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<\/a><\/p>\nThis dude didn’t qualify, but hey, he got his picture on Yobeat!<\/em><\/p>\n A wise man once told me, it takes five years for any sort of business to really work. And while the Dirksen Derby may not be in the business of much more than raising some cash for Tyler Ecklund and bringing a smile to his face, in this 5th year of the event, that prophecy has proved to be true. The event has been gaining steam steadily since its start, but this year, there is no doubt it has arrived. What does that even mean? Well, for starters, Terje was there. In fact, there were so many heads I sort of lost count, and that’s not including the usual suspects — Wittlake and Bfox, Austin Smith, Jake Price, Curtis Ciszek, and of course, the entire Dirksen family.<\/p>\n Dirksen and his dad.<\/em><\/p>\n The course took six days straight of ten dudes digging, and is not for the casual enthusiast. Two side-by-side slalom tracks that lace through the trees feature some seriously tight turns. It’s definitely a more technical course than last year, and a few doubles and straightaways let you get just enough speed to come flying into the berms way too fast, added to the fact the northwest snow was nice and crispy in the shade, made for plenty of near misses between rogue snowboarders and the huge media presence at the event.<\/p>\n Not a make. Jason Hume. Today was the qualifiers in the men’s division, as well as a mandatory splitboard qualifier (twice up and down), in which 100% of the people qualified. While this may seem unnecessary and torturous, it was actually a chance to let Tyler participate on his sit ski. Needless to say, some people tried harder than others.<\/p>\n All of this is just to put a smile on Tyler’s face.<\/em><\/p>\n With the regular favorites in the field, and the likes of Terje, Jake Blauvelt and more cued up for the finals tomorrow, it should be a good race. More importantly, at least one, if not two people are going to end up with stupid hair-dos. The Tre Squad’s bet will don the loser with frosted tips, while whoever goes the slowest out of Curtis, Austin and Jake will be subjected to the hairstyle of the other’s choice. As you can see, this is a super serious contest, and thanks to extra sunny skies, is off to another amazing start. If you’re anywhere near Mt. Bachelor, do your best to make it out for the finals. You don’t need credentials, or any sort of carbonated corn syrup to enjoy this event.<\/p>\n Shayne Pospisil. Not making it, but who cares, it’s artsy!<\/p>\n Serious preparations. Blair Habenicht (2nd) oh and that’s Terje.<\/p>\n mmm. Chowda.<\/p>\n Dirks and Lynch, at odds over who would win. It was Ben, if we’re talking about who went fastest.<\/p>\n Price got iced. (We think he sort of enjoyed it.)<\/p>\n Terje at the start.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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