Ten talented riders will be displaying some of their best tricks during the Snowboard Rail Jam, which runs from 9.15 to 10pm on Saturday August 18th at the Vans Invitational. The Vans Invitational is the third stop of the AST Dew Tour and runs from the 16-19 of August at Portland’s Rose Quarter.

Wade Martin, President and General Manager of the AST Dew Tour said that the Snowboard Rail Jam will include “some of the world’s best snowboarders competing on a man made tower in Portland” and argued that it was “hard to beat that.” Stating that it had been an amazing event for the past two years, he declared that he expected this year to be no different.

Finishing third place in last years Snowboard Rail Jam competition; local rider Colin Langlois, 26, of Ashland, Oregon is keen to do better in 2007. Langlois’ main competition consists of Chris Rotax of Monktana, Vt who finished in second place in 2006 and rider Lucas Magoon. 18 year old Magoon, of Ludlow, Vt enters the rail jam with a win at the 2007 Vans Cup at Tahoe.

Joining these three competitors will be riders Pat Milbury, Jonas Michilot, Silas Stannard, Mike Casanova, Zac Marben, Travis Kennedy and Charles Reid who make up the rest of the ten-man competition.

The Rail Jam begins with riders perched atop a 30 foot snow covered platform and then snowboarding down the course to show off tricks on a handrail with ledges either side. Each competitor will be allowed one introductory run, followed by a 30 minute jam session that promises to amaze crowds and includes all the athletes. Fans can watch the snowboarding jam outside the Rose Quarter from 9.15 until 10pm.

Words: Rosalyn Gomersall