Charles Pratt wins MVP at Mont Avila Stop 2 Recap—2018 Vans Hi-Standard Series at Mont Avila, Québec, Canada
With spring-like temperatures and soft conditions, The 2018 Vans Hi-Standard Series rolled into Mont Avila on Saturday with a record turnout in Quebec of 90 participants.
With a strong park scene and great support from the locals, the Avila stop had some of the best riding of the series so far. And with everything going down at the base of the mountain in view of the lodge, it was also great for spectators.
The day's big standout, Charles Pratt, won the title of MVP and will join all the other stop's MVPs with a free trip to the Vans Hi-Standard Series Grand Finale at Sierra-at-Tahoe, California in March.
"I can't believe I won MVP, I'm sure that it's going to be insane in California," said Pratt.
"Seriously, this event is the best way to get riders to progress," he added. "I was here with some friends and we just challenged each other all day to try different grabs to learn new tricks, it was awesome.
"It's great because at the end of the day everyone leaves with cash and is really stoked."
The Vans Hi-Standard Series operates on the philosophy that "style is everything" and no inverts or no spins over a 720 are allowed. This ensures that everyone from beginner to advanced riders has as much fun as possible.
Saturday's event kicked off with a series of Big Air-style jam sessions broken down by age categories, where tricks are called and the riders who land them with style and control are awarded with $5-bills. It's fun and completely stress-free, compared to the vibe of some other contests.
Dane Milligan was on-hill to MC, judge and give out some of the $2,000 in $5-bills to everyone who deserved it. He said the 2018 Vans Hi-Standard Series Stop at Mont Avila in Quebec was all about good vibes.
"Riders were displaying amazing skills, creativity and most importantly: STYLE!" said Milligan. "The jumps in the cash session were sick."
$500 More Up for Grabs at the Van Doren Rail Best Trick
The big air jam cash sessions were followed by the Van Doren Rail Best Trick jams, where riders in two age categories threw down their bags of tricks on a big and varied rail section made up of an elbow rail, a down box, a down-flat-down rail and a down rail with donkey.
"The Van Doren Rail Best rick jam was off the hook," continued Milligan. "With a multi-rail set up offering a rail feature for all skill levels, all the riders were stoked!
In the 15-and –unders, Mathias Cloutier grabbed $200 for his BS 180 to SW 50-50 on the down rail with donkey. And in the always crazy competitive 16 and Up category, Wesley Lalande's SW BS 270 nose grab gap on the down-flat-down rail earned him the day's biggest cash single grab: $300.
For showing constant improvement and lots of heart throughout the day, the Vans Hi-Standard Most Improved Rider Award went to Antoine Bissonnette and the Worst Bail of the Day consolation went to Lucas Tremblay.
LeBicar Offers Up Creative Inspiration at the House of Vans Workshop
For the more visually inclined, the best part was the House of Vans Art Workshop with Montreal artist, LeBicar, who was on hand leading a group of artists in customizing their own pair of Vans. While everyone took home their own free custom shoes, it was Philip Gagnon who ended up the big winner taking home three pairs of Vans Authentics customized by Lebicar himself.
walked away with the coveted the Giant Vans SK8-Hi, designed by LeBicar.
Over its entire tour, the 2018 Vans Hi-Standard series hits South Korea, China, Finland, the United States and Canada—and at every stop, registration is free. Vans also covers lift tickets and a lunch for all participants and a bunch of freshly made waffles hot off the irons.
For more info on the Vans Hi-Standard Series, including rules and regulations go to vans.com/histandardseries . The next stop of the Vans Hi-Standard Series is at Mount Snow, Vermont on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018. Online registration is available for 45 of the 90 spots.
The First Vans movie—LANDLINE— is coming January 26th!
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