Full cab to front board down the donkey kink.

Photos: J.G. Mazzotta

Evergreen, CO's Dylan Alito Qualifies for the 2009 Vans Cup at Mammoth

Cypress, CA (Wednesday, December 17, 2008) - The first stop of the Vans Mini Cup presented by Satellite Boardshop was held at Winter Park Resort Sunday, December 14th, with some of the country’s top ams throwing down their best moves for a chance to qualify for the rail jam contest at the up-coming Vans Cup at Mammoth. The Rockies blanketed the slopes with over a foot of fresh snow, making for prime conditions as riders attacked a killer rail/box set-up. Dylan Alito of Evergreen, CO claimed top honors of the day, scoring $500 and an all-expense-paid trip to the Vans Cup at Mammoth, as well as a slot in the event’s invite-only rail jam.

Gap to 5-0

Pressing down the nose down the long rail.

The first Vans Mini Cup, part of a new series of three rail jams staged around the country this winter, featured an open jam session narrowed down to a 10-man final judged by Vans Snow team riders Scotty Arnold and Hana Beaman along with team manager Doran Laybourn and Colorado-based pro Chad Otterstrom.

Patrick keeping everybody warm and fed.

Raul from Satellite giving the 411.

Scotty staying warm and fed.

Here’s a break down of the best performances of the day:

Am Men’s
1. Dylan Alito - $500 (Qualifies into Vans Cup at Mammoth)
2. Nick Poohachof – $300
3. Johnny Lazz - $150

Am Women’s
1. Paige Rainear – $500
2. Joanna “Pnut” Dzierzawski - $300
3. Danyale Patterson - $150

The Winter Park setup

The next Mini Cup stop is presented by Eastern Boarder at New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain on January 10, followed by a rail jam at California's Bear Mountain presented by Leroys Boardshop and One Way Boardshop on February 7 (please note that the date has moved up one week).

A special thanks to Satellite Boardshop, Eastern Boarder, Leroys Boardshop and One Way Boardshop for their support!

The judges

About the Vans Cup:
Widely regarded as the West Coast’s most important professional snowboarding competition, The 5th Annual Vans Cup will be held at Mammoth Mountain February 27 through March 1, with nearly $200,000 up for grabs. The weekend kicks off with an invitational rail jam Friday night, where top riders throw down their best tricks for a chance at the coveted Vans Cup and a huge cash prize. The action continues Saturday with a Slopestyle comp and the Vans Cup caps off Sunday with the Superpipe finals.