This morning started early for a very nervous BeXx, today was the  Giro Big Air Championships. This involves throwing yourself off very large kickers (jumps) while trying to go as high as possible, styling out your choice of trick or spin and stomping the landing deep and riding away clean.

This was the first Big Air mountain event that BeXx had entered, so she headed up the mountain as early as possible to warm up and to have as much practice as possible. She decided to start on the smaller 'Swatch' kickers these are between 8 and 10 meters and would allow her to gain confidence in her planned tricks. This would also allow her to overcome the fear she was feeling from looking at the much larger competition kicker. Two of her rival competitors Ayla Thindlee and Natalie Silkstone, had already been coached for a whole week on the competition kickers before BeXx had arrived, so she also needed a boost to her confidence. Practice went very well and her confidence, style and amplitude grew with every run.

 Before to long it was time for the competiton to start. The weather was holding well although the wind was gusting at times, this was something BeXx had never had to deal with before as she usually only hits kickers indoors.

The first of the practice runs for qualification began, and as always BeXx was first up. We never could work out why this was always the case, but BeXx was always first down on every event. The problem with being first is that you have no way of checking where you need to drop in from and have to rely purely on your training. BeXx's first run was huge, she shot over the flat and went deep down into the landing, there was a loud gasp from the onlookers and she rode away clean. This was a great start and really gave her a massive boost to her confidence. practice carried on and each girl managed about four runs in all. BeXx took a couple of large spills as did her rivals but she was enjoying herself and really beginning to feel the kicker.

On the last practice run BeXx's rival and good friend Natalie Silkstone had a nasty fall landing on her back and rag dolling down the landing. She knoced herself out and was very dazed for a few minutes. The competition was stopped until Natalie had recovered enough to carry on. BeXx then had to go next with Natalie's accident fresh in her mind, she dropped in and went huge pulling a really solid Indie to nose grab and landed clean. On her second run she pulled a massive stylish tweaked out method, her amplitude was huge and she landed very deep and rode away clean.

BeXx was then shocked to find out that she had qualified through into the adult finals in second place overall. This meant that she would have to do another two runs in the finals.

Qualification results were as follows:

1. Aimee Fuller

2. Becky Menday

3. Sophie Addison

4. Katie Bundell

5. Rebecca Cullum

6. Jules Chappell

7. Ayla Thindlee 

BeXx had another two runs at the kicker in the final, unfortunately she  could not hold the landing on her first run after pulling a huge indie grab so it was all down to her final run. BeXx pulled a nicely styled and well held method landing clean and riding away, this was good enough to put her into 4th place overall in the adult category.

Final Adult category result:

1. Katie Blundell

2. Sophie Addison

3. Rebecca Cullum

4. Becky Menday

The medal and prize giving was very exciting with BeXx winning a Gold medal in her category and £160 of Giro vouchers.

BeXx with Masie Potter

Kids Category result

1. Becky Menday - Gold

2. Ayla Thindlee - Silver

3. Maisie Potter - Bronze

Ayla and BeXx

The Gold Medal