Four winners crowned at Copper rail jam

COPPER MOUNTAIN - Josh Bishop won Saturday's men's snowboard division at Copper's sixth annual Leftover Yam and Jive Turkey Rail Jam with what he described as a 50-50 to rocket air, followed by a back 360 to the down rail.

Bishop, a Breckenridge 18-year-old, was the top male snowboarder - spinning, sliding and tapping his way to the top podium spot, while gaining a new Palmer snowboard in the process.

Sandra Hillen was the top female snowboarder, and Patrick Goodnough and Erin Young were the top male and female skiers, respectively, at Copper's Eagle Jib Park. The top skiers and boarders at the free competition won equipment, tickets, Red Bull and T-shirts.

"I'm pretty stoked about the win," Bishop said. "This was a fun contest and I got a new snowboard for nothing, so that's pretty cool."

Bishop, who was one of 100 competitors on Friday, isn't sure what he'll do with his new board, but wants to remain faithful to the one he rode to victory.

"I'll probably give it to one of my friends, I guess," Bishop said. "My board works fine and we got the victory together. I'm definitely going to keep this one around."

Skiers and snowboarders were split into two different groups. Participants were given 40 minute jam sessions to make as many runs on the course as possible before judges picked the top male and female riders in each group to compete in the final jam.

Finalists were given two attempts at the course, with their highest score being counted.

Goodnough, a 20-year-old from Breck, won his second consecutive Yam Jam.

"Basically it's a lot of spinning," he said. "I have fun every time I come out here. It's a good, seasoned course - I couldn't ask for much more."

Carrie Rossman, who was also competing in her first rail jam, agreed with Goodnough. The 20-year-old said when the temperature warmed up, the course was perfect.

"It was a really fast-paced event, which I liked," Rossman said. "For my first time, I think it went awesome."

Rossman finished second on the women's ski side, although she's only been skiing park style for five months.

"I've competed in a pipe event before, but never anything like this," the Breckenridge resident said. "I've just been pushing myself as hard as I can."



Josh Salerno can be contacted at (970) 668-4633, or at jsalerno@summitdaily.com.