Orage Masters 7 @ the 2010 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival

Submitted by VShuley on Sat, 2010-04-17 21:42

Words and photos by Vince Shuley

The ski industry's biggest and baddest anti-comp returned to Whistler this year with Orage Masters 7. In a rainy and slushy Whistler Village the crowd was thin but the stoke level was at an all time high. The team stands resonated with cheers, jeers and copious amounts of responsible alcohol consumption.

This year it was the 'original rockers' K2 who reclaimed the title after two years of running up. Crowd surfing, groupies, smashed guitars, the awesome choreography along with some dope tricks and big air- K2 had it all covered. The Super Mario Bros. inspired team 4FRNT placed second with the Amplid Ninja Turtles winning best choreography, including one of the team bailing into shell shock and needing the assistance of his turtle team. Last year's champs Volkl were eliminated early, their orange 'Deadliest Catch' jumpsuits and plastic crab props failing to impress. Salomon won the best costume awards as The Forest Friends of the Traveling Ski Beaver.

Here's hoping the weather will ease for Tuesday's World Skiing Invitational half pipe finals.