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Burton Cattleman's Rail Jam Wrap

snow action team 11.07.2016

Burton Cattleman’s Rail Jam 2016: Under bright lights and clear skies at Buller, and in front of one of the biggest crowds Cattleman’s has ever seen, Sam ‘Reddog’ Neumann has edged past 15 of Australia’s best snowboarders to claim his first Burton Cattleman’s Rail Jam title and a $4000 pay cheque.

Sam finished ahead of close rival and good friend, four-time Cattleman’s champion Jye Kearney in second place, and Jindabyne local Troy Sturrock in third.

Having podiumed in second place at the 2015 event, Sam Neumann from Byron Bay was certainly hungry for a win, coming out firing from the get-go with an impressive display of high technical spins on and off and the rail. His creativity and use of the entire stair set, including a series of never-been-done tricks, like his 50-50 to backside 360 out from the top close-out rail and switch backside 360 to 50-50 over the gap, landed him top spot on the podium and a $4000 pay cheque.

“I can’t believe it, this is what I’ve worked hard for all these seasons… I’m so stoked” Sam said as he clutched his novelty cheque and speculated about the festivities to come.

As one of the veterans of the Cattleman’s Rail Jam, Jye Kearney’s clinical approach to the event, consistently made tricks and famously casual style solidified his second place spot and $2000 cash.

Third place went to a frequent competitor at Cattleman’s Troy Sturrock, whose silky smooth style and utilization of the entire stair-set landed him of tricks landed him third place and a $1000 pay cheque to carry with him back to Jindabyne.

Best trick was awarded to Mt Buller local and park-crew member the Birdman, who nailed a highly technical, never-been-done maneuver on the top close out rail. Birdman landed a switch frontside lipslide on the close-out, transfer to frontside boardslide on the lower rail, a super high consequence trick which earned him a Traeger Grill valued at $1000.

For the first time, the 2016 Cattleman’s Rail Jam offered the chance for riders to qualify on the actual stair set itself, rather than an on-hill set up. Two elimination heats took place during the day, resulting in a 15-man final to decide the ultimate champion. “Running the qualifiers on the actual rail was a natural progression for us to make the event bigger and better, and we were really pleased to give some younger, up and coming riders a chance to hit Australia’s most infamous stair set” said Paul Colby, Burton Australian Marketing and Brand Manager.

As in years past, the official after party at the Kooroora Hotel did not disappoint with long time Burton friend and mix up extraordinaire Mucci igniting the Back Bar, providing a fitting finish to one of the biggest parties on the Australian snow calendar.

Official Results
1st Place – $4000 – Sam ‘Reddog’ Neumann
2nd Place – $2000 – Jye Kearney
3rd Place – $1000 – Troy Sturrock
Best Trick – Traeger Grill – Birman

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