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Crabtree on Podium at Snowbird Freeskiing Competition

J Dogg — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:55:53 -0400

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Whistler shredder and Doglotion favourite Brett Crabtree has earned another podium for the season. Not on top like Crested Butte, but hey, he had to give someone else a chance. Here's what went down at Snowbird...

After an extraordinarily exciting day of skiing, Jaclyn Passo of Squaw Valley, CA, wins the women’s title and Dylan Crossman takes first in the stacked international men’s division, as the 11th Annual Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals concluded today on North Baldy at Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah.

The women’s field represented one of the deepest talent pools in Subaru U.S. Freeskiing National’s 11-year history. Sitting in seventh place going into the super final rounds this afternoon, Jaclyn Passo of Squaw Valley, California, had nearly four points to make up in order to reach the podium. Judges rewarded Passo for sending it off the same big double-stager that many of the men looked to as an exit out of the amphitheatre, catapulting her into first place with a total score of 104.44. Crystal Wright of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, moved from fifth to finish second overall with 103.13 points, and last year’s winner Jess McMillan of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, rounded out the podium with 115.13 points.

“I got so close to a win at Squaw after leading the first day, but I went for too big off a jump on day two,” said women’s winner Jaclyn Passo. “At Crested Butte, the same scenario unfolded, so it’s pretty sweet to finally see this come together. I wasn’t planning on going to Alyeska, Alaska, for the tour finals, but now I may have to.” said Passo.

The men’s super final rounds were simply incredible today as less than 12 points separated all 18 competitors who advanced. Current Freeskiing World Tour points leader Brett Crabtree of Whistler, B.C., tightened the grip on his points lead, pioneering a new line and dropping a cliff which no other competitor attempted, placing third overall with 115.13 points. With less than a point separating Kevin O’Meara of Squaw Valley, California, from first position, the title seemed like it could be his for the taking. O’Meara’s smooth spread eagle off Blonde Rock and technical double drop near the finish appeared to be enough to take the lead, but there was still one man left at the start line. Although he was on alpine gear, the five-time telemark champion of the Crested Butte Extremes, Dylan Crossman, had an incredible and hesitation-free super final run, which earned him the second highest scoring run of the competition. Combined with the highest scoring run of the day, which also went to Crossman earlier today, Crossman solidified his victory with123.28 total points. Kevin O’Meara finished second with119.50 points.

“I knew I had to pull out all the stops, there was nothing to lose in the super finals, so I just went for it,” said the 2008 Subaru US Freeskiing Nationals men’s champion Dylan Crossman.

As always, spectators enjoyed watching freeskiing’s elite battle it out for the Tobias Lee Memorial Sickbird buckle award. The Sickbird award is presented to the competitor with the most spirited competition run, often involving super-human talent and agility. This week’s Sickbird buckle was awarded to Jaclyn Passo, whose aggressive super final run earned this huge honor, which has rarely been won by a female competitor.

The North Face Young Gun Award returns in 2008, honoring outstanding new talent in competitive freeskiing. Points accumulated throughout the season will crown one deserving under-21-year-old a full sponsorship from The North Face and the honor of becoming the next Young Gun winner. This stop’s winner was 18-year-old Brayden Brassey of Park City, Utah, who finished 5th overall.

The Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series and Freeskiing World Tour wraps up at The Subaru Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska, AK, April 9-13, 2008. Past tour stops include the Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open, the Subaru Squaw Valley U.S.A Freeskiing Open, the Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open, the Subaru US Extreme Freeskiing Championships at Crested Butte, CO.

MSI presented a live webcast of the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals from Snowbird, both Friday and Saturday. Be sure to visit the newly redesigned and recently launched www.usfreeskiing.com, which features state of the art video and photo player technology. The daily uploads of video, photos, news and results of each day’s competition action will be available after each day concludes.

View FINAL RESULTS>>>

For more information log onto www.usfreeskiing.com

Day 1 of Snowbird - And The Leaders are...

J Dogg — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 11:48:01 -0500

Rating

The 10th Annual Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, the largest freeskiing competition on North American soil, kicked off yesterday under gorgeous, sunny skies on the Silver Fox area of Snowbird Ski Resort. After receiving over four feet of snow prior to the contest, conditions were ripe for competitors to put on an amazing show for the huge crowd which gathered at the base of the venue.

