Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Wraps up at Sugar Bowl with CB in the Top 5

The Rahlves Banzai Tour wrapped up the season at Sugar Bowl on March 9^th and 10^th. Fresh snow and bluebird skies made for the best Banzai conditions of the season. The exhilarating course was complete with banked slalom turns, big airs, and a straight-line mogul field finish.

Words and Photos From Rob Vandervoort

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A little selfy before inspection.

Unfortunately, Daron was unable to defend his title due to his fall at Squaw Valley the week before. With $5000 on the line in the super final, Kyle Coxon upset Jonny “Banzai” Bochenek. However, Bochenek’s consolation prize was first in the day’s regular final and first in the overall Men’s Ski standings.  Over in Men’s snowboarding, Chelone Miller won the day’s race, but Crested Butte’s Lucas Dehmlow gave him a run for the money. The Sugar Bowl event determined the overall season winner as well, Dehmlow finished 3rd on the day and 2nd overall while Miller was able to capture the Banzai tour title.

Race through here.

In the most exciting race of the day, Shannon Rahlves came from behind and beat Shelly Robertson at the finish line in Women’s Ski. Rahlves also managed the overall Women’s Ski title as well with the victory.  Alaska’s Kiana Putman rode strong and smart for the Women’s Snowboard victory. However, Casey Lucas held on to the Women’s Snowboard title without competing at Sugar Bowl, she is currently Europe on the Freeride World Tour at Fierbrunn, Austria.

Then straightline through here.

After competing on the whole tour (editor’s note: finished in 5th), I have to say Banzai racing is fun and exciting for competitors and fans alike. There is nothing like it and I think there should be more of them around the country. A huge thanks goes out to Daron Rahlves and everyone associated with putting this tour together.

The Rahlves’ Banzai Tour 2013 Overall Point Standings