Professional snowboarders careening down a trick course in the middle of downtown Kansas City? The Midwest Scion Open sounded like a worthy spectacle that would pack the Power & Light District with curious spectators and extreme sports fans. Alas, it wasn't just the snow that melted to muddy slush on Saturday. The spectacle fizzled, too.
The DJ was spinning and the fluorescent lights were flashing as dozens of amateurs in green jerseys and professionals in lumberjack chic took their turns on a man-made slope tricked out with metal rails and plastic descents. The spring-like weather clearly put a crimp in their game. At the top, competitors used their boards to wack the ice into some semblance of a jump. At the bottom, guys with shovels tried to sweep enough slush together to give the illusion of snow.
The crowd lining the balconies and scattered along the sides didn't seem all that impressed with the short, generally unspectacular descents. For the most part, competitors slid half-way down the rail and then, if they were lucky, careered into the plywood at the front of the stage. The less fortunate went ass or face first into the dirty slush. Even the judges seemed to be paying scant attention to the competition, even when the ranks were down to the final 16.
One resilient young lady did provoke some excitement from the crowd. The only woman standing in the round of eight, Mary (above) kept competing even after she face-planted so hard her nose was visibly bleeding. The loudest noise from the spectators came when the banged-up competitor amped up so much momentum on one descent that she skipped over the plywood barrier and crashed into one of the judges tables.
By the time Mary drew applause, KC Live was filling up with the typical Saturday night partiers. But, apparently, if you're a white kid who can shred it on a snowboard, the dress code doesn't apply to you. Just about everybody in the crowd was sporting a beanie, skullcap or excessively baggy clothing.
I asked Jon Stephens, spokesman for the Power & Light District, if that concerned Cordish, "That is a common confusion," he said in an email. "The dress code is only enforced when the KC Live is 21+." Hmm, I guess all the folks in dress-code-violating gear escaped the attention of the bouncers who checked my ID.
| - photos by Nicole Reinertson |
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wow, this is why kc will never be taken serious. these people try to bring something new and creative to this town and despite the weather made it happen. thanks carolyn for reminding us that event when the impossible is pulled off having a snowboard event in 70 degree weather people like you are still not impressed. The cordish group obviously is trying to reach out to a new group of people since people like you have given them so much crap about not letting certain people in. i would pay money to see you put on something live besides a blog! move away from kc and go somewhere where dullness and new ideas dont happen.
Sorry, not Nicole, because clearly Carolyn wrote this. Wish there was an edit comment button!
Sorry you didn't enjoy it, Nicole. It was a different kind of event for the P&L, and certainly attracted an audience that doesn't normally frequent the district. The weather didn't cooperate, unfortunately, but that's Kansas City for you. The local snowboarding community seemed to appreciate the chance to showcase their skills in a different setting, 70 degree heat or not.
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