The international field of athletes wowed spectators but it was Jane Somerville of Crested Butte, CO, who took the women’s lead today and Aurelien Ducroz of Chamonix, France, who leads the men’s competition.

As always freeskiing’s elite battled it out for the Tobias Lee Sickbird buckle award. The Sickbird award is presented to the competitor with the most spirited competition run, often involving super-human talent and agility.

The stacked men’s division, which featured freeskiing legends from around the globe, was incredible to watch today and scores reflect just how tight this field of competitors really is. Only 7.8 points separates all 34 men who will advance to tomorrow’s finals. The second competitor of the day, John Witherspoon of Jay Peak, came out of the gate charging this morning, kicking off his run with a huge 40-foot cliff-drop off “tower rock” and continued to ski fast and aggressive launching him into sixth place on the day. Tyson Bolduc of Vail skied a smooth, fluid line with rock exposure landing him in fifth overall. Drew Tabke, the flyin' Hawaiian, pioneered a completely original line which he skied with conviction and included a 60-foot air and a huge 360 over a wind-lip at the bottom of the venue. He was also awarded a Sickbird nomination for his efforts and tied for third with reigning Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals champion Nick Greener. Defending World Tour champion Guerlin Chicherit skied with a broken bone in his neck today and still managed to advance to tomorrow’s finals in 11th place.

“My run went pretty well,” said today’s third place finisher Drew Tabke. “I tried to take the weirdest, most interesting line possible and find the freshest snow on the far side of the venue. It worked out really well.”

The top two spots of the day went to Frenchmen Jean Michel Gouadain sand Aurelien Ducroz. Goudain’s run included a 40-foot air off “tower rock” at the top of the venue and another clean 30-foot air near the bottom. Ducroz, who started late in the field skied an incredible line, free of hesitation, which landed him both a Sickbird nomination and the top spot on the day. Current Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series point’s leader and winner of the first two events on the 2007 roster, Adrien Coirier also of France, had a disappointing crash today, knocking him out of the competition.

“I’m really happy with my run,” said today’s first place finisher Aurelien Ducroz. “I had a really late start number so I was nervous that the landings would all have big holes. I decided to go for it anyway and I landed the two biggest cliffs on the face perfectly. I’ve already found a line for tomorrow that has seven jumps. I just want to play with the cliffs and continue to ski with a big smile on my face like I did today. Not all competition days are fun, but today I had a great time.”

The defending Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series champion Carrie Jo Chernoff of Crested Butte skied a tough line through rock exposure which impressed the judges enough to land her in fifth place on the day. Jess McMillan of Jackson Hole skied a solid line which was popular with the men earning her both the first Sickbird nomination for the women’s field and fourth place going into tomorrow’s finals. Alaina Huestis and Amber Gale both of Snowbird skied fast, aggressive and fluid runs which landed them in third and second respectively. The second last competitor of the day Jane Somerville, who recently won the Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open, took command of the women’s field skiing fast through rock exposure and sticking her cliff drops which earned her top spot on the day. A total of 11 women will advance to the next round.

Skier Tyson Bolduc. MSI photo

“I was the bottom of the run list today, the 127th skier to go, so I definitely spent a lot of time thinking about, and trying not to over-process, my run,” said today’s first place finisher Jane Somerville. “So when it was finally time for me to jump out of the start gate, I went insane, left all that nervous energy at the top and just charged. Tomorrow I want to ski smooth and fluid, stay compact and ski fast.”

North Baldy will be the proving ground for contenders tomorrow. The women will run in reverse order from today’s results followed by the men in the same format. Two runs are planned for the finals if time allows.

New in 2007, MSI will be posting same-day video broadcasts on the newly redesigned usfreeskiing.com featuring state of the art video and photo player technology. The daily uploads of video, photos, news and results of each day’s competition action will be available mere hours after each day concludes.

The North Face Young Gun Award returns in 2007, honoring outstanding new talent in competitive freeskiing. Points accumulated throughout the season will crown one lucky under-21-year-old a full sponsorship from The North Face and the honor of becoming only the second Young Gun winner. This year’s front runner is Brady Smedsrud of Red Lodge, MT.

