Air Supply

The massive launching pad saw some speedy take-offs Monday as the Westbeach Classic concluded with one very big air contest. North Vancouver native Kevin Sansalone had a $3,000 day, winning the men's big air after laying down smooth, switch rodeo 720s for his last two jumps. Quebec native Rube Goldberg (sporting a broken wrist) finished close behind Sansalone, taking $1,500 and 2nd place after displaying beautiful airs all day, including a textbook backside 720. This is Goldberg's first major win and he was simply delighted as he approached the podium with a beaming smile and a freshly-cracked can of Molson Canadian. (He's hoping his "sponsors" might actually pay his contest entrance fees now.)

Goldberg is part of the Canadian collective that dominated both the halfpipe and big air during this low-key Westbeach Classic. In fact, all of the 12 men's finalists were riding under the red and white maple leaf. Of course, it didn't hurt that there was only one Swede and three Americans among the 39 entrants. Despite the lack of serious competition from abroad, Canadians were really busting out some talent all weekend.

"This is definitely a Canadian contest," said Sansalone, who also won the Westbeach big air in 1998. "There were probably 50-60 percent French Canadians, and a lot of West Coast guys. These guys are awesome, all these kids are pushing it like crazy. In qualifying there was probably four 900s that went down, and a lot of 720s."

In fact, up and comer Randy Schultz did two triple-flips, landing the second one. All eyes were on Marc Andre Tarte, who took 3rd in the Sims big air, but he ended up coming in 6th here at Westbeach. As the day progressed, it seemed as though no trick was out of the question and everyone was trying new stuff.

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Only 10 women entered the big air but they made a big impact, charging the kicker and launching large backside 500s and a couple of inverted tricks. Canadians Amelie Verret and Star of Peace Quinn landed in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The fact that Verret even took her second run after splattering flat and hard on her first attempt is a testament to her strength (or insanity?).

But Canadian Leah Wagner flew best, finishing the day with a clean front flip, and taking her first professional win. Wagner, who took 2nd in the X Games big air, said it was a great day for hucking.

"The jump was the best that there's been all year long, but I like it better when there's lots of people around and when it's held at nighttime. It's a lot more fun," said the rider from Kelowna, B.C. Her next mission: to relax and ride halfpipe a bit this summer.

Of course, the weather finally started to clear just as the winners were being announced. But sunny skies wouldn't have made for a more raucous crowds; there just weren't many bodies around all weekend. In fact, were it not for the announcer's relentless and redundant rambling, the contests would have seemed more like really impressive afternoon freestyle sessions. No one seemed to mind, though. There were no TV-camera people causing delays and course holds, no throng of press folks and photographers in the finish area. But that doesn't mean names like Leah Wagner and Rube Goldberg will quickly fade into obscurity.

So keep an eye out for them next season. The new new school is emerging.

—Mary Catherine O'Connor, searching for dual citizenship for MountainZone.com