Killington, VT – On Saturday, the East Coast’s largest and most lucrative rail jam, Rails 2 Riches, dished out over $25,000 in prize money to skiers and snowboarders at Vermont’s Killington Resort. Prior to the event, competitors could be seen getting loose and practicing their best tricks in the Mouse Run terrain park.
One hundred competitors, comprised of some of the best professional and amateur skiers and snowboarders from North America, congregated behind the K-1 Base Lodge to throw their gnarliest tricks on a custom terrain park built by the Killington Parks crew. The one-of-a-kind course was comprised of opposing close-out rails—one adjoined with a round down-flat-down rail and the other with a flat-down rail—separated by a channel that gave skiers and snowboarders endless options for approach, take-off, transitions and transfers. Vocal spectators lined the course and posted photos, videos and commentary on social media throughout the day.
Contestants traveled from as far as California, Utah and Canada for their chance to take home a piece of the prize money and bragging rights for a year.
“The talent ran deep at this year’s Rails 2 Riches, and the event showcased athletes from across the U.S. and many representing our friends to the north,” says Jeff Alexander, Events and Sponsorships Manager at Killington.
The $25,000 cash purse was the largest in the event’s history and was split among First, Second and Third Place finishers in the following categories: skier men, snowboarder men, skier women, and snowboarder women. Full results are below:
Skier Men
1. Khai Krepela; Kingston, MA – First Place $5,000
2. Dominic Laporte; Saint-Sauveur, QC – Second Place $2,250
3. LJ Strenio; Park City, UT – Third Place $1,000
Snowboarder Men
1. Riley Nickerson; Kings Beach, CA – First Place $5,000
2. Jeremy Cloutier; Blainville, QC – Second Place $2,250
3. Tim Major; Pittsfield, VT – Third Place $1,000
Skier Women
1. Jackie Kling; Lake Harmony, PA – First Place $1,500
2. Marie Donaldson; Verdun, QC – Second Place $1,000
3. Miranda Holson; Woodstock, VT – Third Place $500
Snowboarder Women
1. Nora Healey; Holderness, NH – First Place $1,500
2. Lily Calabrese; Proctorsville, VT – Second Place $1,000
3. Bekah Ashley; Wilmington, NY – Third Place $500
Judges, who included professional skier Sean Jordan, awarded ten of the biggest tricks during the finals with $100 bills and an automatic entry into the “Last Dash for Cash” and a shot at even more prize money. Winners are as follows:
- Steven Normandin; Sherbrooke, QC – Skier Men $500
- Tim Major; Pittsfield, VT – Snowboard Men $500
- Miranda Holson; Woodstock, VT – Skier Women $200
- Emma Graham; West Dover, VT – Snowboard Women $200