The first ever North American Open by Simon Dumont and Jon Olsson was thought by many to be the best open event ever. The NAO has set the new standards for open events. Saturday was the slopestyle event where the top 32 guys who qualified on Friday had three runs to put together their best run. The riders had to battle wind and snow all day but the speed stayed good and the riders threw down. In the end it Jacob Wester from Sweden coming out on top with a nine to switch nine into a sick double 12. Jon Olsson took second with his signature smooth style. Jon’s run consisted of a ten into a misty nine, and finished with his kangaroo flip. In third was Tanner Rainville with his effortless style. His run was a misty nine, switch nine, and he finished with another nine. The slopestyle comp had so many kids throwing down. There were several kangaroo flips being thrown, a switch double front, and a slew of 12s showing that the level of slopestyle skiing was brought to a new level this weekend.  

Sunday was the pipe comp with the top 32 guys moving on again to finals. The weather wasn’t the best, but the Breck. event staff keep the pipe in the best possible condition all day. In the end, it was Simon getting back on track taking the first place spot. Simon started his run with a huge 9 tail into a seven to a 12 foot switch 7, then finished his run with an alley-oop nine. Dan Marion took 2nd with solid skiing all day. Dan’s run was a nine into a right seven into a switch seven, and he finished his run with an flat spin. In third was Matt Duhamel, a CVA kid. Matt went big while adding some technical tricks to claim the third place spot.

As for the EMPIRE team, Pete Olenick skied well all weekend; but just couldn’t put it all together in his final runs. In slopestyle his run was switch right ten, switch ten, then he went for a 12 and just couldn’t bring it around. In pipe he put down a solid run, but got no love from the judges. Pete continues to look for the podium this year. The NOA was the first event Colby has missed the podium this year. In slopestyle Colby did a switch seven, misty nine, into a huge switch 10 bring it all the way to the bottom. In pipe Colby, was never able to put together a clean run. As for Jossi Wells, he continues to ski well; earning himself another win in the slopestyle at the Nippon Open in Japan.

Make sure to check out the whole EMPIRE team at the World Super Pipe Championships, in Park City.

Posted: February 28th, 2008 under Events.
Comments: 1

EMPIRE had another big weekend at 48 straight (formerly the Honda ski tour), which was held in Squaw Valley, CA. The youngest member of the team Jossi Wells showed that he’s got what it takes to compete with all the big name pipe skiers. Jossi went big his entire run while spinning both ways and also adding a switch-hit for the win. This was the biggest pipe-comp Jossi has won in his young career. Colby West continues to ski well. While waiting until his last run in finals to put down a solid run, he secured the 3rd place to round out the podium.

Simon Dumont was still battling his shoulder injury and couldn’t put together a solid finals run. After the comp Simon was obviously disappointed and at the next pipe comp look for him to throw down some tricks he has never done before. As for Peter Olenick he continues to struggle to put a complete run together. But once he figures it out he should find himself on the podium.

The Empire team is currently doing some back-country skiing in Idaho and Austria. Then they will all return to Breck for the North American Open.

Posted: February 15th, 2008 under Events.
Comments: 4

Here is a quick insight on the first collaboration between EMPIRE and Akomplice…

EMPIRE has teamed with one of the hottest new clothing companies on the market. Akomplice is an apparel company started by two brothers out of Carbondale, CO who grew up alongside the Olenick brothers. EMPIRE first heard about akomplice from Peter. EMPIRE liked everything we saw from their brand. We knew right from the moment we had the chance to meet them it would be ideal to do a collaboration as their company has a similar fresh vision to ours.

The story behind this first tee-shirt is once Pete got to connect Colby and Simon with the Akomplice guys and they all hung out for a bit. Akomplice got to know what they guys were all about both on and off the mountain and how they live a fast pace life style. Akomplice then took their interpretation of their lifestyle and came up with the tee.

The shirts will be on sale here in limited quantities. Be sure to check back soon for the limited sale of this t-shirt and for more EMPIRE collaborations soon.

Posted: February 1st, 2008 under Events.
Comments: none