MNSS SNOWBOARDERS MARK MCMORRIS AND TORSTEIN MEDAL IN BIG AIR AND SLOPESTYLE AT WINTER X GAMES 16

The Sports Syndicate’s Mark McMorris and Torstein Horgmo each brought home medals from Winter X Games 16 in Aspen. In the Snowboard Big Air competition on Friday night it was all about landing the super technical triple cork. Both Mark and Torstein landed the triple cork 1440 to the amazement of the crowd, judges and television viewers. McMorris’ triple secured 49 out of 50 possible points from the judges. His score on his first run for a frontside double cork mute 1080 earned him the Gold. Horgmo nailed the backside triple 1440 on his third and final run to nab Silver. Saturday was the slopestyle finals and McMorris was on his “A” game again throwing down a near flawless second run, giving him a 93.33, which held up through the final run to gain him his 2nd Gold of weekend. His winning run consisted of a frontside 180 onto a cargo container, Cab 270 into the wallride, and a frontside bluntside to 450 out in the technical rail section, then making his way into the four-hit jump line with a Cab double cork 900, a frontside double cork 1080, a double “wildcat” backflip, and a backside 1260. Be on the lookout for Mark and Torstein at the final Winter Dew Tour Stop at Snowbasin, Utah February 9-12. To watch video of Mark and Torstein's runs click to visit www.expn.com.

MNSS SNOWBOARDERS MARK MCMORRIS AND TORSTEIN HORGMO WIN AT TRANSWORLD SNOWBOARDING RIDERS POLL AWARDS

The Sports Syndicate’s Torstein Horgmo and Mark McMorris took home awards at this year’s Transworld Snow Riders’ Poll Awards. For the second year in a row, Torstein took home the Men’s Reader’s Choice Award, the only award of the ceremony that is decided by the readers of Transworld Snow. Torstein’s continued viral success with his website, Torstein.net clearly delivers the content snowboard fans around the world are looking for. Mark McMorris’ breakout season in 2011, where he landed the first backside 1440 triple cork, brought home silver at Winter X Games in slopestyle and second overall at the Winter Dew Tour in slopestyle, secured him the Men’s Rookie of the Year Award. For more information about the TWS Riders Poll Awards click to visit snowboarding.transworld.net.

MNSS SUPERCROSS RACERS JAKE WEIMER AND RYAN VILLOPOTO EARN PODIUM FINISHES FOR 2ND & 3RD PLACE RESPECTIVELY AT THE PHOENIX SX IN ARIZONA.

The Sport Syndicates’s Jake Weimer had the ride of his life in Phoenix, winning his heat race and scoring his first ever supercross class podium. In his heat race, he got a great jump off the start and quickly moved into the lead. He held onto the lead until the checkered flag to earn his first-ever supercross class heat win. In the main event he got a great start and quickly moved into second. He laid down 20 smooth and fast laps. His impressive performance also netted the first supercross main event podium of his career. “Tonight felt awesome,” said Weimer. “It’s been a long time since I stood on the podium. I have been working so hard to get up there, it feels so good to have it finally pay off." The Sport Syndicates’s Ryan Villopoto got a mid-pack start in the main event and was setting up a pass when another rider went down right in front of him, causing him to crash. When he picked up his bike he was sitting in 18th place, with 19 laps to go. He charged through the field on a mission. On the final lap, Villopoto did the seemingly impossible, and made the push past third in the final few turns of the race to secure a spot on the podium. “It was a tough night,” said Villopoto. “I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Milsaps went down in the sand right in front of me and I got tangled up with him. I’m looking forward to getting back to Dodger Stadium where I won last year.” On January 21st the SX series heads to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, for Round 3.

MNSS SUPERCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO KICKS OFF THE 2012 SUPERCROSS SEASON ON THE PODIUM IN FIRST PLACE

Explosions and fireworks marked the start of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season in front of a sold out Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. The Sports Syndicate’s Ryan Villopoto started the new season right where he left in 2011, on top of the podium. The 2012 supercross class is one of the most highly competitive fields the sport has ever seen. Villopoto made it seem almost effortless as he led every lap of the 20-lap main event building a lead as high as 20 seconds over the competition. “I’m really happy with tonight,” said Villopoto. “We’re right where we need to be with my KX450F and fitness, and we will just keep pushing into next week. The track was pretty tough and awkward,” said Villopoto. “There are a lot of rounds left, so we will just keep doing what were doing and stay consistent.” Ryan will race the next round of the AMA Supercross series on January 14th in Phoenix, AZ.

MNSS SNOWBOARDER MARK MCMORRIS WINS THE O'NEILL EVOLUTION BIG AIR CONTEST IN DAVOS, SWITZERLAND

Mother Nature is certainly having fun with us this year, isn't she? Winter finally arrived, right in time for the Big Air portion of the O'Neill Evolution TTR 6Star event. Fresh powder wreaked havoc on the early qualification rounds, forcing the men to compete in slow, snowy conditions. The best of the best persevered, however, and in the end Mark McMorris came out on top with a backside double cork 1260 mute into a gap switch hard way to 270 out on the down-flat-down rail, taking first place with a score of 95.60. Congrats to McMorris for his first win of the 2012 season. To watch video of Mark's winning run click to visit www.expn.com.