Additional Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series tour stops include the Subaru Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open at Jackson Hole, WY, the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships at Kirkwood, CA, and past tour stops the Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open at Telluride, CO, and the Subaru Squaw Valley U.S.A Freeskiing Open, at Squaw Valley U.S.A, CA.

More at www.usfreeskiing.com

Click here for RESULTS

US Freeskiing Nationals '04

J Dogg — Fri, 4 Aug 2006 14:15:30 -0400

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Doglotion's video from the 2004 US Freeskiing Nationals.

US Freeskiing Nationals '05

J Dogg — Wed, 2 Aug 2006 11:09:59 -0400

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Footage from the 2005 US Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird, Utah.

Snowbird 2006 Coming Up

J Dogg — Tue, 1 Aug 2006 02:10:35 -0400

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The Freeskiing World Tour is here once again... who's ready for Snowbird? The Subaru U.S. Freeskiing and Skiercross Nationals will return to Snowbird, UT, February 1-5, 2006, to kick off the Freeskiing World Tour, the Subaru U.S. Skiercross Series, and the inaugural Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series.

Now in its ninth year, the U.S. Freeskiing Nationals is the oldest event on the tours and has achieved legendary status for its level of competition, spectator draw, and rowdy Aerial Tram after-parties. Athlete enthusiasm continues to grow with registration for the big mountain qualifier reaching capacity in just ten days. With over a hundred of the world's top skiers competing for a $20,000 overall prize purse, the U.S. Freeskiing Nationals are not to be missed.

Last year witnessed the triumphant return of skiing great Brant Moles after years of injury, as well as the crowning of Snowbird local Ben Wheeler as U.S. Freeskiing Nationals champion. They will be up against three-time World Freeskiing Champion Manu Gaidet, who returns in pursuit of an unprecedented fourth-consecutive World Title. Kit DesLauriers will also be back, gunning for her third World Title against past Snowbird winners Jamie Burge and Jessica Baker. Finally, the U.S. Skiercross Nationals will feature skiercross greats Christian Questad, Corley Howard, Brett Buckles, and Libby Bittner competing against two-time champions Eric Archer and Anik Demers.

Along with U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Skiercross Series title sponsor Subaru of America and host mountain Snowbird Ski Resort, strong support from tour partners The North Face, Amstel Light, Sportsinsurance.com, POWDER Magazine, and Nordica have allowed for a $2,500 prize purse increase for 2006, as well as expanded coverage of the competition. New for 2006, MSI is excited to present online, video-on-demand footage of all events, which will be uploaded daily to www.usfreeskiing.com and www.skiercross.com. In addition, MSI has secured television coverage on OLN and Rush HD for the event.

For more information, check www.usfreesking.com

US Freeskiing Nationals, 2006

J Dogg — Thu, 9 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Rating

Words & Photos by Holly Walker

Little Cottonwood Cayon, early morning. Earliest Snowbird tram, 5 male competitors and judges. Reminiscent of last year. Day 1's unfinished business rolling into Day 2 - due to weather. Silverfox was attacked by Aaron Hunt, Johnny Law, Jesse Bryan, Erich Kunz and Jason Bruce.

Not long after, the judges moved over to the bottom of North Baldy to kick-off Day 2 - Finals of the World Tour U.S. Freeskiing Championships. The women skied first, with Day 1 leaders and Snowbird locals, Alaina Huestis and Kelly Holland, taking unfortunate falls. Laura Ogden, Lynn Kennen, and Libby Bittner skied solid runs taking the top 3 podium spots consecutively.

Next came the men, picking up from the day before - the David's charged hard. Christian "Little C" Boucher from Whistler, BC at 110 pounds, skied fast and fluid with a huge double at the bottom to take the lead. The crowds went wild. Everyone including local Ben Wheeler was cheering for this unsponsored underdog. Local boy, 'Little Buddy' Nick Greener was not far behind. But Frenchmen Adrien Coirier and Guerlain Chicherit were throwing down the biggest - the lookers left air. Chicherit is back from a 2 year ski sabbatical. His rally car contract previously prohibited him from ski competitions, but he is back stronger than ever, ready to take on the tour.

