Photos by Rick Hutchings, Ollie Powell, Sissy Herant & Maria Herant
In the UK summer is the season of festivals, we have Glastonbury, Leeds & V to name just a few. There are of course hundreds of other smaller festivals around the country and The Farmers Jam is certainly the skiers choice. It includes all the basics of a good festival, music, camping and beer, with a little added skiing to keep everyone entertained.
This was my first time at The Farmers Jam and I had been asked to judge some of the events but had no idea what to expect. There was to be a slopestyle competition on Saturday and a big air on Sunday which would both be combined to crown an overall rider of the weekend. As the event got underway and i was handed my judging sheets i was once again astounded by the strength of the British ski community. There were almost double the amount of skiers than boarders with most of them in the under 17's category and the level of skiing as high as ever.
Both qualifications and the 10 man final were run as jam sessions and after all was said and done it was almost impossible to pick a top 3. Local boy Tom Coe grabbed third place after a super stylish and consistent display including 2's and cab 2's on to the rails as well as finding time to kill the jump. Joel Melia took second after landing a super tech rail run right at the end, including k-feds both ways and 2 on, switch-up, 2 out of the down rail. But it was Tyler Harding who eventually came out on top after landing a whole load of different tricks including some huge disasters on the flat down rail and a hardway 4 on to the down rail.
As the skiing finished, tents were erected in the nearby field, barbecue's started smoking and beer flowing and partying could be heard well into the early hours. The next morning after a lot of brews, bacon butties, and red bull riders started appearing back on the slope for the big air contest. Once again there was a massive field of skiers and a really high level making it nearly impossible to judge. But we managed to narrow it down and held a two run final for the top eight.
After all season training out in Morzine, Jack Nicholson landed third place with some super stylie flat 5 japan's and cab 7 high mute's. Tyler harding took second with some cork 7's and cork 9's, But once again it was local Tom Coe who proved he can ride this jump better than anyone going massive on every hit and stomping a cork 7 nose and a cab 7 high mute.
After adding up the positions from both days it was Jack Niocholson in third, Tom Coe in second and Tyler Harding who took the crown of rider of the weekend.
Mens Slopestyle Results
1st - Tyler Harding
2nd - Joel Melia
3rd - Tom Coe
Womens Slopestyle Results
1st - Katie Summerhayes
2nd - Sissy Herant
3rd - Kelly O'Donnell
Mens Big Air Results
1st - Tom Coe
2nd - Tyler Harding
3rd - Jack Nicholson
Womens Big Air Results
1st - Katie Summerhayes
2nd - Molly Summerhayes
3rd - Beth Britain
Mens Overall Results
1st - Tyler Harding
2nd - Tom Coe
3rd - Jack Nicholson
Womens Overall Results
1st - Katie Summerhayes
2nd - Molly Summerhayes
3rd - Kelly O'Donnell