The event was the opening round of the FMB Diamond Series and the first competition in the new Crankworx Triple Crown of Slopestyle, a season-long challenge to see if any rider can win all three Slopestyle events on the Crankworx World Tour.
“I feel amazing. I don’t think anyone expected to land the runs, due to the conditions of today’s course. But just getting down to the bottom and having a victory lap – I’ve never had a victory lap before, so it’s pretty special right now,” said Rheeder.
Brett Rheeder celebrating his first win
Heavy rain closed the course for the first half of the day, pushing competition back by two-and-a-half hours. While the course was kept dry under tarps, it was nevertheless a slick competitor of its own, at one point leveling Carson Storch, Brandon Semenuk, Antoine Bizet and Paul Genovese, who bailed out on runs one after another, after another and another.
“I think it’s going to be so insanely hard to keep winning these events, butI’ll just do my best, and if it ends up happening at the end of the year, that’s amazing,” said Rheeder who will now have to win the Les 2 AlpesSlopestyle and Red Bull Joyride in Whistler.
Nicholi Rogatkin executed a perfect second run packed with tricks to finish in second with a backflip doubletail-whip.
1. Brett Rheeder
2. Nicholi Rogatkin
3. Thomas Genon
Video highlights of all the action at Rotorua is released on Crankworx.com and you can catch all the live action via webcast replays there.
Photos: © Crankworx / Clint Trahan
Source: http://www.crankworx.com
