Waiting for the window of opportunity at Red Bull Ultra Natural
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The field is on the hill and ready for the perfect window of opportunity.
Sixteen of the world’s best snowboarders are fine-tuning the equipment at Baldface Lodge outside of Nelson in preparation for the second Red Bull Ultra Natural.
The competitors arrived Thursday as helicopter after helicopter trekked boarders up to the mountain top resort and now wait for that single day between now and February 21.
The single day competition ensures that the event takes place under only the best possible conditions – a mix of deep powder, good sunlight, and safe conditions.
Waiting for the 16 best is the 45-plus degree slope nicknamed “Scary Cherry” within Baldface’s tenure — a course put together by none other than Travis Rice, the 2012 champ.
The riders will be met with a wider start area, more line options, more than 80 refined on-course features, additional creative transitions and an even more inspiring jib section. This year riders will be judged on overall impression of their run with the better of two runs counting.
Added to the mix because of an injury to Kazu Kokub is Austrian rider Wolfgang Nyvelt.
“I was really looking forward to riding with everyone again this year and hope to join everyone again next year,” said Kokubo. “Good luck to all the riders, get some powder for me.”
The list of riders ready for the challenge at the 2013 Red Bull Ultra Natural include: Travis Rice, Gigi Rüf, Nicolas Müller, Lucas Debari, Wolfgang Nyvelt, Jake Blauvelt, David Carrier-Porcheron, Eero Niemela, Terje Håkonsen, Mark McMorris, Pat Moore, Mikey Rencz, Torstein Horgmo, Bode Merrill, Jussi Oksanen and Bryan Fox.
Fans in the U.S. can tune-in to NBC on March 30th at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT to catch Red Bull Ultra Natural presented by Nike Snowboarding.
The show airs as part of the Red Bull Signature Series, an action sports property featuring some of Red Bull’s top events including Dreamline, Wake Open and Rampage.
The Red Bull Signature Series is the most progressive and innovative action sports property in the world, featuring surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, skiing, BMX, wakeboarding and motorsports events.
For more information, please visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com.
To watch the event trailer and learn more about Red Bull Ultra Natural, please visit www.redbull.com/ultranatural.
