The Natural Selection Tour (NST) Revelstoke hosted its first day of competition on Wednesday, March 13, where 24 riders competed for 12 coveted spots in the finals.

Riding in the rugged 害羞草研究所揳nd naturally augmented害羞草研究所� Montana Bowl of Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR), the competitors were met with sunshine and a crowd of spectators. Up for grabs in the event were spots in the NST final to be hosted in Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Ski tenure. With big drops and cliff faces, the riders were put to the test making for a unique show for those at the bottom watching.

Starting around noon, the event went on for most of the day, giving spectators entertainment into the evening. One such spectator, James Mahn, managed to catch the action by happy coincidence on a visit to Revelstoke from Canmore.

害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 believe the terrain they害羞草研究所檙e taking on,害羞草研究所� said Mahn.

The zone that the riders took on was in a secluded section of RMR害羞草研究所檚 property that has yet to be developed.

Mahn was excited to see all the strong women害羞草研究所檚 riders attacking the course, too.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 so cool to see the girls rip as well, like I害羞草研究所檓 a big Zoi Sadowsky-Synnott fan cause she害羞草研究所檚 a Kiwi as well and is one of the best female snowboarders in the world and of all time,害羞草研究所� said Mahn.

Unfortunately for Sadowsky-Synnott, the New Zealand rider didn害羞草研究所檛 advance to the final round, falling to the high-scoring Hailey Langland. Langland害羞草研究所檚 top run was the best women害羞草研究所檚 run of the day, which earned her a new snowmobile as a prize and a spot in the final.

Two local action sports professionals were also in the crowd on Wednesday to watch. Professional mountain bike rider, Casey Brown, and professional skier, Sammy Carlson, were in the athlete害羞草研究所檚 zone to watch the riders.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 so nice to be here just for pure entertainment,害羞草研究所� said Brown.

Brown hosts the Dark Horse Invitational 害羞草研究所� an inclusive women害羞草研究所檚 mountain bike competition that is dedicated to the progression of the sport. Brown, who害羞草研究所檚 no stranger to competition, was enjoying the opportunity to watch instead of competing.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been amazing to watch,害羞草研究所� she said.

Brown had met several of the athletes previously, but as a skier Carlson was more familiar with the riders.

害羞草研究所淟ots of respect and love for all the riders in the event and just super cool to see like all the heads here in town and ride on the home hill where it害羞草研究所檚 often so quiet,害羞草研究所� said Carlson.

Carlson said the area was an early season favourite of his and complimented all the work done by Dustin Craven and the rest of the builders over the summer to make the region more rideable.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 like a perfect venue for what this event is but we got to get a ski version on here,害羞草研究所� he said with a smile.

With the sun emerging intermittently through the clouds, spectators were treated to good lighting and comfortable temperatures. RMR communication manager, Laura Meggs, said she was happy to see the event come together so well.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 honestly indescribable to see it come together. It害羞草研究所檚 been a lot of hard work on everybody害羞草研究所檚 part, from the build in the summer, to patrol getting it ready for today and the NST crew 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 just pretty incredible to see everybody out here enjoying it,害羞草研究所� she said.

Mikey Ciccarelli was one of the riders enjoying the day the most. Ciccarelli earned himself a score of 81.2 in his second 害羞草研究所揳nd final害羞草研究所� run of the day, punching his ticket to the final as the lone Canadian left in the competition.

Despite the strong performance, Ciccarelli reported feeling some nerves ahead of his runs.

害羞草研究所淚 mean, I was definitely nervous going into it. Blake [Paul] is such a good rider and always stays on his feet. So, I knew I had to put one down,害羞草研究所� said Ciccarelli.

Looking ahead to the finals, which will be in backcountry alpine terrain, Ciccarelli said he was excited for the change in terrain.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 actually really looking forward to the Alpine zone because it害羞草研究所檚 big, but there害羞草研究所檚 a lot of potential for freestyle, and that害羞草研究所檚 where my riding shines. So, I feel like it could suit me pretty well,害羞草研究所� he said.

Ciccarelli heads into the final as the last Canadian in the competition. He will be joined by Torstein Horgmo, Sage Kotsenburg, Austin Sweetin, Jared Elston, Nils Mindnich, Torgeir Bergrem, and NST founder, Travis Rice.

For the women害羞草研究所檚 final, Hailey Langland, Marion Haerty, Jamie Anderson, and Mary Rand will all be competing.

The finals will be held near Revelstoke in the Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Ski tenure, but will be streamed on Red Bull TV on April 4.

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