The London Ride 2004 in association with Oakley proved to be an awesome event for its premier at the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard show in Kensington Olympia, London. The addition of the London Ride to the Ride series of Events brought the Freeski Comp to a slightly 'different from the norm' location! The already established and well known event the Verbier Ride (www.verbierride.com) has a profile within the freeski community which aided in getting some of the top athletes over to London to compete in the London Event. Last summer saw the first ever summer Ride Event with The Saas-Fee Ride (www.saasfeeride.com) on the glacier of Saas-Fee. Once again adding to the varied locations for the Ride Series of Events.

There were practice and jam sessions on the Big Air and the Rails throughout the show, however the official compitition of the London Ride took part on Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of October in the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Show.

10 of the Top International Riders came over to the UK for the London Ride, and 10 of the UK's best came for a friendly comp. The atmosphere was awsome and the vibe between the athletes was energetic and fun.

The Big Air was big! It was the first time on artificial slopes and snow for many of the riders, particularly the European Riders who are lucky enough to live in the Alps. The landing was short for the speed and standard of tricks performed in the air therefore precision was required!

The youngest to compete was 12 year old Murray Buchan who gave the 'old' guys a run for their money with a 360 Nose Grab and a 720 Safety, coming a good 8th in the final results.

	From Team Dynastar, FIS World Cup Half Pipe Champion Matthias Wecxsteen (France) came 1st in the International category with a Cork 9 with a tail grab and a clean Switch Cork 5 in the final.

Taking Second Place within the Internationals was Dynastar team rider JL Ratchel (France) pulling off perfect Cork 7 with Tail Grab.

Dynastar Team Rider, sponsored by Oakley, Laurent Thevenet (France) came 3rd Place with a smooth Cork 5 Reverse Mute, and a Cork 5 Under Flip.

With the Best of the UK Riders, again the comp was difficult to judge as the standard was so high from everyone. It was tight between Mike Wakefield and Andy Bennett, but Oakley rider Mikey took 1st place of the British with a D Spin 7, and a Big Cork 9.

Andy Bennett never fails to please! Throwing out a Cork 720 and a 720 safety he delighted the crowd.

Thanks to 'Vince the Mouth' for his Human Beat Box Performance which added to the flavour of the event. Thanks also to Pat Sharples for his part as the London Ride MC.

The judges Tom Last, Dave Young and event Organiser Warren Smith had a tough task on their hands. It wasn't an easy job! Thanks to them.

Thanks to Oakley for Supporting the London Ride and the Concept of the Urban Rail Slide, and of course, all the Riders who made it an awsemome comp!

For Video Clips from Saas-Fee Ride 2004, click here