This one’s for the girls!

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

It was all about getting the girls out and stoked at Martock last weekend as the hill played host to the Kinky Rail Jam all-female snowboard contest, the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.

There was some mighty talent, from intermediate to advanced, with some all-star competition including National Development Team Member Alexandra Duckworth, the 2007 Canada Games Stopestyle National Champion, and four members of the Rugged Riders group from Quebec, with Joanie Leclar and Magalie Dubois leading the pack.

Up-and-coming boarder and local Emily Earst also competed, placing third in the advanced category. She’ll go on to compete at Stoneham March 8 with the chance to walk away with a $3,000 prize for that event.

“It’s too sweet,” she said of her achievement Saturday.

“This is the first time young, aspiring female snowboarders in Nova Scotia will have an opportunity to see this calibre of competition,” says Natasha Burgess, Administrative Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Snowboard Association and Provincial Team Coach. “It’s also really exciting to have Alex coming home. We haven’t seen her compete in Nova Scotia for a long time.”



Wet weather? Whatever

Despite heavy rains the night before and double-digit temperatures, Rugged Rider coach Tiffany Butler said the show must go one.

“The weather didn’t really affect us,” she said. “Martock pulled it together and did a really good job.”

For Dubois, this was her first time competing in Nova Scotia and she wasn’t disappointed.

“We come here not knowing what to expect. There's not much snow,” she said, “but we’re having a good time.”

The sponsored boarder grew up next to Mt. Tremblant and said the secret to her success is simple. “It doesn’t hurt to have natural talent. But there’s no real secret; you just have to get on the hill as often as you can.” Dubois placed first in the advanced category.

Gizela Begin of Falmouth competed in the intermediate category for the first time Saturday and despite a few tumbles, she fared well and kept a positive attitude.

“This is the first time for me,” she said. “It’s really good to see all the girls out having a chance to compete when everyone is a beginner.”