Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic a success

The ninth annual Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic, Montana's biggest snowboarding event, was held Easter weekend at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Nearly 100 snowboarders took part in the two-day event, which included a banked slalom on Saturday and a boardercross on Sunday.

Groups of up to four snowboarders took off simultaneously down Goat Haunt on the back side of the mountain, going over jumps, berms and rollers, finishing in George's Gorge.

Spectators along the course were treated to an exciting two days of races. Several minor injuries were reported, but nothing serious.

Riders from all over the Northwest showed up to get their share of the $2,000 purse, great prizes provided by Stumptown Snowboards, or just to pay tribute to their old friend Nate Chute, who was a popular Whitefish snowboarder.

The event is now sponsored by the Nate Chute Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping teens in need of help after the death of Nate Chute. This kinship between his friends, family and snowboarders in the area has been central to the building of this event over the years, and it has grown steadily over time from a small grassroots event into one of the largest in the Northwest.

First-place combined-weekend open-class prizes went to Jamie Warner, of Fernie, B.C., and Manny Mendoza, of Whitefish, who is a former U.S. snowboard team member.

Visit www.skiwhitefish.com next week for helmet camera footage of the boardercross and full results.

Ninth annual Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic, Overall Open Class

Women

1 Jamie Warner

2. Jes Ford

3. Anna Bengston

4. Michele Calabretta

5. Brianna Henry

6. Carmel Johnston

7. Allison Welder

8. Allyson Arnold

Men

1. Manny Mendoza

2. Aaron Robinson

3. Brandon Oberdorfer

4. Jamey DuBosque

5. Jason Robinson

5. Guy Zoellner

7. Jason Forthofer

8. Jacob Gliege

9. Matt Sadler

10. Sky Risvold

10. MikeGallo