All photos courtesy SSWSC.

 

 

Here’s everything from Matti Hill | Big Mountain Lead Coach for Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

This past week, athletes from the SSWSC Freeskiing program attended an IFSA National Event in Aspen Highlands. (International Freeskiers & Snowboarders Association) The comp took place on Whip’s Veneration and Filip’s Leap up in the Highlands Bowl. It had large drops, steep pitches and very challenging conditions which made for an exciting three days of competition.

Wednesday was the qualifier for 12 to 14-year-old male and female skiers. SSWSC’s own Ellie Reynolds laid down a line full of drops, high speed turns and styled out airs to qualify in first place. Isabella Cerasoli, one of the few telemark skiers in the event followed suit with a strong line including a nice air at the top of the venue to qualify in 13th place. On the male side, Darian Squires stunned the crowd with some technical skiing at the top of the venue followed by a huge air near the bottom to qualify at 3rd.

The next day was 15 to 18-year-old male and female skiers. SSWSC athlete Sal Malone, the only tele skier in his field, started his run with a large 360 followed by beautiful air over some small trees to qualify in 17th position out of a field of 56.

Friday was finals for all age divisions. The venue had gotten some early morning sun and conditions were ideal for an awesome competition. Izzy Cerasoli dropped into a technical line but was unable to hold an edge through a rocky section of the course. She finished the event at 15th overall. Ellie Reynolds dropped last in the field and again wowed the crowd and judges with a high speed clean line full of technical features and solid air time. Matching her result from qualifiers, Ellie climbed the top step of the podium to win the 12-14 Female Ski division.

Darian Squires dropped in from the start and immediately off of a cliff to begin his run. He followed this with one of the biggest airs in his age group. Some high speed turns and smaller airs closed out his run and brought him to an overall finish in 4th place.

Eagerly anticipated by the crowd as the only male tele skier, Sal Malone began his run with a huge mute grab 360. While coming out of a large downhill drop Sal let the hill get the better of him and washed out a turn. Sal ended the day and event in 18th place.

SSWSC also had Wiley Wagner (48th, 15-18 Ski Male), Gavin Devereux (33rd, 12-14 Ski Male), Finn Manning (36th, 12-14 Ski Male) and Mary McLarnon (22nd, 12-14 Ski Female) competing at the event. While these athletes did not qualify for finals they all put down some amazing moves on the venue. Wiley Wagner arguably had the biggest air of the whole competition but was unable to bring the run to the finish line.