Gwyneth Tefft of Aspen returned to the top of podium at the 2013 USASA National Championships at Copper Mountain, Colorado winning Slopestyle in her age group (Youth 14-15). A previous gold medal winner in the Pipe, it was her first run score of 86.3 that couldn’t be topped. Her winning run was a big backside 360 followed by 2 huge straight airs with solid grabs and finished off with clean and smooth lines through the rail section.

Her victories in all of the regional events she entered and her outstanding results at Nationals (she was also 4th in Pipe) combined with being an honor student again earned her an Aspen Valley Ski Club award: PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD. AVSC encourages athletes to expect excellence from themselves. This award is presented to an athlete from each discipline that has demonstrated the drive to excel in their sport, while at the same time being a role model of their core values.

Her 2013 Nationals results followed up her strong results from 2012: she was on the podium twice with Bronze in Slalom and Bronze in Slope, 4th
in BX, top ten results in Pipe and GS which ultimately lead to her taking the Silver home for the Overall crown. ¶Yeah Gwyneth, congratulations on a solid season!

TOM SIMS TRIBUTE LBC 2013 from OMSA on Vimeo.

Words by Derek Livingston:

The Snow Crown Canadian Championships took place at the Calgary Olympic Park on March 16th 2013. As I was last years Snow Crown Champion, I had pre-qualified straight through to the finals, which gave me time to sit back and watch the qualifiers go off. All of the young guns from all over the country came out to fight for one of ten qualifying spots for a shot at the title as National Champion.

Winning last year’s event, put me as the last competitor to drop on the startlist, giving me the advantage to see everyone’s runs. Coming up to my second run I was sitting in second place and I knew I had to stomp a clean run to defend my title. My second and wining run consisted of a backside method, a frontside 720 double poke, haakon flip 720, a fronside 900, and a backside 900. As I rode out of my backside 900, I was stoked to have put down a nice clean run and I knew this could potentially put me on the top of the podium!

After not releasing the final scores, the judges created a suspenseful podium announcement, where they announced me as the Snow Crow Canadian Champion. As well as wining the event, I was awarded best trick for my a stylish backside 900. After a quick photo-op, they handed out champaign to the winners. This being my first bottle of champaign, I had a little trouble popping the cork, while being doused from both sides.

Afterwards, I went home for some rest and relaxation to get ready for the slopestyle event in the morning, in which I placed 7th. To celebrate a solid weekend of riding, a night on the town was in order to conclude the event.

Soda Springs, CA – March 23 & 24, 2013

This past weekend, SIMS snowboards was honored to sponsor the Tom Sims Retro World Championships event in Soda Springs, CA. The event celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the Firstever Snowboarding Half-Pipe event, and honored the life and legacy of Tom Sims. A beautiful combination considering Tom was heavily involved in the creation of the original event in Soda Springs in 1983. The vibe 30 years later was epic with everyone getting sucked into the contagion of smiles as they shredded the small Tahoe resort in honor of Tom and his vision.

This epic throwback event put together by Mike Chantry and crew kicked off Saturday morning under sunny skies with hugs and high fives at registration for that day’s Giant Slalom event. Bob Klein was the Technical Director for the course and he set it up to run fast. Tom would have been stoked. The Legend riders were all on boards made before 1990, making the runs so much more impressive. These boards aren’t exactly light or responsive. The highlight of the race was watching snowboarding legend Chuck Barfoot, now in his 60’s, charge down the course like he was 20 years younger.

Sunday was the big day. It was 30 years to the day of the First half-pipe event. The crew was amped to get some air in the genuine hand dug ditch. Blue skies and warmer temps greeted all of the sideways standing shreds and it was on. The lineup included: Kevin Delaney, Chris Roach, Shawn Farmer, Scott Downey, Jeff Grell, Bob Klein, Scott Clum, Jeff Fulton, David Alden, Steve Link, Evan Feen, Keith Kimmel, Roan Rogers, Tom Routh, Heather Mills, Jeff Krebill, Bill Olsen, Scott Star, Ishi, Earl Zellers, Shalia Buxton, Dino Bonelli, Christie Elder and Dennis Nazari. Each run inspired the next. It was the first hit into the pipe that got the most attention with massive grassers and tweaks drawing the crowd’s cheer.  

