US Open Pre Qualifier

Thanks Martin Griff for catching Ian in the air.
Over the weekend our son Ian Thorley was in Killington, Vermont competing at the Chevy Grand Prix. Last year at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, Ian won the slopestyle event and took home the biggest paycheck of his life. This year he ended up 4th. His roommate Brandon Reis, another Waterville Valley alum took second, but the American lads were inched out by a pair of Finns, third place Peetu Piiroinen and winner Janne Korpi. When I asked Ian why the Finns are so good he said, "They train on icy mountains with rope tows so they can loop the park a 100 times a day."
Ron and I have also had a good dose of that Finnish SISU from our cross country trek from Kuusamo to Tornio last week. It seems no matter what snowsport our family takes part in, we come up against the strength and stamina of the remarkable Suomalainens.
Ian is now in Stratton, Vermont, working on his run in the pre-qualifying rounds of the 26th annual US Open. Martin Griff, reporter/photographer/blogger for Everything New Jersey, is also an award winning journalist at the Trenton Times in New Jersey. We're also both members in the North American Snowsports Journalists Association, NASJA, and Martin caught up with Ian today.
Martin has a good grip on the scope of this snowboard comp and you can tap in to where he's at and what he's seeing at http://blog.nj.com/skiing/
For those trying to get a handle on how you can make a living flying through the air, upside down and spinnign 2 and a half times around, the US Open ranks the Olympics of freestyle snowboarding. First place in slopestyle earns $20,000. For a 21year old, that's a healthy paycheck for three days of fun. . .er, I mean, work.
After 2 years on the Atomic Team, I think Ian is now riding for Forum snowboard--Moms are the last to know. I do know he's nailing some big tricks and the Waterville air force has been doing coach Bill Enos proud.
Ian's good buddy and fellow Waterville rider, Tim Humphreys, is also at Stratton. Like two bear cubs these boys create some excitement wherever they ride.
"Humpy" declined competing at the Grand Prix because of sore ribs. He wanted to get strong for the Open. No wonder, Humpy rides both halfpipe and slopestyle so the possible paycheck for this 20 year old--who has traveled the globe with his snowboard--could run into 6 digits. Overall riders (those who do HP & SS)qualify for $100,000 and a Volvo C30.
Martin has been following Humpy, a NJ boy, for a few years so you can count on him to be close to the action.
Thanks Martin. Keep an eye on our boys.
What a gift,
Frida