Crystal Mountain, WA –Stop number one of the 2012 Junior Freeskiing World Tour concluded under sunny, clear conditions on Sunday at Washington’s Crystal Mountain ski resort. After two difficult days of winter weather and dense fog, the competitors were able to successfully complete their final runs down the steep, technical terrain of Northway Bowl.
Delayed on Saturday due to visibility, the 15- to 18 year-old gals and guys started the day and their first runs of the competition on Sunday.
Once the older athletes completed their first runs, the 12-14 year-old athletes were unleashed upon the Northway Bowl venue to make their second, and final run of the competition. Former recipient of the Tecnica/Blizzard “Free Mountain Award” and Alta/Bird Freeride’s own Jacqueline Pollard from Utah took the victory, skiing a fast, aggressive, controlled line to earn a total score of 62.60. Defending 2011 overall Junior Freeskiing Tour Champion, Jess Sterrett placed second overall, scoring a 60.33. In third place was MacKenzie Flood of Red Mountain in Rossland, British Columbia, Canada with a two-run total of 59.87.
The 12- to 14-year-old guys dropped in next onto Northway Bowl for their final runs, displaying to all the older competitors that they have freeskiing skills far beyond their ages. Kirkwood, Calif.’s Jonathan Reuter skied a fluid, fast, confident line to walk away with the victory, earning an impressive overall score of 73.93. In second place was Squaw Valley, Calif.’s Chase Whitney, skiing a playful, smooth top-to-bottom run with a near flawless flat spin 360 into the finish earning him a 68.70. Blake Lawton of Sugar Bowl in Norden, Calif., closed out the podium in third place with a total score of 67.20.
“The 12-to 14-year-old guys skied outstandingly well and smart, considering the variable hard-pack snow conditions today on Northway. They approached the venue wisely and showed that they know how to complete at a world-class level due to their decisions and polished skiing technique. The juniors truly are the future of big mountain freeskiing,” said event commentator, Max Kuszaj.
Once the cut was made, eight advancing 15 to 18-year-old gals made their way back up to the top of Northway for their second and final run. Squaw Valley, Calif.’s Elizabeth Elmgren walked away with the victory by skiing an aggressive fall line run through the “Hallway” to earn a two-run total of 68.13. In second place was Sally Steeves of Red Mountain, scoring a 67.60 with her consistent, fluid skiing. First run leader Perry Martin of Alta/Bird Freeride rounded out the podium in third place with her fast GS turns directly in the fall line giving her a cumulative score of 67.23.
Narrowing down the field of guys ages 15 to 18 to a limit of 15 athletes for the finals, Christian Nichols of Vail, Colo. placed himself on the top of the podium with his fluid, controlled fall line approach to the Northway venue, scoring a total of 83.07. After successfully landing the biggest cliff air of the day off the ‘Diving Board,” defending champion George Rodney occupied the second podium spot with a two-run score of 83.03. Alta, Utah’s Casey Rose rounded out the podium in third place after an aggressive and technical top-to-bottom run scored an 82.23.
The Tecnica/Blizzard Free Mountain Award, which rewards the athlete who displays the best on-hill/off-hill leadership and a sportsmanlike attitude, was presented to Squaw Valley’s Chase Whitney. Whitney will receive a pair of Blizzard skis and a pair of Tecnica boots and is now in the running for a full sponsorship for the 2013 season.
The 2012 Junior Freeskiing Tour continues this at Squaw Valley in California.