Uploaded March 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
SAPPORO--Japan hosts one of snowboarding's premiere events--the Toyota Big Air competition in Sapporo Dome--but Japanese riders were hard pressed to match the skills of their international counterparts in the contest eventually won by Antoine Truchon of Canada.
"I feel both happy and sad," said Toshiki Yamane, who placed second in the competition on Feb. 24 as the first Japanese to stand on the podium. "I'm happy to be the first, but the result shows how far we still have to go."
With more than $100,000 (9.3 million yen) of prize money on offer, as well as a Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV to the winner, there was certainly incentive enough. Yet only two Japanese riders were invited to the competition--Yamane and Yuki Kadono. Wearing the number "1" on his bib, Kadono was the Hokkaido favorite with locals' hopes riding on his shoulders, having won the Air&Style competition held in Beijing in December.
"What am I going to do with a car if I win?" asked the 16-year-old, as sponsors explained the prizes. Despite his swagger, the youth failed to get into the half-final. Instead it was the unheralded Yamane who pulled through, beating out Norwegian Gjermund Braaten with a well-executed triple cork 40-40 to gain a place in the finals against Truchon.
Yamane attempted the same aerial maneuver against Truchon in his first jump in the finals, but failed to land it properly. A less-than-impressive front 12 jump was enough to win it for Truchon, who praised his competitor.
"He's a sick rider," said Truchon. "He's a great rider and I admire his style. Actually I was able to inspire myself by watching him."
Sage Kotsenburg and Gjermund Braaten shared third place in the 17th annual competition, which drew more than 31,000 spectators over two days.
By LOUIS TEMPLADO/ AJW Staff Writer, Vido by HTB
SAPPORO--Japan hosts one of snowboarding's premiere events--the Toyota Big Air competition in Sapporo Dome--but Japanese riders were hard pressed to match the skills of their international counterparts in the contest eventually won by Antoine Truchon of Canada.
"I feel both happy and sad," said Toshiki Yamane, who placed second in the competition on Feb. 24 as the first Japanese to stand on the podium. "I'm happy to be the first, but the result shows how far we still have to go."
With more than $100,000 (9.3 million yen) of prize money on offer, as well as a Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV to the winner, there was certainly incentive enough. Yet only two Japanese riders were invited to the competition--Yamane and Yuki Kadono. Wearing the number "1" on his bib, Kadono was the Hokkaido favorite with locals' hopes riding on his shoulders, having won the Air&Style competition held in Beijing in December.
"What am I going to do with a car if I win?" asked the 16-year-old, as sponsors explained the prizes. Despite his swagger, the youth failed to get into the half-final. Instead it was the unheralded Yamane who pulled through, beating out Norwegian Gjermund Braaten with a well-executed triple cork 40-40 to gain a place in the finals against Truchon.
Yamane attempted the same aerial maneuver against Truchon in his first jump in the finals, but failed to land it properly. A less-than-impressive front 12 jump was enough to win it for Truchon, who praised his competitor.
"He's a sick rider," said Truchon. "He's a great rider and I admire his style. Actually I was able to inspire myself by watching him."
Sage Kotsenburg and Gjermund Braaten shared third place in the 17th annual competition, which drew more than 31,000 spectators over two days.
By LOUIS TEMPLADO/ AJW Staff Writer, Vido by HTB