Then there was the Super Finals. The sun had finally crested over North Baldy and the spectators were basking, drinking, bbquing, cheering and catching up with old friends. In the end the top men maintained there placement with Chicherit moving up in the ranks with an original far lookers left line. Then there was the final man. Christian Boucher, charging his line times two. The crowd was amped as he dropped into his final air before finish. Then POOF! Yard sale... skis, poles and gloves to boot. Head toe head toe head toe head toe head toe. It was a 'high quality' crash. Not even before he had time to hike for his skis, the crowds raced off to the Tram deck and the Nick Greener interviews began.

Next was the podiums. Top 4 men and women and double Sick Bird Awards. Christian Boucher for charging hard and with heart. Stacy Cash for throwing down bigger than any women in the amphitheatre.

I headed home. Time for a shower after days of couch surfing chez gracious Kelly Holland's house. We piled in cars and headed to the Bowling Alley for the after party. All you could consume pizza and beer along with freestyle rapping. An interesting mix especially with Joey Smallwood dominating the dance floor. But that was just the beginning, the after party raged late at 'The Hostel', a ski house inhabited by many local pros and rippers alike. The remainder of the night is too much to describe, but if you really want the low down, give Rachel Burkes a call.

Until next comp. Good night.

View FINAL RESULTS

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Author Holly Walker is sponsored by Dynastar/Look/Lange, Icebreaker, Smith, Giro, Gordini, www.SouthAmericaSki.com. She enjoys working on her goggle tan on the Snowbird tram deck while dreaming of exotic destinations.

Day of the Davids

J Dogg — Fri, 3 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500

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US FREESKIING NATIONALS AT SNOWBIRD: WORLD TOUR DAY #1
By Holly Walker

100 foot front flip to flat. A Goliath move but not rewarded. Today was the day of the Davids.

The clouds rolled in, the clouds rolled out. In between, Day 1 of the World Tour kicked off on Silverfox with the women. They charged hard and many fell. In the end three small statured women led the fleet: Snowbird locals Alaina Huestis and Kelly Holland, plus none other than Laura Ogden of Tacoma, Washington.

The men followed, with more clouds rolling in than out. Not 15 men deep did the flight show go off. Snowbird local Julian Carr, threw a 100 foot front flip and lost a shoe. His Goliath flip won the crowds but not the battle to Day 2. It was the clean runs of little guys Christian Boucher of Whistler, Nick Greener of Snowbird, Aurelien Ducroz of Chamonix and Olivier Meynet of Bellevaux that led the pack.

Then the clouds rolled in too deep. Six men were left on the battle field with no battle to fight. Tomorrow, Aaron Hunt, Johnny Law, Jesse Bryan, Erich Kunz and Jason Bruce will load the Bird's Tram at 8am to finish Day 1 and hopefully continue to Day 2.

Tomorrow the US Freeskiing Nationals will take place on North Baldy, so if you are in the Snowbird neighborhood, come check out how the final battle ends.

US Freeskiing Nationals - First Entry

J Dogg — Thu, 2 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Rating

By HOLLY WALKER

Skiercross

I left Whistler before the big storms hit. 40 cms in one day. I was doubtful, especially when Ryan, Mike and Elsa arrived to Salt Lake City with smiles, stories and pictures to back it up. But Snowbird had its own pounding, a little every day to keep the skiercross course workers busy.

On Wednesday, February 1st the "2006 Snowbird US Skiercross and Freeskiing Nationals" kicked-off with local Whistler boy Davie Barr taking 1st place in the skiercross.

View the RESULTS on the event website.

Big Mountain Qualifier

Thursday, February 2nd the road to Snowbird closed at 10am. Too much snow but the Qualifier for the US Freeskiing Nationals proceeded. Competitors who had made it to 'the Bird' before the road closure competed first on the newly decided Tower 3 venue. The venue changed from West Baldy due to poor visibility and competitors were lucky if they had the chance to inspect. Not long after the road opened at 11am did the rest of the athletes fill the parking lots, ready to throw down for the crowd and the judges.

