"TENJIN BANKED SLALOM 3" was held at Gunma Tenjindaira Ski Resort from March 5th to 6th.This banked slalom is a time trial race that uses the course of several banks created by digger (digger) on the natural terrain.It's a simple thing about who can slide down and finish the goal first.This Tenjin Banked was built as a culture that inherits the origin of snowboarding, and this year marks the 2022th time.
Photo & Edit: Gaisu
Translation: Kenji Kato
A total of more than 400 slippers from all over the country gathered at the venue this year as well.Many snowboarders, including participants, tournament management staff, volunteers involved in course development, local locals, riders, manufacturers, and many other snowboarders were looking forward to the day.In the past, many big-name riders from overseas have participated and gathered a lot of attention, but this year, Terrier Harkansen, who is a super legend in the snowboarding world and is also called a god, entered the war in a hurry.
This year too, the snowfall before the tournament forced the course to struggle, but the experienced digger completed the course safely and the qualifying started on Saturday, which was blessed with fine weather.
The attraction of this banked slalom is that anyone, regardless of age or sex, can enjoy the tournament.Push your slip to the maximum and aim for the goal while clearing a series of banks.Some people get off the track on the way and get DQ (disqualified), but that is a good memory and a proof that they attacked.There are various dramas because we can put everything in one such production.Participating with friends and family and talking, "The habit of the bank over there is spittoon."In addition, brand booths are lined up at the venue, and you can try out the products for the next term.A feeling of air just like a snow sports day is flowing in the venue.
It was Terrier who made the tournament exciting.I was able to see him enjoying free riding on the slopes, and he was happy to answer the fan service.Among them, Terrier's slip in Banked is a masterpiece, and the speed and style of the slip should have completely permeated the participants' minds.He was the only one in qualifying where he had less than a minute to see how amazing it was.
The final was scheduled for Sunday, but due to the forecast that the weather will be quite rough the next day, it was decided to run the final run on the same day after the qualifying on Saturday.A tentative final (provided that the final was remeasured the next day) was held by the top players in each class qualifying time (12th to 3rd depending on the class).
Even in this final, Terrier set the fastest time faster than anyone else and won the open class with a perfect victory.In the open girls, Aya Sato has returned to the championship for the first time in six years.
The next day, unfortunately the final was not held due to bad weather, but the participants gathered in the form early in the morning to praise the winning players.
TENJIN BANKED SLALOM 2022 The final result is here.
From here, we will conclude this tournament with comments from the tournament producer, Daizo Fukushima, and Terrier.
This time was also a special event
"The line I was making from the first day was completely filled with the snow just before. There weren't many digger on Friday, but thanks to everyone's hard work, I finally got the course in a very good shape. We were able to proceed with the tournament safely on Saturday. On Sunday when we were planning to hold the final, there was an atmosphere among people who did not know Tenjin, "Isn't it impossible in this weather?" I was in the direction of doing everything until the end. The course itself has a really beautiful finish, and such a course is unique in the world and it is not a course that can be slipped easily, so I want everyone to slip somehow. We were discussing with the team about holding it, but it was decided that it would be canceled due to poor visibility and the forecast of rough weather. It was a pity that we could not hold it on Sunday. However, on Saturday, I was really excited to see Terrier's masterpiece slipping in front of me. I was raised in Tenjin and slipped in this field, and while there was a flow of being involved in banked management, Terrier did all of that. He embodied it. I always enjoyed free riding in my spare time and played in the terrain. I watched Terrier many times in the original Baker, and I want everyone to see the slip in Tenjin Banked someday. I was thinking, so I asked many times, "If you have a chance, come!". This time, I was very happy that the dream came true, and I could see everyone's smiles. Maybe that The awesomeness was something that only people who saw it live could taste. In that sense, I think it was a special event again. I hope everyone will participate next year and feel this unique atmosphere live. I want you to enjoy snowboarding. "———- Tournament Producer: Daizo Fukushima
When I actually came, I was surprised at the vibes
"I've heard about this tournament before, and I've seen photos and videos, so I knew it was the best of the big banked slalom tournaments, but when I actually came, I was surprised by the vibes. There are families cooking in the tent booth, everyone is here to really enjoy it. The fields are great and I think Tenjin is a really nice place. You can enjoy free riding even while waiting for the start. Because the course of the tournament is a course that makes good use of the natural terrain of the slope, the bank was technical. Unlike the course that maintains the same speed, there are many strengths and weaknesses of speed, which is why it was more interesting. Of course, the key to getting the fastest time for slalom is the line. It's also gambling whether the high part of the bank is good or the low part is the correct answer. There are few zones that shift the edge on the course. But I think it's a real way to gamble in a bank and it's fascinating. I feel like Japan is in the best season ever this season. I've been here for a long time. Proof of that. I've been skiing the best snow ever since I came to Japan. I'm lucky to spend this winter with everyone. And I'm really happy to be able to participate in this tournament and win the championship. I'm glad to spend this weekend with everyone here! Thank you from the bottom of my heart !! ”———- Terrier Harkansen
▼ TENJIN BANKED SLALOM 2022 Photo Slider Album
▼ Award Ceremony Photo Slider Album
TENJIN BANKED SLALOM official site here.
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