TENJIN BANKED SLALOM 2019 was held for two days from Saturday, March 3nd to Sunday, March 2rd, 3.In order to participate in this tournament, which was held for the 2th time this year, we were able to get the right to participate in a dream by a general application, as well as a strong man who got the right to participate in affiliated tournaments all over the country, including professional riders in Japan and overseas. Many slippers, including participants, gathered at Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort in Gunma Prefecture.I will tell you the pattern with the impression that I actually slipped.
A challenging course to connect to next year
This tournament was held for the 9th time this year.A new challenge was attempted to hold the memorable 10th tournament next year.It was a change from the barn where the conventional course was made to a more difficult line, starting from a steeper slope, moving a little to the left when looking up from the bottom.This barn is also a famous line that Tenjin locals have always liked to slide when turning on a pass lift.Tournament producer Daizo Fukushima said, "I want to make this year a year of challenge for the 10th tournament next year."That led to a try on this aggressive Tenjindaira-like course.
As the course was created about a week ago, the warm winter that has plagued all parts of the country this season had a lot of influence on the course.Tenjindaira Ski Resort also suffered from icy snow quality with little snowfall just before the tournament, and had the difficulty of cutting hard snow blocks into blocks with a saw and stacking them to create a bank.
On the day of the tournament, the originally scheduled Saturday qualifying was changed to Course Inspection Day in a hurry.After all, the icy course condition did not change on the day of the event, and the upper bank was a hard course built on a steeper burn than before.The weather on Saturday was blessed with fine weather, but in this course situation, participants were concerned that injured people would be injured by slipping with the actual switch on with only a limited course check. I made this decision.
I made an entry this year and actually inspected this course as a participant, but the upper part is more inclined than I imagined, and although it slides down to the left and right banks, the board rushes to the fall line. I felt that it was a tense course where if I made a mistake in speed control, it would be swung out by the centrifugal force of the bank.Still, I got the impression that each bank is larger than the conventional size.That is why I want to keep the high line and run comfortably without killing speed.The speed adjustment is quite the key.It was such a course feeling.
All the participants "could try for themselves" this tournament
The next day, the race will finally come.The weather was cloudy and the temperature was low, and the apparent burn conditions remained icy.The starting order was from the men's open class and started at 9:00.As expected, many riders also made free runs before the race and started running after getting used to this icy condition.Among them, it is true that you will face the race by applying raw wax firmly.
At the beginning of the open class, riders with a proven track record lined up, and from yesterday, the 2nd and 4th banks, which had noticeable off course, also attacked on the high line.Watching the game from the top is quite powerful and spectacular.
At the 60th, I finally got off to a start.After the inspection on the previous day and before the race in the early morning of the day, the course development staff worked together to prepare the course, so the edge is more firmly on the snow surface than I imagined and the bank is also in place.In fact, I couldn't slip at all, but I managed to finish.To be honest, before the start, I was the most nervous of all the banked slaloms I had ever played. "Is it possible to finish the race safely? Isn't it blown away because I can't control the speed?"After the goal, there were friends who exchanged high fives with a smile, and the relief of successfully completing the race was the most pleasant.
After that, the tournament proceeded while the staff continued to improve the course, but the women's open class was changed to a lower start position to prevent danger.We will proceed with the tournament while adjusting to the ever-changing conditions.Many years of experience by veteran staff were also utilized in judging the situation around here, and all the participants finished gliding within the evening time.
Of course, this tournament called Banked Slalom clearly shows the time and results, and if you go off course, it will end on the spot.But I think it's not all about completing the race.For this day, slip firmly during the season, set goals and enjoy snowboarding.I think the process is the best of all.To be honest, it can be said that this course was in the hardest condition ever.But whatever the outcome, I think my own efforts to reach this day have become an irreplaceable treasure.
As I wrote at the beginning, as Mr. Daizo said, "This year is a year of challenge," I think this tournament was a "year in which all the participants could try for themselves." Snowboarders from legends over 50 years old to elementary school students slide on the same course and face themselves.I can't find any other competition like that.
This year marks the 9th year, and now alliance competitions are held all over the country, and this culture has taken root and is growing together.This banked slalom created by the management staff, locals, riders, participants and everyone.Next year will finally celebrate its 10th anniversary.I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of drama is waiting for me.
TENJIN BANKED SLALOM 2019 results here.
