Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird

Snowbird Mountain Resort, March 11-14 2009

Back for its twelfth installment, the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals returned to Snowbird, Utah this month. This time of year always brings out the cream of the skiing crop as competitors from around the globe arrive to showcase their skills.  It also brings out the local hoard of partying spectators that gather at the finish lines to cheer on their favorite athletes, and of course, kick back refreshing PBR tall boys.   As the crowds grew, and the beer flowed like wine, the competitors were taking their final inspection laps on the venues.  Each time trying to find that perfect cliff drop or pillow line that would win the hearts of judges, fans, and, hopefully, sponsors.   This weekend also represented the second stop on the Freeskiing World Tour.  Starting on March 13, pre-qualified athletes from across the globe arrived to match talents with those athletes that qualified on March 11 and 12. To ensure a smooth and successful operation, the masters at Mountain Sports International (MSI) deployed their crafty team of ninjas to set up each day’s venue.  With things in place, the Wasatch shredders looked to defend their titles as champions and show the world that Utah is known for more than just its watered-down beer.

Over the years, conditions for the competition have been variable at best.  Last year’s event happened to fall just after a major storm and in the middle of an epic winter.  This year, while not quite so epic, still managed to attract a few feet of fresh snow a day or two before the comp.  With cliff bands still looming large, and most of the new snow chewed up by the previous day’s powder frenzy, the athletes were stoked and ready to huck themselves into oblivion.

As the sun peered over Gorilla Pass onto the crowd of frigid spectators below, the smooth reggae beats from MSI’s truck-sized speakers spread mellow vibes across the hills.  The list of athletes was exhaustingly long and the judges were ready to seal the fate of many a rider.  Each competitor’s run was evaluated on line choice, control, fluidity, technique and aggressiveness.

The cornucopia of carnage began on March 11 with the ladies’ qualifiers.  Local ripper Vanessa Aadland led things off with a smooth line through the upper reaches of West Baldy.  As she exited the final chute at mach 80, her foot caught a subtle traverse and she was pitched wildly into the air.  The ensuing rag-doll was one of the most heinous crashes I have ever witnessed.  Luckily, she had Snowbird’s finest to patch her up and whisk her down the mountain in a nifty red sled.  Even after seeing a worthy competitor falter, the rest of the field preceded to throw caution to the wind and lay down some of the sickest lines.  Snowbird’s own shop guru, Oakley White-Allen, came charging out of the gates and set the bar for the remaining riders with a massive straight air near the bottom.  Montana native turned Wasatch shredder, Wiley Miller, also had a sleek and aggressive line that culminated in a crowd-pleasing 360 mute grab.  Representing our South American pals, Chopo Diaz of Chile executed a flawless high-speed run that got him to the semi-finals on Friday.

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Comments on this article

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Rob Stevens

Rad article. I felt like I was there watching it, even though I am in Nebraska

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