Spencer O’Brien, a talented snowboarder from Alert Bay, just took the women’s championship at the Natural Selection Tour (NST) finals held in Revelstoke. This exciting event drew 24 of the best backcountry boarders from around the world.
Spencer showcased her skills on March 15, riding out of the Montana Bowl after two thrilling days of competition. She secured her spot in the finals by winning a last-chance qualifier against Mary Rand from Rhode Island the day before. In the finals, she beat out Elena Hight, the reigning champion from 2022, who entered the competition with a strong lead.
A five-time X Games medalist, O’Brien entered this tournament as a wildcard. She impressed the audience with a stylish cab 540 during the finals. Her victory not only earned her a large share of the $130,000 prize pool, but also a Ski-Doo Summit X.
“This event really makes you want to give it your all,” O’Brien said. “I’m so proud of everyone here. It was a fantastic week for snowboarding.”
Celebrating alongside her is Ståle Sandbech, a silver medalist from the 2014 Olympics, who won the men’s title at this year’s NST. He narrowly edged out local competitor Dustin Craven and 2022 Freeride World Tour champion Blake Moller for the win.
Before the finals, Whistler’s Mikey Ciccarelli stole the show with one of the highest scores on Friday, landing at a remarkable 90. He wowed the crowd with a switch backside 540 and an impressive pillow drop. For his performance, Ciccarelli received a BOA Dialed-In Award along with Hight, both earning $5,000 each for their standout performances.
With cold temperatures and fresh snow, the event drew significant attention. According to a recent report by the National Ski Areas Association, interest in snowboarding has surged over the past few years, especially among younger demographics. This surge in popularity is reflected in events like the NST, which not only showcase talent but also elevate the sport’s profile globally.
If you missed the action, you can catch the livestream recordings from the finals on Red Bull’s website.
Check out this related article: Empowering Food Security: How the North Okanagan Food Shed is Transforming Local Access to Fresh Food
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