BY JEFFREY WEIDEL
The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour (RBT) wrapped up its second stop last week (March 7-8) at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Some very good mid-winter snow conditions and a bluebird sky set the scene for a weekend of high speed conditions that were ideal for this adrenaline-fueled skiing and snowboarding competition for both men and women.
Alexis Machovsky and Caitlin Robinson.
The course headed down the face of the famed Wall at Kirkwood ski resort in a race to see who was the fastest on the mountain. The winners took home some of the $50,000 Banzai tour prize purse and were one step closer to a Banzai title.
To check out a video of the Banzai action, visit this YouTube link.
This year’s Wall Banzai attracted some new riders like Tyler Wallasch (US Ski Cross), who elevated the competition and pushed veteran athletes, which made for some truly unique and exciting entertainment.
Banzai founder Daron Rahlves and the Kirkwood race crew set the course with the intent for fast, technical, and intense riding. Starting on the Wall, riders kicked off and raced for the ‘Go-Pro Holeshot.’ Building speed and making wide turns, racers then sent it big over the ‘Alaska Airlines Flightdeck’ and into Snowsnake Gully for the ‘Reach79 Speed Trap.
“Kirkwood’s natural terrain with great snow conditions produced one of the most intense RBT events ever,” Daron Rahlves said. “I love the way the mountain changes from wide open big terrain on top to a tight and technical gully. It produced amazing ski and snowboard action with passing through technical turns and airs really showcasing the skill level of our competitors. The crowd got a great show in all divisions, but especially from the strongest field of men ski to date.”
Qualifying runs and the first round of 16 for women and 32 for men went down the Wall on Saturday. The women ski field had a surprise as Alpine Meadows first-round winner Shannon Rahlves spun out after taking the lead in the first turn. She did not make it past the first round, but was fine physically and has her eyes on Sugar Bowl’s Silver Belt Banzai March 14-15.
In the end, the “Bank of the West Fastest Qualifier” (time of 1:13.15) was Kyle Coxon, who continued his reign with another win in Men’s Ski. Shelly Robertson took first place in Women’s Ski; Lucas Dehmlow won Men’s Snowboard; and Audrey Hebert continued her success streak with her second win of this season’s tour (wining despite a long 16-hour drive from Telluride, CO competing in the Subaru Freeride Series).
Bobby Minghini captured the ‘Alaska Airlines Flightdeck’ award of $100 flight credit with a big method air.
The Super Finals and final stop of the tour will be this weekend at Sugar Bowl Resort for the Silver Belt Banzai. Tour Champion titles, based on points earned from three events, will be awarded the prestigious RBT trophies made by local company Mountain Forge. At stake this weekend will be round-trip airfare on Alaska Airlines, a trip to the 30th Arctic Man SKI / SNB / Snowmobile race, which also includes Alaska Airlines flights to each RBT tour champion to Anchorage, and the remaining prize purse of $50,000.
Jesse Maddex earned the second spot in the “Super Final” from his third place at Kirkwood (Tyler Wallasch will be in Europe). Coxon will match up against Daron Rahlves for the one run winner takes all $5,000 and “Banzai Master.”
Men’s Ski
- Kyle Coxon
- Tyler Wallasch
- Jesse Maddex
- Robert Mahre
Men’s Snowboard
- Lucas Dehmlow
- Jayson Hale
- Sylvain DuClos
- Bobby Minghini
Women’s Ski
- Shelly Robertson
- Alexis Machovsky
- Caitlin Robinson
- Emily Barrett
Women’s Snowboard
- Audrey Hebert
- Mariah Dugan
- Holly Enderle
- Lindsay Wexler
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting his winter website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
