Molly Aguirre tweaking it out. Matt Fong photo.

Words: Tawnya Schultz / Pics: Matt Fong and Jimmy Witthead

Vans and Snow Park Technologies stepped it up once again designing an impressive rail setup for the Vans Cup Rail Jam at Northstar last night. Boost Mobile even supplied a phone booth as a feature which during the men’s finals some random guy decided to jump on top of and start boogying down for a good two minutes giving everyone something to laugh at. The setup was sick because two to three people could hit it at the same time since there were two sections making the forty-five minute jam super efficient and extra entertaining.

Andrew Brewer entertaining the massive crowd. Matt Fong photo.

The crowd was riled up yelling and clapping the entire two hours of the event. Burton international pro Molly Aguirre came back from an injury last year to win the coveted silver Vans Cup and a cash prize of $3,000. All the chicas were holding it down including Leanne Pelosi, Iris Lazzareschi, who took a minor slam to the face attempting a front board on the down flat down rail (but received $1,000 for it), Cheryl Mass who won 3rd, and So Cal loc Desiree Melancon who ran off into the sunset with 2nd place and $1,500.

Setup shot from my balcony. Baller status.

9Grand reppin’ hardcore. Yan Dofin, Jake Devine, and Mitch Reed.

Vans pro Darrell Mathes with his signature style. Matt Fong photo.

Miss Leanne Pelosi with the insane Tahoe skyline. Matt Fong photo.

Desiree Melancon rides like a guy…but that’s a good thing as far as podium status goes. Matt Fong photo.

It was then time for the men’s qualifiers with forty shred stick rippers throwing it down like mad for a chance to make it in the finals with the 10 pre-qualified pros. My boy Cody Boan did his thang although he didn’t quite make the cut alongside Joe Sexton, Scotty Vine, and Chris Rotax. During the entire men’s heat it was difficult to tell who was consistent enough to place and most of the time that’s pretty obvious. Technine’s Lucas Magoon wasn’t having a stellar night but did a few sick maneuvers off the Boost Mobile phone booth. Aaron Biittner was trying to hold it together after flying in late the night before from Europe and losing his board bag forcing him to ride new boots and a whole new setup. Biittner still managed to slash the setup like the pro he is along with Mike Casanova, Darrell Mathes, and Scotty Arnold.

Goon town always doing in steezy. Matt Fong photo.

Jared Hadi looking up. Matt Fong photo.

Joey Sexton; always in the spotlight. Matt Fong photo.

Second place winner Kade Madsen.

In the end it was DC poster boy Chas Guldemond who ultimately won over the crowd and the judges by climbing on top of the scaffolding, dropping past the riders, and basically jumping the entire setup. Pretty epic yes indeed. Chas ecstatically held up his trophy and $10,000 check as the overall winner of the jam. Other East Coast reppers Brandon Reis and Kade Madsen won 2nd and 3rd. Look out for a SUPERPOST coming soon with tons of photos from the slopestyle happening now and the party with Trouble Andrew going down at the lavish Biltmore casino tonight. Word son.

Another setup shot…because it’s soo sick.

Classic Binky shot…all he kept yelling all night was “I won, I won!” Yeah Binks you definitely won the biggest drunk award of the evening.

Biitter’s fly steez. Jimmy Witthead photo.

The night wouldn’t be complete without a little Aussie in the mix. Jimmy Witthead photo.

This kid threw down. Don’t know his name though. Sorry kid. Jimmy Witthead photo.

Mr. “Where’s the salt and pepper?,” Yan Dofin. Jimmy Witthead photo.

Nose press Nova.

Torstein Horgmo. Super good at rails too BTW. Jimmy Witthead photo.

Chazzelpums earning his win. Jimmy Witthead photo.

Trophy status.

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The legendary Steve Van Doran cheersing the crowd.

Girls podium.

Yeah Mols.

Boys podium.