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Crabtree and Ashton Win Crested Butte Competition

J Dogg — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:16:26 -0500

Rating

Whistler ruled it in Crested Butte this week. Whistler shredders and Doglotion friends Brett Crabtree and Jen Ashton both won the competition! Yeeeeeehooooo. Nicely done guys, way to send it. Here is the update from MSI...

For only the fourth time in the 17-year history of the Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships (USEFC), Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) allowed competitors to take full advantage of the record-breaking snowfall. CBMR Pro Patrollers dropped the ropes on the (usually off limits) vertical, cliff-strewn ‘Big Hourglass’ venue to today’s finalists and super finalists.

Jen Ashton of Whistler, BC, showcased her classic powerhouse form through the finals and super finals to dominate the women’s field. This approach kept her on the top of the women’s podium with a final score of 93.00. Colby Adams of Breckenridge, CO, finished second with 89.00 points, and Hannah Whitney of Alta, UT rounded out the podium with 79.25 points.

“I was really nervous this morning,” Ashton reflected. “I tried to keep my focus on how fun this was going to be, not how daunting the course was…there are so many exposures on this venue, from huge rocks to tree roots, not to mention how outright steep it is. I just tried to put the demons out of my mind and focus on keeping it fun.”

With CBMR’s natural amphitheater at the base of the venue packed with roaring spectators, the men’s field got underway with finals action that included 30 of the best in the world putting it all on the line.

Coming into today’s finals in the hot seat, Dane Tudor of Red Mountain, BC, gave no slack on his lead, flawlessly skiing through a chain of waterfall leaps, before blowing the crowd away with a massive launch across ‘Gary’s Gap’, a terrain feature never before successfully landed in competition. Hot on his heels, the world class field of athletes pushed each other to the limit, skiing seemingly impossible lines with aggressiveness and style.

“This is just simply unbelievable skiing, there is no other way to put it,” exclaimed Eric “H” Baumm, USEFC Event Director. “The bar just keeps getting raised higher with these guys, and to have this much snow to work with just means they keep going bigger and better every run.”

The super finals kept everyone’s eyes glued skyward as the exclusive group of 10 final men’s competitors took center stage. Today’s undisputed Sick Bird Award winner, Kiffor Berg (Aspen, CO) sent a shockwave through the crowd in his Super Finals run, after lining up to an 80+ foot drop, smirking at his skis, and dropping in for the long flight, skiing away to the delight of every witness.

Ultimately, it was Brett Crabtree of Whistler, BC’s clean skiing and perfect landings which earned him one of the most coveted titles in freeskiing, taking the title with 112 points. Cliff Bennett of Snowbird, UT, claimed second place with 110.99 points, and Dane Tudor of Whistler, BC, finished third with 110.75 points

“I just kept it straight-up,” said Crabtree. “I wanted to stick my landings with no room for second-guessing. I felt so solid all day, just on it.”

The North Face Young Gun award, which rewards a single under 21-year-old competitor who shined throughout the competition, was awarded twice at the 2008 USEFC. The first went to Dane Tudor with the second going to Colby Adams, both only 18 years old, and both taking second place respectively.

Nancy Elrod of Squaw Valley, CA, took top honors in the women’s Masters category with 66.58 points, followed by Michelle Keener of Big Sky, MT, in second with 62.15, and Teri Siebert of Vail, CO, in third with 44.48 points. The men’s Masters was led by Scott Kennett of Telluride, CO, with 83.83 points, Marc Schllhorn of Crested Butte, CO, in second with 77.5, and Tim Naylor of Taos, NM, in third with 70.33 total points.

MSI will broadcast same-day video webcast starting at 7pm MST tonight on 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.

Final results>>>

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Squaw Valley US Freeskiing Open Results

J Dogg — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:50:18 -0500

Rating

Competitive big mountain freeskiers pushed the limits Friday at the Subaru Squaw Valley USA Freeskiing Open while crowds of sun-drenched spectators indulged in the top-shelf performance. Athletes took turns negotiating The Headwall’s ominous vertical playground of wind-buffed stashes, cliffs, and chimney-wide chutes for what became a tit-for-tat showdown that lasted through the entire day’s final rounds.

Elyse Saugstad of Alyeska, Alaska, won the women’s title with a total of 97.51 points, with Squaw Valley’s Allie Donovan taking second with 92.26 points, and Crested Butte, Colorado’s Tanya Christensen claiming third place with 89.14 points.

The men’s competition was an explosive line-up of powerhouse skiing, unexpected backflips, and plenty of crowd-pleasing air time as skiers sent themselves into flight over 80-foot rock faces.

Kirkwood, California’s Craig Garbiel claimed victory, sticking several extremely technical line choices and blowing the judges away with a series of perfectly executed multi-hit cliff drops, garnering 115.01 points. On his heels were Mt. Bachelor, Oregon’s Jesse Bryan with 110.76 points and Bryce Newcomb of Sun Valley, ID, who put in a hard-charging performance to earn third place, with 110.63 total points.

“Squaw Valley is always a great stop on the tour, the new talent just pours out of the woodwork here,” said Dak Williams, event MC and MSI’s Director of Winter Sports Group. “Today was an exceptional event, with everyone pushing each other to the max.”