 Evan Feen paid the ultimate tribute to Tom by sending it off of Wine Rock after competing in the pipe. Pretty remarkable as this is no small drop!

The award ceremony followed the pipe session and the positive vibe flowed onto the sunny south facing deck. Mike Chantry, Scott Clum, Michael Hess and Chuck Barfoot all gave emotional tribute speeches that had most of the crowd in tears. However, it was Tom Hsieh, founder of the first snowboard magazine, ISM, that offered the highlight of the afternoon as he read the California State Assembly’s Memorial Resolution in Tom’s memory. Amazing. The State of California has forever immortalized and recognized that Tom and his great character merit gratitude and respectful acknowledgment. Obviously, very well deserved.

A huge thanks goes to Mike Chantry, Don Bostick, Tom Collins, Bob Klein, Soda Springs, Flow, Sessions, Smokin Snowboards and especially Tom Sims. We’re forever in your tracks!

Results:

Legends Slalom:

1. Jeff Krebill (tie)

1. Dennis Nazari (tie)

3. Bob Klein

Open Slalom

1. Shawn Farmer

2. Marc Vitelli

3. Cameron Beck

Women’s Open Slalom

1. Christie Elder Ussher

Legends Pipe

1. Kevin Delaney

2. Cameron Beck

3. Chris Roach

Open Pipe

1. Cody Horan

2. Chris Roach

3. Marc Vitelli

Women’s Open Pipe

1. Christie Elder Ussher

2. Heather Mills Waggner-Jauregg

3. Shalia Buxton

Legends Overall

1. Cameron Beck

2. Chris Roach

3. Jeff Krebill

Open Overall

1. Cody Horan

2. Chris Roach

3. Marc Vitelli

Women’s Open Overall

1.Christie Elder Ussher

Pocket Knife from threeseveneight on Vimeo.

Snowboard Canada recently posted this edit with Geremy Guido rockin’ the SIMS Pocket Knife for a day up at Sun Peaks Resort. Shout out to Jay Loeppky for the filming, editing, and reminding us that we need to watch Crocodile Dundee again.

As you may already know, our boy Seth Hill is up in Vail at the US Open. If you didn’t know, then all you need to do is take a look at this wicked cover shot from the Vail Daily. That’s right, you’re looking Seth getting all sorts of gnar with a backflip. Wish him luck as he competes in the Slopestyle Semi-Finals today.

There’s nothing better than heading up to the mountains and slaying some fresh pow. This weekend we asked our SIMS fans to send us a pic them getting their shred on. Here are a few of our favorite submissions. Make sure to tweet, facebook, or instagram us (@sims_snowboards) with your Shred SIMS Submission.

On Saturday morning February 2, 2013, before the SIA tradeshow opened at the Denver Convention Center, SOS Outreach presented SIMS Brand Manger Marc Vitelli and Terry Kidwell with the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Tom Sims. The award recognizes Tom’s lifetime of Leadership and Vision in representing the SOS Core Values: Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Wisdom and Compassion.

‘It’s truly an honor to receive this award on behalf of Tom. He may be gone but his legacy lives on through the Tom Sims Legacy Fund, which donates to organizations like SOS that get kids out on the hill to experience snowboarding,’ says Vitelli. ‘And to be able to receive this award with Terry Kidwell in front of an SIA crowd makes it even sweeter. Thanks Tom!’.

SIMS rider Gaetan Chanut continues his assault on the Whistler Backcountry with this full spread in SBC’s 2013 Photo Issue. Thanks to Jeff Patterson for capturing the heavy action!

Did you happen to catch the Sprint US Grand Prix? If not, you can check out what the Slopestyle Course was all about with SIMS Rider Seth Hill. In this quick video he’ll take you through a preview of the course at Copper Mountain.