Rails to Riches Recap 2015

Words: Kelley Wren
Photos: MacKenzie Hennessey

Every year, snowboarders wait patiently for their lottery ticket into Rails to Riches at Killington Parks, Vermont. This year was no exception. Some competitors didn’t get the green light until a few days prior, but this event is definitely something to clear your schedule for whether you are competing or just spectating.

The day started out in the high 40’s. Spring like weather caused the park set up to be moved from it’s usual location to another from too much draining water. The mud would have made for some interesting landings. VNTRbirds’ were lucky this season with two of our team riders in Rails to Riches: Jamie Trayer and Ashley Giangregorio.

Qualifiers started underneath the warm sunshine and the ladies wasted no time busting out their tricks. Lily Calabrese, a Rails to Riches veteran, lead up the charge, followed by Lauren Tamposi.
“The set-up was big, but perfect”, according to Ashley Giangregorio. And all the girls took charge on these bigger features and showed how stoked they were on each other’s style and tricks.
“The group of girls were all very tight knit… it was a really positive vibe” says VNTRbirds team rider and photographer, MacKenzie Hennessey.

In the end only six girls could advance to the finals. Maggie Leon, Jamie Trayer, Lily Calabrese, Ari Morrone, Lauren Tamposi and Britt Horowitz really rode the whole qualifiers strong, consistent and stood out among the others and found themselves continuing on.

As evening came and the temperatures of the day started to cool with the sinking sun, the finalists were really cranking up the heat. Each girl, more comfortable on the features were going bigger and better than before. The crowd rose up and went wild as Lauren Tamposi finally landed her backside 270 onto the down-flat-down also landing her with Best Trick.

 

At the end of the long day, all the girls tired from hiking, but still excited to see how the judges played out their riding. Ari Morrone hailing from Big Boulder, Pennsylvania made it out to claim first with Lily Calabrese close behind. Finally Lauren Tamposi took up the third place spot.