final day was held on Kachina Peak, an awesome venue. I loved my run, I had so much fun and was happy with how I rode. Unfortunately half way down my nose dug in to the powder and I went over the handlebars, but I still stuck to my line and I was happy. My run scored good points but not quite enough, i was so close to getting on that podium......bugger! I placed 4th. Rosemarie Daiek took the womens snowboard title, and she deseved every bit of it. She killed it throwing down solid impressive lines everyday. I was so stoked for her and for Adam who placed 2cnd after he smashed a really strong run. The atmosphere down the bottom of the venue was electric, it was the most beautiful bluebird day, the crowd were amped, there was the best crew to hang out with and we got to watch some spectacular boarding and skiing.
Taos you put on a kick ass event!!! Huge props to Alejandro Blake and his staff at Taos, you guys are awesome.
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