Wrightwood, CA – On Saturday, Southern California’s Mountain High Resort played host to the 13th annual Cholula Triple Air presented by Monster Energy. Riders and spectators alike were jacked up on caffeine and Wahoo’s fish tacos while MC’s Eli Weiner and Brad Farmer kept the event steamrolling through the day with witty banter and trick-by-trick shot calling. With over $30,000 in prize money on the line, the impending action was bound to be intense.nA decision before the event moved the competition venue from Mountain High’s East Resort back to West. A pack of three jumps built by Mountain High park developer, Justin Montoya, provided a proper proving ground for riders from all over the United States and origins as far away as Japan.
The day started out with female snowboarders sending it off the triple pack of jumps. Although there were some heavy crashes, the ladies made serious power moves to make it through their runs onto the podium. Nirvana Ortanez ended up taking the top spot and $2,000 in cash for her smooth style and effortless consistency. Erika Vikander and Isabelle Lalive took second and third, respectively, in the women’s division with skill and class.
In the men’s skier division, the judges were blown away by a barrage of double corks and 1260’s, making it a hard task to pick the true winner. In the end, Macre Williams took the top spot and $5,000 with an insane run that ended in a switch-to-switch 1080 double cork on the “Money Booter.” Not far behind Macre, Ken Kenworthy and Ben Maxham took second and third, respectively.
In the Open Men’s Snowboard Division, there was much to be decided with the biggest prize purse of all up for grabs. With over $24,000 in cash, riders like Zak Hale, Yale Cousino, Kyle Loppicolo, Jeremy Thompson, and Shane Fortier were out to expand their bank accounts. Unfortunately for them, there was a crop of young, skilled riders who weren’t ready to give up on the money. In third place, Ian Thorley from New Hampshire ripped all day and and just missed the first place position with a run that
included a backside rodeo 9 and a switch double back rodeo. Brandon Reis, an East Coast heavy took second place, earning $7,000. There was an unexpected ending, however, when 16-year-old Garret Warnick from Mammoth Lakes took home the grand prize of $10,000 with a perfect run that ended in one of the most textbook frontside 1080’s ever seen.
“We had some big names this year and the quality of riding was off the hook,” said John McColly, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mountain High. “Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put this event together.”