The event has consistently grown and this weekend’s competition could be the best yet. With record numbers of professional freeskiers and amateurs registering to compete and great weather and the best course the event has had, there are high hopes for the weekend.
 

Created by professional freeskier and nine-time X Games Medalist Simon Dumont, the Dumont Cup is a New England-based, slopestyle event that takes place in Sunday River’s Rocking Chair terrain park. Skiers compete side-by-side with the professionals. In addition to Dumont himself, past professional competitors include Tom Wallisch, Gus Kenworthy, Peter Olenick, and Jossi Wells.

 

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved with this event,” says Dumont, a Bethel native. “When we started out, it was our goal to give New England amateur skiers a chance to get noticed and to help expand the audience for slopestyle skiing. Since that time, the Dumont Cup has received support from contestants around the World, been formally recognized by the AFP, and we’ve seen several winners go pro.  I’m proud of what this contest has achieved in such a short time.” 

In five years time, the Dumont Cup has seen its share of milestones. Though initially intended to be a regional event, competitors from all over the United States, throughout Canada and even Europe, regularly compete for a chance at the coveted Cup.

 

Former amateur athletes like Nick Goeper and Ken Gusworthy, now regulars on the pro circuit, took home the Dumont Cup in 2011 and 2012 respectively, providing them with a launching pad for their current high-profile professional careers.

 

To date, the Dumont Cup is the only slopestyle event to be awarded platinum status by the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP), putting it on par with the biggest slopestyle contests in the world.

 

Thursday’s schedule had skiers arriving for check-in and practice runs. Friday, there will be practice sessions in the morning. Competition begins at 10 a.m with another qualifying session at 1:30. The top 20 amateurs advance to Saturday.

 

On Saturday,  the semifinals, the top 40 skiers, 20 pro’s and 20 amateurs, compete at 10 a.m. Then the finals begin at 1:30 p.m.

Cash and prizes are up for grabs for first, second, and third-place finishers. Amateur skiers also have the opportunity to score some great prizes from Dumont Cup sponsors.

During the semifinals and final rounds, professional and amateur skiers compete head-to-head. Judges will determine the top three overall winners as well as a standout amateur from the two-day competition. The athlete with the highest point total will be awarded the Dumont Cup.

Official sponsors of Simon Dumont and the Dumont Cup are: Red Bull, Target, Oakley, Sunday River Resort, HEAD, Toyota, Giro, Rockwell, Empire Attire, and Kicker.