A Hail Storm of Hammers at the Burton Qualifiers Finals Event in Pennsylvania

March 19, 2017

Heavy fog and wintery mix set the stage for the final event of the Burton Qualifiers amateur snowboard tour.

Photos: Dean Blotto Gray

Winners from all five previous stops along the tour converged on Seven Springs, Pennsylvania to battle it out for the overall tour podium and the day’s $10k prize purse. The Seven Springs park staff built up a mind-bogglingly technical course in “the Streets,” their infamous urban setup. The 15 & Under division kicked off the day in a hail storm of hammers. Jack Coyne followed up his win at the Boreal, California, stop with a first place finish here in the finals. To no surprise it was the winner from Loon Mountain, New Hampshire’s stop, Alex Atno in second. Following suit, first place winner from Trollhaugen, Wisconsin, Zeke Oppegaard slipped in for third. From first place in qualifiers to podium in the finals—that’s what it’s all about!

ben — Open Division winner, Benny Milam gapping to backside lipslide from the lip of the electrical boxes.

A thick wintery mix settled in when the Open Division stepped up to the plate. With fog looming over the course like smoke on a battlefield, the finalists strapped in and got to work. It was clear early on that the day would go to Trollhaugen, Wisconsin’s first place winner, Benny Milam. Fellow top qualifier, Garret McKenzie, who took the top spot at Boreal, California came in with crazy style and some huge presses for second. Third place went to the first place finisher from Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, River Richer.

First place finisher from Beaver Valley, Ontario, Joel Dalacker.

TJ Fitzgerald kept the crowd hyped with a series of massive frontside airs out of the quarterpipe.

The vibes were high. Riders flew in from across North America, which created an amazing mix of styles and personalities. It was the culmination of a tour filled with memorable moments, and showcased the level of talent that these young amateur riders are bringing to the future of snowboarding.

The 2017 Burton Qualifiers Tour Podium: River Richer (3rd), Garret McKenzie (2nd) and Benny Milam (1st).

This was the sixth and final stop of the Burton Qualifiers amateur snowboard tour. For full results and recaps from all six stops, head to BurtonQualifiers.com.