December 1, 2009 - Winnipeg, Manitoba Event Review

(Winnipeg, MB)  Nice guys finish last.  Yes, it has been said thousands of times, by thousands of people.  And for the most part, it might even be true.  But when you create an innovative new Snowcross series and include the best Freestyle riders in the world, anything can happen.  Fortunately for Billings, Montana rider Sam Rogers it happened in a big way at the Frontier Toyota/Headingley Sport Shop Fire and Ice Tour event on November 28, 2009.

To date, FSX stars Heath Frisby and Isaac Sherbine have dominated the 2009 Fire and Ice Tour.  The high-flying pair from Bellevue, Idaho has displayed a level of proficiency that has wowed the crowed in each and every market. 

Flying equally as high each and every night along the trail has been twenty-one year old rider Sam Rogers.  Yet, despite winning a silver medal at the 2008 Winter X Games, Rogers had yet to reach a Fire and Ice World Tour Final.  When Rogers entered the MTS Centre for practice on Friday afternoon, however, everyone could tell he had switched to a higher mental gear.  Sure, he was still the polite, gentlemanly Sam Rogers the world has learned to love.  But Rogers was here to win.  No doubt, Winnipeg fans were about to be in for a huge treat.

Round One of FSX competition saw Rogers tie with Heath Frisby for high score at 89 points.  Isaac Sherbine earned 88 points, while Ted Culbertson coaxed a score of 86 from the FSX judging panel.  Willie Elam rounded out Round One scoring with an 84-point effort.

Round Two saw Heath Frisby jump out to his familiar leader position, as he pulled off a huge Double Grab on route to a score of 91 points.  Isaac Sherbine soared to a score of 88, while Rogers and Culbertson tied at 87 points.  Elam scored 85 points to end Round Two.

The Team Competition was simply unbelievable.  Sam Rogers and Isaac Sherbine teamed up and earned a competition-winning score of 92 points.  Teammates Ted Culbertson and Heath Frisby managed 90 points in the Team Competition, despite a wild Kiss of Death from Culbertson.

The FSX Final paired Heath Frisby against Sam Rogers.  And based on experience, Rogers should have packed his bags and left before the first jump.  You see, Frisby is a three-time X-Games Gold Medalist and a two-time World Champion.

Fortunately, Sam Rogers is not a guy that is terribly impressed with history.  Rogers entered the FSX Final with an enthusiasm that should be bottled and sold.  The Polaris-mounted star soared throughout the MTS Centre and clearly was the star of the evening.  His competition-winning score of 92 points narrowly edged out Heath Frisby’s 90-point effort.  Many fans, however, thought the two-point gap should have been much, much greater.  Rogers was clearly the victor here tonight in the snowmobile capital of the world.

Following an incredible first quarter in Western Canada, the Fire and Ice Tour will now take a short breather as the staff plans for an even wilder 2010.  We would like to take this time to thank you, our incredible fans, for all your support.  From Prince George, British Columbia to Winnipeg, Manitoba, you have all been great!

We wish you all the very best of the season.  Whether you are an avid snowmobiler or an aspiring rock star, please be safe. 

We look forward to seeing you again in 2010.  Be sure to visit us again soon here at www.newrocklive.com

(Darren Pallen, Fire and Ice Announcer)