This year's IFSA Head Judge Jim Jack headed the judging panel, consisting of Jeff Holden, Linda Peterson, Eric "The Rubberman" Schmitz, and Brant Moles. After the scores were added up, a big cut was made. The top 15 of 24 women and top 38 of 81 men were
selected to join the World Tour prequalified athletes in Friday's Day #1 of the US Freeskiing Nationals. Snowbird local's dominated, using their local knowledge of the terrain.

It continues to snow at Snowbird. Stay tuned for results and weather updates from today's Day 1 of the US Freeskiing Nationals, Stop #1 on the IFSA World Tour.

Qualifier Results

Female
1 Suzzane Graham 102 Snowbird USA 28
2 Alaina Huestis 78 Snowbird USA 23.8
3 Molly Baker 70 Alta/Snowbird USA 23.6
3 Grace Rich 84 Snowbird USA 23.6
5 Stacy Cash 107 Snowbird USA 22.4
6 Kira Kitchens 68 Snowbird USA 22
7 Annie Hutchins 14 Snowbird USA 20.8
7 Andria Huskinson 76 Alta USA 20.8
9 Emily Teague 17 Telluride USA 20.2
9 Phillipa Hunt 85 Crested Butte USA 20.2
9 Tamara Guttman 111 Telluride USA 20.2
12 Sarah Hornes 67 Whistler CAN 20
12 Nancy Elrod 74 Squaw USA 20
14 Sarah Light 97 Fernie CAN 19.4
15 Lindsey MacIntire 105 Alta USA 19
CUTOFF
16 Julie Conard 38 Snowbird USA 17.4
16 Megan Weider 52 Alta USA 17.4
16 Marcie Hahn 110 Snowbird USA 17.4
19 Zoe Jaboor 40 Mt Buller, Australia USA 16.8
20 Jamie Britt 20 Snowmass USA 14.8
21 Martha Burley 99 AUS 10.8
22 Nicole Roberson 39 Mammoth Mountain USA 10.4
23 Alexis Bennett 36 Vail USA DNF
24 Vicky Bogner 12 Aspen USA DNF

Male
1 Kevin O'Meara 69 Squaw Valley USA 31
2 Tres Zaglool 81 AltaBird USA 30.2
3 Griffin Post 27 Sun Valley USA 29.2
4 Tyson Bolduc 62 Vail USA 29
5 Jack Nelson 72 Snowbird/Park City USA 28.8
6 Adam Barker 33 Solitude USA 27.8
6 Nick Devore 61 USA 27.8
6 Steve Bedford 63 Alta/Snowbird USA 27.8
6 E.J. Poplawski 73 Alta USA 27.8
6 Chris Paulding 101 Park City USA 27.8
11 Tyler Knoles 109 Alta USA 27.6
12 Matthew Burton 46 Snowbird USA 27.4
12 Jesse Bryan 94 Snowbird USA 27.4
14 Brady Newton 28 Snowbird USA 27.2
14 Craig DiPietro 112 Alta USA 27.2
14 Erich Kunz 53 The Summit at Snoqualmie USA 27.2
17 Julian Carr 103 USA 27
18 Kyle Sul 45 Crested Butte USA 26.6
19 Jason Bruce 45 26.4
21 Kevin Tocke 15 USA 26.2
21 Monty Goldman 24 USA 26.2
23 Daryl Treadway 19 Whistler CAN 25.8
23 Dex Mills 65 Snowbird USA 25.8
23 Frank Fazzino 57 Mammoth USA 25.8
23 Mike Meza 115 Park City USA 25.8
27 Clint Butler 41 Ak Backcounrty USA 25.6
27 Carlo Travarelli 60 Snowbird USA 25.6
27 Jake Cohn 51 Telluride USA 25.6
30 Jake Rothfels 42 Snowbird USA 25.2
31 Justin Schenkel 54 Big Sky USA 25
31 Josh Sadaj 83 Moonlight Basin, MT USA 25
31 Daryn Edmunds 50 Snowbird / Alta USA 25
34 Rich Webb 22 Alta USA 24.8
35 Drew Stoecklein 80 Alta USA 24.6
36 Lloyd Tucker 23 Aspen/Snowmass USA 24.4
36 Erik Lundstrom 48 Sundsvall Sweden, 24.4
36 Eon Jarvis 95 Snowbird USA 24.4

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