![\"rosstheboss\"](\"http:\/\/www.yobeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/rosstheboss.jpg\")
<\/a>\nThe kids taking pictures with cell phones are the only thing that makes it clear this classic method from Ross Powers isn’t from 1997.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
As soon as Stratton got word Burton had chosen to move the US Open to Vail, they made a call to the only man who could help: Stevie Hayes. The old-school-Burton-pro-turned-Hayes-Brothers-Snowboards founder had been putting on the Washed Up Cup for the past few seasons, and US Open or no, Stratton wanted the event to continue.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to March 14th-17th, 2013, when the first annual Vermont Open was set on Suntanner — the same trail that hosted the original race events, as well as the halfpipe before it was shunned to Sunbowl. I can honestly say that after a season of going to events of all shapes and sizes, this was one of a kind. The prize money was provided by local families and businesses — no energy drinks or corporations to be found (unless you count Stratton, who matched the 10k raised.) The field included everyone from the local Olympic gold medalist to kids barely old enough to walk. Unlike the event it replaced, it was a contest for the snowboarders in it, rather than the people watching on network TV.<\/p>\n
For the old people in attendance, many now with children of their own, the VT Open was a true blast from the past, right down to a 12-foot half pipe and 40-foot “big air” jump. However, for those who were not old enough to remember a time before events with credentials and TV cameras, the nostalgia didn’t quite make up for the lack of organization, which caused things such as Saturday’s big air dragging on long after the lifts closed and the light went flat. Yes, things could have gone smoother, but for a first effort that involved just about every facet of snowboarding crammed into three short days, we have to give Steve and Stratton an A for effort.<\/p>\n With the inaugural Carinthia Open<\/a>, Near Canada Open<\/a> and this event now in the books, it’s pretty clear that the US Open moving to Vail may just be the best thing to happen to the East Coast snowboard scene in 30 years or so. And if you don’t agree, you don’t have to come here.<\/p>\n For Full Results CLICK HERE. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nA snurfer race hosted by Paul Graves? Yeah, that happened, and local legend Jerry Tucker was one those brave enough to partake. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe Washed Up Cup happened went down Sunday, and no, there weren’t any bag checks. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nWatching rail jockeys attempting to ride an icy pipe was quite entertaining. Zack Wilmot figured it out.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nNo triple corks allowed. Luke Bonang tweaks out a straight air instead.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMary Rand and Shaun Murphy pretending to like each other.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nRoss and the youngest powers. His eldest daughter Victoria won her division in the halfpipe comp. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe East’s best coaches: Andrew Mutty and Aaron Diamond.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nFuck yeah Southern Vermont.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSpeaking of Southern Vermont, the dudes from Mt. Snow made the trek north.
\n<\/em>
\n<\/a>
\nAttending the 1st VT Open was basically like inventing a time machine and the traveling back to a simpler time.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe Snurfer race got serious. (Note: the 3rd from the right was taken off the wall at the Green Door, literally.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThis is NOT as easy as it looks. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe boards are at least 4 times older than their riders.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n1977 watch out. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nScott Johnson for the win!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nBig air contests need more backside 180 methods.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe best part of this contest was no complex math was needed to understand the tricks being thrown.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMellow tail grab over Bromley. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>If you entered one event, you entered them all. Turns out, Ross Powers can do methods off jumps too!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The Washed Up Cup marked the 400th banked slalom of 2013. This was about one quarter of the course, which was about as gnar as things get at Stratton.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>That gate never saw it coming.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>The gauntlet was in effect, but it was actually just Zack Wilmot and Timmy Sullivan, and they got bored after wasting a couple beers.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>This crash may have been due to the glare ice, or the fact he was being showered by beer. The world may never know.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Sean Genovese would be proud.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMt Snow hype machine.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIt was St. Patrick’s Day and don’t worry, Timmy Sullivan was letting ’em know. Zack, on the other hand, is not at all Irish.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIt wasn’t that icy. Look at all that loose snow spray!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThis guy didn’t get the memo that there’s no air in slaloms.<\/em><\/p>\n