Some of the best freeride mountain bikers in North America jumped, flipped and whipped through the air at today’s slopestyle competition at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail. But only one, Canadian Garrett Robertson, was willing to try an open loop, and the trick earned him first place, a $4,000 cash prize and an invitation to compete in Germany against the world’s best.

In the final heat of five riders, Robertson, of Peachland, British Columbia, nailed the open loop feature, which combined a wooden launch ramp with dirt ramp landing. That trick, combined with a series of tailwhips on the other jumps in the course, was good enough for first place. Josh Hult of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Paul Genovese of Fernie, British Colombia, finished in second and third place respectively.

Today’s win at the GoPro Mountain Games means that Robertson receives a wildcard invitation to compete at the biggest freeride event in the world, the Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg, Germany, on September 6, 2014.

Earlier in the day, the Eukanuba Rocky Dog presented by GNC Pets, saw Smokey Burgess and his rocky dog Manni of Leadville, Colo. finish the 5K course in a time of 19:15.80 to take home first place. Jeremy Abel and his canine partner Wrigley of Denver, Colo. placed second with a time of 22:51.90. Finishing the course 23:58.40 were Michael Neustedter and his dog Kona who landed in third.

For results from today’s GoPro Slopestyle, please click here. For Rocky Dog 5K results, please visit this link. For more info on the weekend’s upcoming events, please visit the GoProMountainGames.com. For additional image and video assets, click here.

Image courtesy Logan Robertson - GoPro Mountain Games / Vail Valley Foundation