Features

23rd Legendary Baker Banked Slalom

Interviews with the Top 3 Pro Women

Interviews by Sara Tollestrup
Photos by Susie Floros

The Legendary Baker Banked Slalom really needs no introduction. It’s widely regarded as one of the most true, grassroots events in snowboarding. That’s why riders of all types—young and old, rookies and pros, local and international—make the pilgrimage to Baker year after year. It’s a chance to grab a slice of shred history and make a claim at the Banked Slalom trophy: a roll of duct tape. We caught up with the top 3 women in the pro category to get their take on the fun times.

The Mount Baker Banked Slalom is truly a legendary event, and after attending my first Banked Slalom last year I vowed to make it a legendary part of my life too. The Legendary Banked Slalom, or LBS, is the kind of stuff granny stories are made of: people of all ages and abilities coming together to appreciate snowboarding’s roots, while giving each other high fives and kicking it BBQ-style in the parking lot. Nothing would stop me from attending this year’s LBS, held Feb. 8 to 10, except for the Baker access road being closed due to high avalanche danger and a gnarly cold that radiated through my skull. I was bummed I missed it, but I did get to catch up with the top 3 pro women—1st place Maelle Ricker (1:31.78), 2nd place Spencer O’Brien (1:32.95) and 3rd place Stacy Thomas (1:37.07)—to hear about their weekends. Not a bad consolation.

Maelle Ricker

When was your first LBS?
2007 [she won last year too]. I wanted to do it in high school and even got through the lottery entry process, but I got sick and my parents wouldn't let me go down.

What makes the event legendary for you?
It’s legendary because of the diverse riding styles that show up to race. It's a true testament to how fabulous our sport is and how important it is to keep events like the banked running forever. The event girls at Baker do such an amazing job of promoting. It’s the essence, it’s what I believe snowboarding should be. Riding a course that a 6 year old and a 60 year old can run with the top pros like Terje still showing up year after year after year—wow. My favourite is watching the pro masters though. They have the best style and look smooth as butter running the track.

How was race day?
The conditions were challenging on race day... not because of the snow or the track itself, but because of the visibility. I couldn't see a foot in front of me for the final runs so it made it extremely difficult to see where the banks actually were. Tricky, tricky. It was a crazy ride with lots of unexpected bumps and fresh snow areas.

What was the best part of the weekend?
The best was the powder riding between race runs. Everyone was out freeriding and getting face shots all week long.

What was the worst part of the weekend?
The worst part was missing Saturday. It was a bummer to not be able to get up to the mountain when you knew the snow was right there and just waiting to be slashed.

Spencer O’Brien

Can you sum up your weekend at the LBS?
It was fun. The weather was really bad, super foggy, a couple of girls said they couldn’t even see past the second turn.

How did you do in the actual race?
Good, Maelle killed it though, I wasn’t even trying to beat her. Her time was 1:30. The fastest guys got 1:29. She beat Terje and DCP! I did it in 1:32.

One second off the lead? That’s not too shabby.
Yeah, but the top 10 guys were super close, way closer.

I heard you got some sick prizes. What were they?
A sweet duct tape trophy, a handmade blanket, a huge Baker silver belt buckle and a surfboard.

Are you going to put that surfboard to use?
Yeah, I think so. I’m so bad at surfing. It’s a 7’0 so it’s kind of perfect for me. Maybe this summer when I go on vacation.

How about the belt buckle? Are you rocking it all over town?
It’s pretty big! I think I’m going to wear it on my shred pants.

I heard that there was a sign on the little drop in hut that read “say your prayers.” Did you?
Yea totally.

Stacy Thomas

How does the LBS compare to other competitions in snowboarding?
The LBS is an anti-contest contest which brings such a wide spectrum of snowboarders together while other events only allow a certain few. The LBS is so awesome because it’s like a family reunion that you actually enjoy attending, plus you get to ride pow or rain or whatever the Northwest weather Gods decide. It’s just fun!

What do you think it takes to make it to the podium at the LBS?
This year.... fast jedi skills because you couldn't really see anything.

Do you think you’ll still be doing the LBS when you’re in the Super Masters category?
I hope so but if not I will be the crazy old lady riding around and yelling at the young bucks and telling them how the course was more difficult and the racers were faster in the good old days.

What was the most exciting thing that went down last weekend?
Seeing the whole LBS family again and watching Matt with older ams.

Aside from snowboarding what did you get up to in the crazy town of Glacier (the town at the base of Baker, which during the last census had a population of 90)?
Saturday was a big day complete with lurking at the Wake ‘n’ Bakery for a couple of hours, watching a few movies, trying to hunt down friends, and eating fillet mignon. Quite a lovely little Saturday but didn't have enough time to make it to Bed, Bath and Beyond.