Even the sun came out to support the Southernfreestyle Club’s annual freestyle Ski competition held at the John Nike Ski Centre on Saturday 9^th June, 2012.

More than 50 competitors armed with their supporters journeyed from far and wide to take part in this extreme sports competition, which has become a popular event in the UK freestyle calendar.  Proceedings started at 10.30am with registration and practice, followed by the main ‘Jam’, which saw skiers and snowboarders alike battle it out over huge jumps and rails to win an array of  prizes.

Chairman of the Southernfreestyle Club, Dave Saunders, who organized the event, commented that he was pleased with the large turnout.  He said that none of it would have been possible without the huge support of a range of sponsors, including www.surfdome.com, Atomic UK, Animal Clothing, Butta Wax, Carters Reading and many more.

Southernfreestyle Club was set up over 5 years ago and is now regarded in the snowsports industry as one of the main training platforms at grass roots level to launch young individuals into the England and GB Freestyle ski teams.  Two ski club members, who participated in Saturday’s event, Michael Rowlands (14) from Kent and Tom Saunders (14) who attends Emmbrook School in Wokingham, have recently been selected for the England Freestyle team and hope one day to represent GB in future Winter Olympic Games.

Overall categories and winners:

Skiers

Under 16 years (Male)

1^st Michael Rowlands

2^nd Tom Saunders

3^rd Kyle Wood

Over 16 years (Male)

1^st Tom Coe

2^nd Ollie Powell

3^rd Kiran Patel

Under 16 Years (Female)

1^st Maddie Rowlands

2^nd Emily Keen

3^rd Lexi Rowlands

Over 16 years (Female)

1^st Rachael Walsh

Snowboarders

Under 16 years (Male)

1^st Jake Binnee

2^nd Max Wittrick

3^rd Bradley Gaulter

Over 16 years (Male)

1^st Jack Labbett

2^nd Dunstan Langrish

3^rd Matt David

Under 16 Years (Female)

1^st Becky Menday

2^nd Amber Cordingley

3^rd Bradie Zimmer-Collins

Over 16 years (Female)

1^st Sam Rogers

2^nd Helen Pickford

Southernfreestyle Club hold freestyle coaching sessions on Sundays from 9.30-11.00am at the John Nike Centre and practice sessions on Tuesday evenings from 7.00-10.00pm.  Skiers need to be level 4+.