The Dew Hut Jam is on this Saturday afternoon and for 2011 they have eleven riders in the running for the Rookie Award. They range from “15-year-old Henry Bessell, through to the likes of 21 year old Nathan Johnstone” and to win they need to go through a three part process. Part one is the public voting section. If you haven’t yet done it, you can cast your vote over here – voting closes at 12 noon Friday 29 July. The second part is a peer poll from non-Rookie’s competing in the event and the third component for them to win is based on their overall results in the comp. Check the full release on the Rookie Award below. Can’t wait for the weekend!
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PRESS RELEASE
TOP YOUNG SNOWBOARDERS BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIAN ROOKIE AWARD TITLE
Supporting youth melanoma awareness
Eleven of Australia’s most promising snowboarders are contending for the 2011 Gatorade Rookie Award, which determines the country’s most talented ambassador for freestyle snowboarding under 21 during the running of this weekend’s Dew Hut Jam at Mt Buller.
The award was inspired by one half of the 2009 Dew Hut Jam winning Quiksilver team, who was at that time the youngest and least experienced competitor in the field – then 15 year old Tim Laidlaw (Vic). The Dew Hut Jam features 30 of Australia’s top snowboarders who compete in teams of two riders for a combined prize purse of $19,000.
The award reflects not only ability but sportsmanship and also asks Rookie competitors to identify how they $4,000 cash prize will assist with the progression of their snowboarding career.
Dew Hut Jam curator Russell Holt says: “The Rookie Award is really exciting as it is not just about riding, but the whole package. In 2011, we hope to identify a young rider who is thirsty for his future and has the demeanour to take him there.”
Inaugural 2010 Rookie Award winner Chris de Campo says “winning the Rookie prize last year was probably the highlight of my season”.
The 11-rider strong Rookie line-up features young newcomers such as 15-year-old Henry Bessell, through to the likes of 21 year old Nathan Johnstone, who earlier this year was the first Australian to win the FIS World Snowboarding Championships in the half pipe.
The Rookie Award is judged in a three-part process with the first phase of public voting for the Rookie closing at 12 noon Friday 29 July on www.facebook.com/ mountaindewau
Once registration opens for the competition on Friday, the second phase of judging commences, as Rookies are then judged by votes placed by non-Rookie Dew Hut Jam competitors, the industry and Gatorade before even hitting the snow for the competition. The voting results are combined to form a ranking before main competition event on Saturday 30 July on Bourke St.
The third phase is the ranking generated from the results of the competition, with judging led by the TTR World Snowboarding Tour head judge Mel Simmons. The voting and riding results are combined to find the 2011 Rookie.
