The 1st annual Dumont Cup went off big time April 11, 2009, the anniversary
date of host Simon Dumont breaking the world record with a 35’ jump at his
home resort of Sunday River.
68 amateur athletes showed up and showed their stuff in a big air, big
pro/am showdown throwdown at Sunday River Resort. Under sunny skies and
perfect spring ski conditions, these bold young talents competed for a spot
in the final round where they’d go head to head with pros Jossi Wells from
New Zealand, Tom Wallisch, Colby James West, Mike Riddle, and the host- Simon
Dumont himself!
The
spectators were amped on sunshine, Target gift cards tossed out by the
generous judges, and free Red Bull - Dumont’s major sponsors. It was a
continuous show of huge hits off the Rocking Chair course that started with
a shooter jump then two monstrous table tops jumps (50’ and 90’) plus a rail
and staircase that punctuated the slope style course. Simon said, “Sunday
River pulled out all the stops, and built an awesome course and the sponsors
all came through.”
This was a dream event for the competitors, skiing side by side with their
idols, and a dream come true for Bethel native, seven
time
X Game medalist, Simon Dumont – who wanted to bring an open format amateur
event to the East Coast. Dumont said “As I came up through the ranks, I had
to travel to the west coast to compete. I wanted to make it easier for local
talent to break in to the circuit.” Dumont, now 22, started skiing Sunday
River at age 3, made his first X Games appearance at 15, winning his first
Gold at 17.
The
highlight of the Dumont Cup was Simon and his freeskier friends launching off
the huge 90’ jump in rapid fire succession (they call it “training” like a
flipping twisting locomotive off its tracks). Competitors came from as far
as France, Quebec, Utah and California – like 8-year-old Aspen Spora
(dressed in Simon’s trademark red/white Oakley like a mini-me Dumont
wannabe). Charlie Owens came from Boone, N.C., and was relieved to learn at
the athletes’ lunch that he made the cut to the finals.
The
afternoon finals was an awesome aerial show, with the qualifying amateurs
popping huge tricks for the judges, peppered with the pros taking their
turns, and Simon going last but not least in each of the three rounds to the
cheers of the fans lining the Rocking Chair park. Colby James West, pro
skier from neighboring New Hampshire, said “I love the format of Simon’s
event with three rounds so everyone gets a chance to throw down and go
crazy.”
As for winners, it was the crowd that took home the prize performances,
seeing X-Game caliber talent under sunny skies, and having the opportunity
to mingle with their favorite ski celebs and the future freeskier stars.
The
winner du jour was Tom Wallisch who fired off the cannon with a misty,
followed by a 900 and a superb switch 1080. Mike Riddle’s cork 900 and
switch 1080 earned him 3rd, while amateur Joss Christensen wowed the crowd
with his flip, and two switch 1080’s for 2nd. The Podium included Champagne,
autograph signing and photo ops with Simon Dumont and his rock star ski
buds.
Winner of $10-grand Tom Wallisch said “This is the best course on the East
Coast I have ever seen. I’ll definitely be back for the 2nd annual Dumont
Cup.” Simon Dumont placed 4th in his signature event, proving to be a most
gracious host.
Jake
Largess, Dumont’s manager, said “We have been to events all over the world, Aspen’s X-Games,
Jon
Olsen’s JOSS invitational in Are, Sweden),
Sunday River did a great
job creating the best course and the event was everything we could have
hoped for.”
In the end, Simon said, “This is just the start, this is nothing compared to
what you can expect at next year’s Dumont Cup!”