Red Bull Brings Snowboarding to Manhattan
Snowscrapers a Big Hit – Or Not?

A week’s passed, and people are still buzzing about Red Bull’s Snowscrapers
at East River Park in New York City. In fact, Mayor Bloomberg even declared February 5 as Red Bull Snowboarding Day. But the discussion boards aren’t revealing the most positive comments.

BettyLife arrived on the scene around 4 p.m. for about an hour and a half of warm-ups. The 90-foot drop in, created from recycled containers, was definitely icy and definitely slow so it seemed like the guys weren’t getting enough speed and air, which disappointed many. Despite nearly single-digit temperatures, thousands of spectators filled the snowy park to witness some of snowboarding's hottest (and I don't just mean looks) pro riders from around the world. Sixteen riders including crowd faves like Travis Rice, Bjorn Leines, Shaun White and Terje Haakonsen got their test runs in before sunset over the city skyline. Weaving his way through the crowd, Torstein Horgmo (2nd place) stopped to comment that the drop in “was a little slow.” The Norway native said he’s never been to New York, so he seemed pretty stoked on the scene.

After about an hour and a half and no feeling in our feet, we headed to a warming tent for some much-needed relief. Then it was back out to the sidelines for the 60-minute jam session. One run after another proved the drop in probably should have been taller to allow for more speed and air to get over the double hip. Best trick winner and my personal favorite of the night, Terje Haakonsen stomped a one-footed method air that left the crowd in awe with cheers all around.

By 7 p.m., the jam session was winding down and with only two minutes remaining, the judges picks included Daniel Eck, Shayne Pospisil, Travis Rice, Shaun White, and Andreas Wiig (in no particular order, of course). Oh, and by the way, that quickly changed. By the end of the night it was down to four – Torstein and Travis plus Shayne and Scotty. With a $100,000 purse, it was anybody’s game; but Jersey boy Shayne walked away with the win and a deep $50,000 pocket. Torstein and Scotty placed second and third respectively.

Red Bull may need to work out the kinks for next year, but does that really mean you need to hate? In this economy you should be thankful Red Bull could actually pull this free event off in the first place. To gather 16 of the industry’s busiest riders and bring them together for an event open to anyone and everyone is quite the feat. The only thing I’m disappointed about is there wasn’t one female rider in the contest. What’s up with that? Guess we’ll have to wait until next year.

Photos by Joey Perron-Kozar

Red Bull Snowscrapers Finals Video