Red Bull Heavy Metal, a renowned streetstyle snowboarding contest, returned in 2022 after a hiatus of two decades. Since its revival, the contest has provided a platform for talented rail riders to showcase their skills. This year, on February 10, the event took place at the transformed Minnesota State Capitol Building in Saint Paul, attracting 32 snowboarders and an estimated 8,000 spectators.
The competition featured three distinct zones, each presenting its own set of challenges. In Zone 1, the athletes soared over a massive 40-foot, two-stories-tall gap. Zone 2 showcased a series of 25-foot down rails, with one rail followed by a mandatory stair gap. The evening's main event, Zone 3, featured a 60-foot down-flat-down handrail running down the center of the Capitol stairs.
The contest concluded with both male and female winners named from each of the three zones, as well as an overall champion in each category. Luke Winkelmann secured the overall male title with his impressive performance in Zone 2, while Egan Wint defended her title and claimed the overall female crown with her outstanding showing in Zone 1.
Wint's victory in Zone 1 was achieved through her execution of a frontside 360 and a backflip. In Zone 2, she impressed the judges with a frontboard on the down rail followed by a back 180 over the stairs. Finally, on the 60-foot down-flat-down rail, Wint nailed a boardslide, solidifying her triumph. Reflecting on the event, she expressed her satisfaction with the warm reception from the public, stating, 'Hopefully when they go home, they'll see what's up with the riders they saw. We're bringing street snowboarding to the people!'
While some snowboarders prefer sticking to rails and stairs, Winkelmann has proven himself to be a versatile athlete, excelling in all terrains. As a member of the U.S. Snowboard Slopestyle Team, he boasts two podium finishes in the FIS World Cup slopestyle events and a fourth-place achievement from the 2019 U.S. Open. In addition to his success in slopestyle, Winkelmann has also established himself as a force to be reckoned with in streetstyle contests. He won the men's snowboard streetstyle final at Dew Tour in 2021 and secured third place overall at Red Bull Heavy Metal in Detroit last year.
Winkelmann's performance in Zone 1 included a flawless frontside 360 crail, while his creativity shone through in Zone 2 with a big cab 270 onto the gap rail. Finally, it was a backside bluntslide on the final zone's rail that cemented his victory. Expressing his gratitude, Winkelmann marveled at the opportunity to legally snowboard in a state capitol building, remarking, 'This was awesome for street snowboarding. Thank you to Minnesota state officials for having us and supporting the vision.'
The contest director, Joe Sexton, a Minnesotan himself, was in awe of holding the event on the steps of the Capitol Building, describing it as a surreal experience. Sexton believes that the contest showcases the technicality and difficulty of street snowboarding, capturing the attention and excitement of spectators. The influential event was supported by notable figures in the industry, including pro snowboarder and Olympic commentator Todd Richards and pro rider and host of The Bomb Hole, Chris Grenier, who served as emcees.
The judging panel comprised Mikey LeBlanc, Tommy Gesme, and Mary Walsh, while Slush the Magazine's Justin 'Stan' Leveille and The Bomb Hole's Julia Spadaro acted as field reporters, providing insights and updates. The contest was meticulously prepared, with 23 course build staff members dedicating a total of 304 man hours to construct the three zones. This involved importing 500 cubic yards of snow from nearby Buck Hill and utilizing one ton of steel for the installation of the rails. The rails were built in Duluth, transported to Saint Paul in sections, and then expertly welded together on-site to ensure a secure fit. Notably, they were not drilled into the Capitol steps and were entirely self-supported.
Overall, Red Bull Heavy Metal proved to be a thrilling and remarkable event, highlighting the immense talent and creativity of streetstyle snowboarders. The crowd, the athletes, and the industry came together to celebrate the progression of the sport and the unique challenges it presents. As the contest drew to a close, Egan Wint and Luke Winkelmann were deservedly crowned as the overall champions, reflecting their exceptional performances throughout the competition.
