GALLERY: Natural Selection returns for round two
Natural Selection returned to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for a second year of big tricks, high stoke and hard-fought competition among some of the best snowboarders from around the world.
The two-day event took place on the Moran Faces of JHMR, which have been closed to the public all season allowing staff time to build substantial features into the already gnarly terrain.
On Friday, Sage Kotsenburg and Elena Hight defeated their competition, winning Natural Selection.
Natural Selection
Travis Rice throws a backflip off the first jump Friday during the second day of Yeti Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The Jackson native made it to the quarterfinals but was knocked out of the running by Norwegian snowboarder Torstein Horgmo.
Natural Selection
Visiting from New York, Sean Brown, right, takes a swig of beer while Jackson resident Mary Beth Coyne, center, and Jon Sgouros, 27, from Sacramento, Calif., left, watch athletes take on the Yeti Natural Selection course Friday morning.
Natural Selection
A trail of snow flies behind Sage Kotsenburg as he lands a jump Friday during the second day of Yeti Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Kotsenburg emerged on top that day, winning the men’s bracket.
Natural Selection
Hight throws her final trick during her penultimate run Friday during the second day of the competition at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Natural Selection
Following the announcement of his victory, Sage Kotsenburg chats with James Garth, 13, left, Ace Emery, 12, center, and Ellis Swain, 13, Friday afternoon at the conclusion of Natural Selection. The group of young rippers eagerly awaited a chance to see Kotsenburg, their favorite snowboarder and friend. Last year, he went boarding with the group following the competition.
Natural Selection
Robin Van Gyn cuts between a group of trees Friday morning while competing in the final day of YETI Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Van Gyn made it to the final round that day, but was beat out by Elena Hight for first place.
Natural Selection
Robin Van Gyn, right, and Elena Hight, left, watch the recap of their last runs of the Natural Selection competition Friday afternoon awaiting final results. Hight emerged on top of the women’s field after a tiebreaker run.
Natural Selection
Sage Kotsenburg throws one final trick during his second run of the semifinals round Friday during the Yeti Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Kotsenburg knocked Mikkel Bang out of the running in the semifinals and went on to win the day.
Natural Selection
Waiting at the finish line Marvin Martell, 18, and his friends crowd around a phone Friday afternoon to watch the live feed of the YETI Natural Selection. The group of young snowboarders and skiers erupted in cheers when Sage Kotsenburg, their favorite athlete, won the competition.
Natural Selection
Sage Kotsenburg gives an interview outside the “Temple of Stoke” following his victory Friday afternoon at the Jackson leg of YETI Natural Selection. After the competition, staff, competitors and other personnel got their chance to ride the course which had been closed off to the public all season.
Natural Selection
Clint Ellinwood, right, from Boise, watches the final day of YETI Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with his friends Sean Brown, left, and Jon Sgouros, center, Friday morning. The trio of friends were making their annual visit to Jackson and celebrating Brown’s 27th birthday on the mountain.
Natural Selection
Norwegian snowboarder Torstein Horgmo throws a front side 360 to begin his run Friday morning during the second day of YETI Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Horgmo knocked Travis Rice out of the running in the quarter final.
Natural Selection
The four finalists, Sage Kotsenburg, Elena Hight, Robin Van Gyn and Jared Elston along with Travis Rice and announcer Jack Mitrani pose for a group photo Friday afternoon following the conclusion of YETI Natural Selection at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Kotsenburg and Hight were the two victors of the day.
Natural Selection
Following final laps and announcement of the victors, Travis Rice gives an interview at the top of the course Friday afternoon as the second annual YETI Natural Selection comes to a close at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Sage Kotsenburg and Elena Hight were the top riders of the week. Rice advanced to the quarter finals, but was knocked out of the running by Norwegian snowboarder Torstein Horgmo.
Natural Selection
Sage Kotsenburg gives an interview outside the “Temple of Stoke” following his victory Friday afternoon at the Jackson leg of YETI Natural Selection. Kotsenburg faced off against Gabe Ferguson, Ben Ferguson, Mikkel Bang and Jared Elston to claim the title.
Kathryn Ziesig
Kathryn Ziesig is a Nashville native who first came to the News&Guide in 2019 as a multimedia intern and returned to the newsroom full-time in 2021. Ziesig lives in town with her dog, Elivra, and a small forest of house plants.
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