Well the next big comp in skiing has come to a conclusion. The first annual North American Open is over, but not before there was some insane park and pipe skiing laid down in the process.

The finals started on Saturday and things got going quick. Riders threw down right from the beginning in hopes of wining over the judges hearts. Everything from right and left side spins, switch double fronts, double rodeos, switch double rodeos and double corks where stomped in the mayhem. There were a ton of skiers going off all day and it was echoed through the athletes that this was the best open they have ever particpated in.

The all-around vibe was great and all the athletes seemed to share the same enthusiasm for the level of skiing displayed pushed by both the jumps and format. Saturday ended with Jacob Wester(gold), Jon Olsson(silver) and Tanner Rainville(bronze) standing atop the podium.

Jacob’s run consisted of a left 9(unnatural for Jacob), switch right 9 and a double cork 1260. Jon styled his way onto the podium with a fluid run throwing a switch ten to switch misty nine and finished it out with his signature Kangaroo Flip. Tanner was a constant force all day stomping a switch 7 to switch 9 double grab to a cork 9 holding the grab throughout the whole spin.

All-in-all, the slopestyle showed the highest level of park skiing ever seen in a competition. The pipe was no different story either. Simon Dumont was boosting all day and took home the gold. He was followed by Dan Marion and Matt Duhamel. All sorts of spins were thrown through out the day including both right and left side 9’s, switch 7’s and 10’s and of course 1260’s.

Lets not forget the ladies either, they held their own both days with a few of them spinning 720’s, both switch and unnatural. How is that for the girls? Talk about progression.

This comp has really set the bar for opens and both Jon Olsson and Simon Dumont are planning a bigger and better event for next year. Stay tuned for the NAO 2009!

Posted by Derek on Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 in Snow.

• -North American Open is Under Way
• -Jon Olsson and Simon Dumont Team Up to Redefine Ski Competitions
• -Nike’s Venture into WQS a Success
• -6.0 Lowers Pro Becomes First Ever ASP 6-Star PRIME on U.S. Mainland
• -Hurley: New Title Sponsor for U.S. Open of Surfing