Robby Balharry’s ascent up the nation’s slopestyle and big air snowboard rankings continued last week with two more top 10 results.
“It’s going good. I’m stoked about how the season has gone so far,” Balharry said.
After touring Europe in various big air and slopestyle competitons, Balharry finished seventh in a world cup event in Spain. While he wanted to land on the podium, he was happy to get the world cup experience.
“They had no snow and it was pretty icy,” Balharry said. “The jumps were a little different. They’re smaller and not as ‘kicky’ as what I’m used to. But you just go faster and farther down the jump.”
He performed well and was the only competitor to land a double cork, but put his hand down on the finish, which cost him points. As one of only four Canadians competing against 60 other competitors, he represented his home nation well.
Balharry then flew to a big air competition in Denver, Colorado, where a 180-foot tall scaffolding was set up in the city’s downtown area for boarders to compete on.
“There were 165 stairs and you get to the top and get a view of the whole city,” Balharry said.
The Canmorite was sitting in second going into his last run, but had trouble on the final pass.
“I landed my trick, but not the trick I wanted,” Balharry said.
Balharry has mastered double corks and double rodeos, which has solidified his spot among the nation’s top 10 boarders.
“Basically, if you don’t have them, you’re done,” Balharry said.
The next stop is the top three.
While he’s entering more big air competitions, slopestyle is his main focus.
“There’s a good chance it will be in the next Olympics. I still enjoy linking tricks together.”
He’s competing at the Burton Canadian Open at Canadian Olympic Park this Friday (Feb. 4). His strong performance last year at the event earned him a spot in the semi-finals, and he hopes he can build upon his results at the world cup.
On top of the competitions, Balharry is filming a boarder video, which he wants to complete this year.
.png;w=120;h=108;mode=crop)
