UNION SQUARE STREET SESSIONS RECAP

Thursday, February 7th saw the second annual Union Square Street Sessions in downtown Manhattan. Based in the heart of NYC, the USSS brought over 20 top riders, trucks full of snow, a killer rail set-up, sponsor village and music to an urban setting that rarely sees snowboarding. Yale Cousino, Lucas Magoon, Aaron Bittner, Sky Gale, Mike Casanova and Chris Rotax were just a few of the riders that showed up to throw-down. The $30,000 prize purse awarded one of the highest pay-outs for a rail jam with $15,000 cash for first place. The action kicked off at 3pm with demos, music and plenty of giveaways in the sponsor village. The qualifiers narrowed the field to 16 and the jam format motivated riders to get in as many runs and tricks as they could as the judging was based on overall impression during the 30 minute session. Burton riders Yale Cousino and Chris Rotax advanced on to the semis but Yale had tweaked his knee on the Red Bull wall ride and pulled out of the competition. Rotax held it down for his teammates though, advancing to the finals with seven other riders including Magoon, Bittner and Casanova. As the finals began, Trevor Andrews’ band Trouble took to the main stage and got the crowd amped. Unsponsored rider Mike Casanova ended up taking home the big check for $15k after landing a killer Cab 270 hardway 180 switch 50/50 switch backside 180 out on the down rail. Chris Rotax finished 3rd and won $3500, his backside 270 on 270 out on the down rail was one of his most notable tricks. “The 2008 Street Sessions were off the hook this year," said Rotax. "The level of riding was amazing! The set-up was sick and the crowd was stoked. The warm weather and the music made this event one to remember.”