The trigger was a US trip that started with a word from a rider.
I never thought that I would see it directly at that time.
I had heard from Hikaru Takizawa about three years ago.
"I want to expand my activities not only in the Japanese scene but also in overseas scenes."He has practiced in New Zealand and other countries but has never participated in overseas competitions, but due to his riding technique and youth, "the first step will come soon." I remember feeling at that time.
Two years later, in early February 2, I suddenly got a chance to see the opportunity.
I landed in Pennsylvania with him for the US Revolution Tour.
The destination is SEVEN SPRINGS.
While driving a rental car until I arrived at the hotel, I was wondering what kind of condition was waiting in this situation with little snow.
I didn't know until it actually arrived, and the two of us rubbed the image together, but when it actually arrived, there was only the quality that the US OPEN qualifying session was held, and there was a beautiful super pipe and 12m, 17m. And I was able to confirm the kicker of about 22m from below.
On the first day, we completed the registration and lightly checked the park for the tournament.
The kickers and items were neatly maintained one by one, and I could imagine a fairly high-level battle on the day of the tournament.
However, as I had checked many times in advance, the weather deteriorated from the morning, and it became rainy instead of snow, and the weather was unstable for the next few days.
Roughness was expected on the day of the tournament, but there was also an overseas rider saying "No one can control the weather", "I will do what I can without worrying about it." The words of light remained in my ears.
7SPRINGS was a better resort than I had imagined.
Snowboarding, many lessons for children who are just starting skiing, elderly people who read slowly in cafes and restaurants without skiing, villas at the top of the ski resort, lodges where accommodation is possible, conferences that can be accommodated by major companies I was able to feel the quality of facilities and services such as the center.
It was enough to make me imagine other resort areas in the US, and it was also a moment when I was very happy that Japanese people who came to Japan brand estivo wear came to participate in the war.
The next day, strong winds and invisible gas covered the ski area, and we waited for several hours in a delicate situation to see if we could practice publicly.As a result, the public practice was canceled due to bad weather.
I was looking forward to the high-level public practice of riders from all over the world as well as US riders.
The judge's decision that the big kicker in this bad weather is extremely dangerous will carry it over tomorrow and beyond.I thought I'd come this far, but it's the same for everyone.The only remaining public practice date is tomorrow.
Hikari was accustomed to another park on the hillside while checking the special snow feeling of XNUMXSPRINGS artificial snow.In addition, there are street-conscious items near the base of the ski resort, which is not a permanent item size in Japan, but it seems that such items are not unusual here in the US.
While various riders are also shooting, the light also attacks like a foot break.Immediately trying on the item at that place and seeing how to make it makes me feel that I am not only young but also understand and control my movements.
His characteristics, including free-running, are clean, soft sliding and excellent balance.
In response to the desire of light to leave the ski area and then check the street, we went to the street in a small town called Donegal, which is about XNUMX minutes by car.The light that shoots while it rains again.
What was strange was that the estivo wear was a great match for the US riding and street scene.
Hikari said, "Coolness is an important part for me, and estivo keeps making new proposals every year, but estivo's wear is easy to move and style, and as a result, it gives out my originality. I really like the fact that it is easy.
Isn't it the best match for the scene to be able to put out a style by wearing the clothes that are the easiest to move in that place and condition? I got a reply.
I was very convinced of the words when I was holding the camera.
The fact that individuality can be expressed only by color, pattern, and size is the same for all wear brands, although there are differences in materials and quality.However, by wearing clothes that are easy to move and give out your own style, it is possible to create individual original tea that only you can give as a result.
This is because I could understand it through the viewfinder even if I couldn't understand it in my head during the shooting in the US.
And the last day of the public practice started a few hours later in the condition of cloudy, sometimes snowy and strong wind.The slopestyle course has an item area at the top and a triple kicker at the bottom.
While each rider struggled to secure the speed of entry due to a considerable strong wind, the light also started to be released.
I made the upper item well, but it was difficult to even slip properly due to the strong wind at the entry of the kicker at the bottom.Other riders also had difficulty putting together one run.
As for the kicker, it was difficult to compare the light with other riders due to the strong wind, but the light style of the upper item is at a level comparable to other riders.It was a very exciting day for tomorrow's main race.
And the day of the main battle of REVOLUTION TOUR in 7 SPRINGS has arrived.
When I woke up early in the morning and looked at the sky, the snow that had fallen from last night was about XNUMX cm on the road, and it continued to fall.
After getting ready, I got into the car and arrived at 7SPRINGS, but it was still gas.Moreover, it is raining.
Since the conference room was a rider meeting place, it can be held there Waiting until 11 o'clock.Hikari was in good condition so that he could slide immediately while communicating with overseas riders.
And at 11 o'clock of the decision, the management office announced the start of the public release before the production.
As the riders started to move in a hurry, we hurried to the slopestyle course.
However, even if I was next to the kicker, I couldn't even confirm that the rider was slipping.
After a few slips, the riders waited for another XNUMX minutes.
As a result, the main race was canceled.
However, it seems that it was an important experience for Hikaru Takizawa who participated in this 7SPRINGS REVOLUTION TOUR.
"I participated in a real competition with overseas riders, and it was a very good study to understand the difference from the Japanese level, the consciousness to participate in the race and the flow of the day. I think that it was a very good harvest in itself that it became easier to imagine the participation in the war.
I felt it again with this participation.After all I want to challenge overseas.And I am very grateful to estivo for giving me a chance to express myself by wearing it. "
Takizawa Hikaru who clearly told me.
The next challenge that became clear after staying for only 4 days.
It must be even more interesting and will continue to grow as a promising rider.
For details on this US Trip, REVOLUTION TOURestivo Riding Photobook Vol.4As
You can see it with lots of pictures and 2014-2015 estivo wear.
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