Knox and Matthews take gold at the BRITS invitational
The BRITS Invitational Championships wrapped up the UK leg of the British Snow Tour in style this weekend at the London Ski Show, Earls Court. Hundreds of spectators gathered at the all-new hip jump to watch some of the UK's finest snowboarders and skiers battle it out for the title of The BRITS Invitational Champion. Despite fierce competition it was Sparrow Knox and Andrew Matthew's standout performances that won the titles for snowboarding and skiing respectively, bagging them each a seven night holiday at Chalet Montana courtesy of PRG Ski.
The BRITS Invitational Snowboard Championships
Ten riders took to the hip jump in the qualifying round with eight riders progressing through to the eight man knock out semifinal round. The judges were witness to some incredible riding with the likes of Billy Morgan, brothers Danny & Matt McCormick and Mike Austin mixing it up with huge backflips, McTwist's and super smooth 720's. Ultimately it was Sparrow Knox, Andy Nudds, Cody Hierons and Sam Turnbull who impressed the judges enough to make it through to the final.
The finalists had two chances to thrown down the winning trick and it was London's own Sparrow Knox's massive rodeo on his first run that bagged him the title: "Today has been amazing, the hip was different to previous years and was loads of fun, everyone rode so well and I'm amazingly happy to win," said Sparrow. A special mention goes to Cody Hierons who was riding super smooth all day stomping backside 540's and 720's, just missing out on the podium spot by five points.
The BRITS Invitational Freeskiing Championships
Eleven of the UK's top skiers treated the crowd to a jaw dropping show when they took to the slope for the knock out qualification round with eight making it through to the final. Riders gave it their all with a massive 900 from Danny McCormick, a text book 540 from Tom Coe and a super clean rodeo from James Machon, making it a tough call for the judges. But it was Snow Tour regulars Julian Ball, Josh Birch, Murray Buchan and Andrew Matthew that secured their place in the final.
The riders upped their game and charged the massive hip jump with some standout performances from the UK's elite. Despite fierce competition it was Andrew Matthew's massive double japan flatspin stomped on both runs that secured him the well-deserved first place. Missing out on the podium by just one point Scottish rider Murray Buchan gave Andrews a run for his money with his super clean 540 tail grab. A special mention goes to new Dare2b rider James Machon who was riding super solid all day, stomping text book rodeo's in the knock out round.
For a full list of results and images check out www.britishsnowtour.com. You can see these athletes in action at The BRITS Snow & Music Festival, Laax, Switzerland 18th - 25th March. Packages start from £295 per person, including seven nights' accommodation, seven day liftpass, BRITS event wristband, which includes free access to all the club nights and a horde of discounts, and an official BRITS beanie. Check out www.the-brits.com for details and to book.
The British Snow Tour would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Protest, Trespass, Dare2b and Snow+Rock. Media partners: Whitelines, Huck, Extreme Sports Channel, Downdays.eu, Ski Club of Great Britain, Metrosnow.co.uk, In The Snow and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and LAAX. Governing Bodies: TTR, AFP, WSF and BSS.
