Halfpipe riders converge on snowy Mammoth Mountain

Halfpipe riders converge on snowy Mammoth Mountain{mosimage}USSA — U.S. halfpipe riders are flooding Mammoth Mountain, California, for a camp as they wait for the competition season to begin in earnest. Nearly a foot of fresh snow fell late last week at Mammoth, giving the resort enough terrain to allow athletes to work on speed drills. During the workouts, riders were reaching 45-plus mph.

“The halfpipe isn’t set to open until (November 17), so the speed drills will expand their comfort zones,” said freestyle head coach Bud Keene. “Pipe or no pipe, we’ve been taking full advantage of the snow with all sorts of drills on the rails and small kickers. At this point in the year, it’s all about getting back the balance and remembering what it’s like to be on the board.”

With riders splitting time between on-snow workouts and gym activity, mornings are spent with a variety of drills before moving the session indoors to focus on muscle specific exercises, thanks to a unique program fashioned by assistant coach Mike Jankowski.

“Jank has worked out a great program that allows the kids to choose from a menu of activities,” said Keene, “all of which produce a solid core workout for both the upper and lower body. It might actually be a good thing that the pipe isn’t open yet, because it allows us to get some more mileage on the snow and with their muscles in the gym before we start pounding all day on the pipe.”

Among those attending the Mammoth camp are local hero Tommy Czeschin, Tricia Byrnes, Hannah Teter and her brother Elijah. Gretchen Bleiler and 12-year-old phenom Luke Mitrani will join the group at mid-camp.

With all riders in excellent health — including Andy Finch and Rob Kingwill, who are coming off successful shoulder and knee surgeries, respectively, Keene said his crew is feeling great and in perfect position to get the season under way. World Cup action for the freestylers starts November 29 in Laax, Switzerland.

“They’re all champing at the bit to get in the pipe and start throwing down,” said Keene, “and I have no doubt that when it opens we’ll be hiking it all day long. These riders have such amazing energy and they’re all pumped for the season — as it looks now, everything is running smoothly and I’m looking forward to heading over to Switzerland.”