Before the X-games became the place where all top pros challenged each other for supremacy in the freestyle world of snowboarding Mt Baker Legendary Banked Slalom was the place where all top pros battled for the freeriding crown or as it is Painted Duct tape trophies. I remember hearing about all the times Shaun Palmer and Craig Kelly had dominated early on. Then how Terje Haakonsen had qualified switch one year. The LBS is a epic event held on one of the best Mountains in the US. The best thing about the LBS is there is a amateurs comp as well. Everyone races the same course so you get to see how your times stack up against some of the biggest names in snowboarding freeriding alumni.
Now for the hard part, getting in to the contest. There are three ways into the LBS, invite, locals qualifier and the lottery. Now there is only 75 spots in the lottery and around 1,500 entries so it's not the best of odds. Unless you're my friend Curt who has gotten in three of the last four years. After five years of entering into the lottery I got in this year and get to go out and try and do Focus proud. My main goal is to be racing on Sunday in the Finals. Wish me luck.
Curt Cline on course
Focus all up in that #$%#
After a bit of a hike from the top lift you can access the arm at Baker with near endless back country riding that empties out to a lower chair lift.
My friend Johan got Third last year (Johan is one of the owners of Coal head wear and Union)
Victoria Jealouse
Gretchen Bleiler
Temple Cummings
And yes that's T-Rice, In the House!
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