Mayhem. That’s the only word to describe the Jon Olsson Invitational Big Air in Åre, Sweden. On April 4, 18 of the world’s best clashed under the lights, for cash and more importantly, the glory of joining skiing’s upper echelon as a JOI Champion.
After a very wet practice, each competitor was given two jumps, the best one counting, in which to impress the judges and vie for one of eight final spots. Dub corks galore, even a forward 1440 from Fridchof Fredriksson were all on the table. Unfortunately, the 2007 JOI Champ and last week’s Sweet Rumble Champ PK Hunder suffered a minor neck injury and took himself out of the competition, despite sitting in first place after the first run. But in the end the line-up consisted of Jon Olsson, Jossi Wells, Thomas Dolplads, Russ Henshaw, TJ Schiller, Andreas Håtveit, Oscar Scherlin and teen sensation Bobby Brown. Jossi, however, due to a nagging knee injury, relinquished his spot to Henrik Harlaut.
In the first rounds it was Jon Olsson against teen super hottie Bobby Brown. Both dropped switch dub rodeos, Jon opting for the 1080 variation while Bob stuck with the 900. Smart move for Jon, as he moved on. Next it was Andreas Håtveit against Henrik Harlaut. Henni Lo dropped a near perfect switch 1620 mute and Andreas blew everyone’s mind with a dub cork 1260, advancing himself against his Scandinavian brother. Oscar Scherlin then squared off against big timer TJ Schiller. TJ threw a switch dub rodeo 900 with the most perfectly executed landing ever and Oscar threw the biggest switch 1260 double mute ever, with the Åre local Scherlin advancing. And in the final prelim round, Aussie Russ Henshaw beat Norwegian Thomas Dolplads. Russ’ dub 1080 double grab stomping all over Thomas’ forward 1080.
In the semi-finals, Russ used a dub 1080 to push past Swedish legend and event namesake Jon Olsson’s switch double 1080, whereas Andreas narrowly beat Oscar’s gigantic switch 1260 with his dub 1260 mute. In the consolation jump for third/fourth place between Scherlin and Olsson, the two decided to hit the jump tandem, thus splitting third place and the prize money.
In the finals, a one-and-done format, Russ and Andreas threw the same tricks they used all finals: dub 1080 double grab vs. dub 1260. Both perfect, both large, both stomped. While the two finalists made their way to the stage, the crowd was kept in suspense. But in the end, it was Australia’s Russ Henshaw who took home the crown, King of JOI. The traditional champagne spraying saw Jon Olsson drench Oscar and Russ before they could get their champagne open.
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