Jumps, jams, wipeouts and wildcats - Faction Challenge winners announced

In the midst of a pre-spring thaw, snowboarders held onto what may have been the last snowboarding event of the season during the 9th annual Faction Challenge at Andes Tower Hills on Saturday, March 10.

Boarders coasted down the powder packed slopes of the Serendipity run, performing flips and wipeouts while taking in the sun’s rays in a mini-Aspen-esque scene.

“The Faction Challenge couldn’t have gone better this year,” said Jason Lybeck, owner of The Faction in Alexandria. “We had a good turnout of competitors, a solid commitment on Andes Tower Hills’ part to build our set-up and the level of riding was better than ever.”

More than 60 snowboarders attended the event this year.

Spectators basked in blue skies and near 50-degree temperatures as they watched contestants compete for the judges’ high marks.

Lybeck has been hosting the event since 2004. He said snowboarders come from all around the Midwest – sometimes farther, to prove who has the best overall snowboarding skills.

This year featured an entirely new set-up with more jumps and rails to ride. Lybeck and crew were armed with salt to keep the takeoff area of the jumps solid.

“There were riders doing maneuvers that even a seasoned veteran of snowboarding would have a hard time describing in layman’s terms,” Lybeck said.

Back-flips – also known as “wildcat” moves were seen among 270-degree board rotations, rail jumps and spin-offs.

The all-day long jam session was well attended by retro-sunglass wearing, short-sleeve-shirt sporting boarding fans of all ages.

For upcoming year-round board action, visit factionboardshop.com.

9TH ANNUAL FACTION CHALLENGE WINNERS

Open Class

1) Mike Jost

2) Cody Carlson

3) Ben Olson

Womens Open

1) Kalyee Carlson

2) Frankie Jost

3) Ella Sorenson

16-18 Age Group

1) Garrett Lundin

2) Colby Carlson

3) Aaron Lyngen

14-15 Age Group

1) Cory Holthusen

2) Nick Moore

3) Bailey Johnson

12-13 Age Group

1) Daniel Thompson

2) Justin Ohman

3) Micah Orsten

11 and Under Age Group

1) Cole Sorenson

2) Logan Hegg

3) Matthew Carlson

Will a skate park be coming to Osakis? Find out in the Osakis Review.

Tags: andes tower hills, news, faction, snowboard