Huntsville, UT – In the final competitions for the season, the amateur snowboarders and freeskiers took to the 22-foot pipe at Utah’s Snowbasin Resort for a chance to make their professional debut at next season’s Winter Dew Tour. Coming out for the women’s contest was Natalie Geer, and taking the top spot for the men was Joseph “J.D.” Mensch. The pair will participate in the December prelims of the 2011-12 Winter Dew Tour. Aspen, Colo.’s Alex Ferreira rode out his success of the season by topping the podium and winning a spot in next season’s Winter Dew Tour contest.nThe ladies division displayed high levels of progression, with the top three scores in the nineties. Seventeen-year-old Geer took the win with her first run, but looked to bump up her score by trying her first 900 in the Snowbasin 22-foot pipe in run two. Her 94.25 was earned with a smooth run that showcased her high airs, cab three and cab fives. Second place finisher Jenna Dramise threw down a solid run, earning second place score of 92.00. Third place was rounded out with a 90.00, earned by Whitney Kulich.

“This was the best halfpipe I’ve ever ridden, and this was just an amazing opportunity,” said Geer. “I’m really stoked to compete in the Winter Dew Tour next season. Gatorade is so great, the support and communication has been so great, and I feel so blessed.”

Gunning for their trip to the professional contest circuit, the men put on a show for the huge crowd at the base of the pipe. It seemed to be a second-run night, as both the first and third place spots were earned in the second round. New York native Mensch strung together huge trick after trick, including a cab 7, front side 900, back 5, front 7, and cab 10, a trick newly learned today. His 98.00 is tied for the highest score in the history of the winter Gatorade Free Flow Tour with 2010 Champion Taylor Owen’s slopestyle score. Showcasing skill far beyond his 13 years and in first for much of the contest, Mack was bumped from first place and ended in second with his 96.50, earned with tricks such as a front 10 and a hawken flip. Third place finisher Cameron Fitzpatrick, who held second place for most of the second round, used his 95.25 to round out the podium.

“I’m pretty pumped, winning the Gatorade Free Flow is such a huge accomplishment,” said 19-year-old Mensch. “Gatorade put on a really great event, and I’m really excited to compete at the Winter Dew Tour.”

After taking a fall in his first run, Ferreira dropped into his second run looking to take it all, which he did with huge airs and some of the tightest spins of the day. The 16-year-old will advance to the professional contest to join friend and 2010 Champion Torin Yater-Wallace, who watched on from the top of the superpipe.

“This has been a really great opportunity that Gatorade provided for us,” said Ferriera. “I’m so excited, this was so fun and the Winter Dew Tour will be a great way to continue my goals in skiing.”
The only American on the podium, Ferreira clinched the win with a high score of 92.25. Also using his second run to land on the podium was Canadian Simon D’artois, who scored an 87.50. Coming all the way from Great Britain to round out the podium in third place was James Machon, whose enthusiastic run earned him an 81.00.

Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ogden, Utah – Snowbasin Resort

Women’s Snowboard Superpipe – Finals
1. Natalie Geer, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 94.25.
2. Jenna Dramise, Las Vegas, Nev., 92.00.
3. Whitney Kulich, Harrison Township, Mich., 90.00.
4. Jessica Gibson, Floral Park, N.Y., 84. 75.
5. Kirby Kelly, Chicago, Ill., 79.00.
6. Kelsey Coghlan, Burlington, Vt., 72.50.
7. Mimi Charter, Afghanistan, 72.25.
8. Genevieve McNeill, Vail, Colo., 57.00.

Men’s Snowboard Superpipe – Finals
1. Joseph Mensch, Mastic Beach, N.Y., 98.00.
2. Kyle Mack, West Bloomfield, Mich., 96.50.
3. Cameron Fitzpatrick, Jackson, Wyo., 95.25.
4. Brandon Davis, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 87.25.
5. Kyle Kelley, Lake in the Hills, Ill., 83.25.
6. Corey Steinke, Vail, Colo., 67.50.
7. Joseph Dennis, Costa Mesa, Calif., 64.50.
8. Jeremy Page, Hood River, Ore., 60.25.
9. Gustav Shuler, Janesville, Wis., 34.75.
10. Justin Frybarger, Killington, Vt., 27.00.

Freeski Superpipe – Finals
1. Alexander Ferreira, Aspen, Colo., 92.25.
2. Simon D’artois, Canada, 87.50.
3.James Machon, Great Britain, 81.00.
4. Austin, Simonpietri, Truckee, Calif., 75.00.
5. Colby Vavolotis, Rehoboth, Mass., 69.75.
6. Daniel Rosenblum, Stamford, Conn., 63.75.
7. Ty Wellman, Boyne City, Mich., 45.50.
8. Clint Kasten, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 29.25