Humanity Hallows Issue 4 Out Now!
Pick up your copy on campus or read online.
Benjamin Francis Cassidy
Manchester’s Chill Factore, home to the UK’s longest real snow indoor ski-slope recently held a ‘Freestyle with the Stars Day’. This event was held to celebrate the beginning of the winter snow sports season, much like the beginning of the Premier League each May, only for those who are more into high-octane chill-thrills than football.
Ben Kilner, Olympic Snowboarder for team GB appeared on the day, having gained a name for himself following successes since the tender age of sixteen, which he repeatedly built on, until finally qualifying for the honour of representing his country in the Winter Olympics in 2010, in Vancouver, and again in Sochi in 2014.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Eight lucky competition winners got to spend time with Ben on the day, and learn from their idol, as they took on the freestyle park together, in a special, exclusive training session which Ben delivered. One person lucky enough to take part was beginner Anne-Marie, who accompanied her son there. She gave her view, commenting, “[Ben] was awesome and very patient with me, as a newbie. I was glad to be pushed out of my comfort zone and land some new tricks”.
Others who met Ben included up-and-coming youngsters in the sport. Amongst them were: Chill Factore English Slope-Style Champion, Lewis Hopkinson, (aged 10); The 2014 British Slopestyle Champion, Mia Brooks, (aged 11; and 2014 Chill Factore English Boardercross Champion, Nate Hopkinson (aged 13). All got the opportunity to hone their talents tactics alongside a real Olympian.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Despite his reputation and status in the sport, Ben, who is on track to qualify appear in the 2018 Winter Olympics, remained humble and showed his support for the importance of developing these youngsters. He commented, “It was to ride alongside others who share my passion for snowboarding. Being able to pass on my knowledge and advise boarders of various ability was a great way to get people excited for the upcoming 2016/2017 season.”
With such words of encouragement from someone like Ben, who has worked so hard to get where he is, perhaps it will be one of these youngsters who themselves go on to achieve great things in the future.
Featured image: Abbi Draper After an electrifying start to the weekend, with temperatures slowly climbing, many lather themselves in suncream, shed their band shirts and rise from their tents to trek towards the arena. Saturday has big things incoming for the humans of Bloodstock 2026. Some pace themselves for the day and hide from the early…
Featured image: Abbi Draper After a memorable Thursday opener, Bloodstock 2026 opens its gates once again onto the Hallowed Grounds of Catton Park, kicking off day two of its 25th-anniversary celebration of metal. As the sun rises on Catton Park, festivalgoers emerge from their tents to prepare for another day of mayhem. The morning brings…
Featured image: Steve Dempsey Bloodstock returned to Derby for its 25th anniversary this year, welcoming thousands of metal fans for an extended four-day celebration of the festival legacy and its place in the metal community. With a packed bill spanning a broad range of metal sub-genres, this is what Thursday had to offer. As the…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Sunday may signal the final day of Truck Festival 2026, but there’s still plenty to celebrate before the gates close for another year. From rising indie stars Keyside to the long-awaited return of Rizzle Kicks, festival favourites Circa Waves and headliners The Wombats, these are the performances that define…
Leave a reply