10th RIDE Shakedown Quebec

The RIDE Shakedown is going to get into his third and last round in this season and will celebrate on his original location in Canada, its 10th anniversary. At the Mont Saint-Sauveur in Quebec, 40 invited riders will compete for a total purse of 35’000 USD on this weekend, April 1-2. Totally 20’000 spectators are expected and will follow this great contest, which celebrates its absolute highlight in this season, coming up with three events. After having had a European premier in Germany in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the RIDE Shakedown went on to the U.S.A., where it took place for a second time. The last stop is Canada.

“This year is a milestone for us. Not only are we celebrating our 10th anniversary, but we now have three events in three different countries, one of which is a first in Europe”, explain Brendan O’Dowd and Patryck Bernier, founders and organizers of the RIDE Shakedown. “For our 10th year, we want to amaze both our athletes and our thousands of spectators. They have been there for us since the very beginning, so we want to thank them with the best show we can offer. Star athletes, the RIDE Shakedown partner village, the Videotron LED giant screen, and most of all, the atmosphere, are all ingredients to an event that promises to be memorable for all.” For this 10th edition, the event sponsor, Videotron, will give a handful of lucky spectators the opportunity to watch the riders’ performances from up close; a first for the RIDE Shakedown which will be revealed hours before the event.

In total, over $35,000 cash prize is at stake, and the cream of the crop will be in attendance – including all the event’s winners since 2002. Much like the past 10 years, participants will compete on a slopestyle course that combines a Big Air jump and a unique rail setup only unveiled moments before the competition.

On this last event, AMs have again the chance to compete against the pros and could qualify for the event, by competing at the qualifying events that took place throughout Quebec, or by registering online.

Heated battle expected

Thanks to the AM qualification, local Sébastien Toutant (CAN) pulled the rug out from under the professionals in 2006 and took home the big title. The one they call Seb Toots also took home the 2009 RIDE Shakedown, and is one of the game shakers in snowboarding today. The 18-year old Assomption native has, among other feats, earned himself three titles at the X-Games in Aspen. He took gold in the Slopestyle category by earning 97 points – breaking the record previously held by Shaun White, he equally earned a silver medal in the Big Air category all the while being named X-Games Most Outstanding Athlete. His achievements this season are international; he also ranked first at the Air & Style Beijing in China this past December. However, Toutant will need to be wary of friend and fellow team rider Mark McMorris (CAN), who has equally made waves this year by taking gold at the Air & Style Innsbruck, silver in the Slopestyle category at the X Games and who won the 2010 RIDE Shakedown. Eric Willett (USA) is no less a threat, the rider came in third at the O’Neill Evolution in Switzerland.

\\ 2011 RIDE Shakedown | day 1 \\

\\ 2011 RIDE Shakedown | final day \\

You can follow the event live on the webcast on FuelTV and in case you’re not home you still can follow the event, thanks to the official RIDE Shakedown app (for iPhone and Android).

| RIDE Shakedown | FuelTV |