Two freeskiing legends - one a pioneer, the other the best representative of the new generation. Despite their differences, last weekend they both skied to victory at the B&E Invitational.
“The B&E Invitational 2016 shows an awesome level of skiing and creativity”
“The best riders in the world gathered to ride a unique feature at the B&E Invitational 2016”
“Henrik Harlaut and Candide Thovex hold up the B&E Invitational 2016”
“Is the B&E Invitational the best freeskiing event?”
“The B&E Invitational didn’t need a big kicker for riders to do double corks”
“The B&E Invitational is an ode to modern skiing”
“The B&E Invitational is an event for the skiers, by the skiers”
“The parties were crazy at the B&E Invitational 2016”
“B&E Invitational: The shapers fight against Mother Nature’s worst”
“The B&E Invitational 2016 presents the most innovative freeskiing feature”
“Too many headlines possible for the B&E Invitational 2016”
“Like father and son, Henrik and Candide represent 20 years of freeskiing”
“We simply loved the B&E Invitational 2016”
Let’s break down each one of these headlines, and you’ll understand why it’s so hard to pick among them.
“The B&E Invitational 2016 shows an awesome level of skiing and creativity”
The riders got used to this highly creative feature quite fast, and the final on Sunday was a crazy fresco of action. Henrik, Jacob Wester, ABM and Torin Yater-Wallace were throwing doubles on a few features in the run, while the rookie Joona Kangas was going huge on his old-school backflip mutes and Candide Thovex was finding the best line.
“The best riders in the world gathered to ride a unique feature at the B&E Invitational 2016”
There’s no other event that’s capable of gathering such a field of skiers from different horizons and generations, from The Bunch shredders to X Games gold medalist Torin Yater-Wallace.
“Henrik Harlaut and Candide Thovex hold up the B&E Invitational 2016”
– Blue Tomato Best Style: Henrik
– Les Arcs Best Overall: Henrik
– Beatcan Best Line: Candide
– E-Adrenaline Public Choice Winner: Candide (540 participants, 160 votes)
– Armada Best Trick: Henrik
“Is the B&E Invitational the best freeskiing event?”
This is a tricky question, because we have to consider the point of view. For the public and the media, who have limited access to the course, probably not. But for the riders who enjoyed this unique space just for them, probably yes.
“The B&E Invitational didn’t need a big kicker for riders to do double corks”
The hip at the beginning is a 2-meter high booter, tossing riders over a 10-meter table when they hit it straight. This small feature with a high parabola allowed Henrik to toss a double bio 12 safety, and Torin a double flat 12 safety, for example. No need to build bigger features! And a bonus, Jules Bonnaire almost did a triple backflip out of the big bowl, only to earn himself the biggest crash of the day (he’s fine now).
“The B&E Invitational is an ode to modern skiing”
Putting creativity and freedom at the center of the event, using the jam session system and offering free beers all day and night to the skiers, the B&E Invitational is the best ambassador of real freeskiing to a larger audience.
“The parties were crazy at the B&E Invitational 2016”
With more than a thousand Monster bills (representing one beer each) distributed to the skiers, two official parties and an unofficial one every night, the night life was definitely a huge part of the event. It was a good call to start the sessions at noon…
“B&E Invitational: The shapers fight against Mother Nature’s worst”
They worked for weeks, then had to clean all the fresh snow out of the bowl, then reshape this massive area for days and nights—for that, the shapers deserve some real props!
“The B&E Invitational 2016 presents the most innovative freeskiing feature”
This course, imagined by Henrik and Phil with influence from skateboarding, was full of transitions, kickers and rails that skiers rode better than we could ever have imagined. It allowed riders to attempt lines, tricks and styles that were so different from what we’re used to seeing in competition. Maybe it’s events like this that have pushed slopestyles to become more creative this year.
“Too many headlines possible for the B&E Invitational 2016”
Is it really a bad thing to have so much to say about an event?
“Like father and son, Henrik and Candide represent 20 years of freeskiing”
The crowd is gathered in front of the stage as the speaker Alex begins to announce the awards. The first one is for Candide, the second one goes to Henrik, and the next one is shared between both—an incredible moment of emotion for both skiers, and especially Henrik, for whom this moment was literally a dream come true.
Hugs, checks and smiles concluded the event perfectly. Henrik decided to split his $10,000 prize among all the skiers, Candide gave all his goodies to the public, and Henrik did the same. Here are two legends, darlings of the public, sharing a special moment together with their fans. Here are 15 years of freeskiing evolution on one stage, like a father and son, representing the past, the present and the future of skiing.
“We simply loved the B&E Invitational 2016”
And now you understand why.
Many thanks to everyone: the riders, staff, public, shapers, media and others; everyone who helped or participated in this event from near and far deserve to be mentioned—and now deserve some well-earned rest!
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