Outdoor Central Oregon Issue 4 | April/May 2018 | Page 32

32 THE 32 ND MT. BAKER LEGENDARY BANKED SLALOM P: Colin Wiseman DIRKSEN TAKES THE WIN The 32nd Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom took place February 9th-11th at Mt Baker, Washington. Josh Dirksen traveled to Mt Baker and proved he can still rip at age 41. Josh bested his field which in- cluded former gold medalists, Seth Wescott and Nate Holland as well as snowboard- ing legend and lifetime Olympic boycotter Terje Haakonsen. Young Bend ripper, and Tactics team member Jared Elston was 13th. Other Bend riders made the trip, that include Kai Huggin, Adam Haynes and Curtis Ciszek. For Dirksen, it was his 20th year competing. He has placed 4th three times, placed 3rd four times, placed 2nd three times and took home his first ever Josh Dirksen’s first board sponsor was Morrow Snowboards. Here Josh and Rob Morrow win in 2018. celebrate Josh’s win after 20 attempts. P: Dirksen Family Waxing is a major component to winning timed races; you can be the best racer, but if your board isn’t fast you’re not going to podium. Dirksen knows how to wax and he definitely knows how to turn that board. P: Dirksen Family