The women’s Finals round started the day on a high note, as Squaw Valley’s big mountain female legend Jamie Burge unleashed her toolbox of skills, airplane-turning down the upper section, and sweeping into the corner pocket of JT’s face before perfectly negotiating a dodgy double-cliff drop line. Her impressive performance failed to intimidate her competitors, as one after another, the women ripped arcs down The Headwall’s face and cleared gaping elevator drops.

“It was pretty unnerving standing up at the top and seeing just how much everyone was going for it,” said event champion Saugstad, “As it came down to it, I just took a deep breath and did what I knew I was capable of. I wanted to ski an aggressive line, but to also ski smart. It worked out to stick to my game plan.”

Griffin Post, winner of last week’s Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open, laid it all on the line with unique, technical line choices and soaring airs in finals to win the coveted Tobias Lee Memorial Sick Bird Award.

“After I ran into some trouble with my first run, I had nothing to lose going into today,” explained Post. “Sitting in 13th spot, I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to climb back up the ladder, so I just put it all on the line.”

MSI will be post comprehensive same-day video coverage of the final rounds on 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.

STAY TUNED AS THE SUBARU U.S. FREESKIING SERIES TRAVELS TO CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO, NEXT WEEK FOR THE LONGEST RUNNING EXTREME FREESKIING CONTEST IN THE SPORT’S HISTORY.

DON’T MISS LIVE SAME-DAY COVERAGE OF THE FINAL ROUNDS ON WWW.USFREESKIING.COM

Kempainen, Cumming Win Freeskiing Open Superpipe

J Dogg — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 23:06:48 -0500

Rating

Finnish hero AJ Kempainen and American Jess Cumming went big and bold in the Superpipe finals today at the 11th Annual Suzuki US Freeskiing Open, taking home their first U.S. Freeskiing Open wins.

Kempainen scored a high 89.25 in his second run, starting off with a switch 720 into a rightside 9, going for double grab with corked out style. Taylor Seaton will take the second spot for his third run score of 87.75. Frenchman Xavier Bertoni slides into third for his score of 87.

Cumming won her spot atop the podium with a score of 80.5, landing a big 720 in the beginning of her run. Mirjam Jaeger takes second with her score of 78.25. Roz Groenwood nails third with a 76.

"In the past I got third, so it's pretty surreal to sit on top," Cumming said, of her win.

Although the guys slammed four to five high hits in each run, the girls' sizes and lack of speed helped them to fit in 12 or more jumps. A few straight airs, with a lot of 540s and 720s mixed in ruled their runs, with the best technical abilities moving the dominant girls on.

Kempainen was thrilled and surprised at his run, expecting to not place as high before coming to compete.

"I have been working for this for so many (months)," Kempainen said. "When I came here I expected (a lower standing) but I say let's do this."

Last night's Big Air winner, Colby West competed in the pipe, and was happy for Kempainen's successful run.

"It didn't go that well, but I am okay with it," West said. "Props to AJ and Go Pats."

A virtual no-name coming into the competition, 17-year-old Taylor Seaton pulled a large switch 7 octo to clinch his seed.

"I just decided to go for a 10 but I think the 7 with the octo grab will be it," Seaton said. "It's awesome. My skis are fast and it's just great."

Grey conditions and Super Bowl showings depleted the crowd early in the day, making competitors turn to each other to get amped. Cumming thanked a fellow skier for the advice she gave at the top for help with her run. Byron Wells enjoyed the support from his family at the bottom for a job well done. 14-year-old Wells knocked the ball out of the park in his first run, getting a 74.5. Wells still wants to compete against older brother Jossi (last night's second place finisher in Big Air) to really test his skills.

The Superpipe ends the eleventh annual U.S. Freeskiing Open at Copper Mountain. Make sure to check out all the details and slideshows at Skinet.com to see highlights from every event from the weekend.

See full RESULTS>>>

Colby West Wins US Freeskiing Open Big Air

J Dogg — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 22:41:10 -0500

Rating

American Colby West threw down the biggest air of the night with a Switch 1080 Stomp, clinching the championship title for Big Air.

X-Games Medalist Jossi Wells, of New Zealand, cheered his friend on from the second spot on the podium, pulling a flawless mute grab in his final run. Michael Clark placed third, Russ Henshaw, yesterday's slopestyle medalist, nails fourth.

New snow was falling throughout the night, making the jump slow and the air smaller, really bringing out the champions.

Big names Peter Olenick, Sammy Carlson, and Andreas Hatveit fell in the final eight, eliminating their chances to move on to the finals.

"It was really fun being in the air and twisting like that," West said after his first run. The crowd "felt the earth shake," according to announcer Luke Van Valin.

Other notable tricks throughout the night included a nearly perfect Switch 1080 from Charles Gagnier's little bro, Vincent, and a Kangaroo Flip in the second run from Bobby Brown, with a less than perfect landing.

As snowfall became one problem, fences turned into another. Thomas Doplads skied under the fence after an off landing, staying safe. On his second run in the final eight, Doplads ran into the fence again, taking a moment to get up. That second fall eliminated him from competition.

The U.S. Freeskiing Open continues tomorrow with Men's and Women's Superpipe in the morning. Check www.usfreeskiingopen.com for live streaming as well as up-to-the-minute results.

See the RESULTS>>>

JEEP US Freeskiing Open Wrap Up

J Dogg — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 13:03:55 -0500

Rating

The Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open, the largest and most respected contest in freeskiing, completed competition in Copper Mountain, Colorado earilier this week with the men’s and women’s Superpipe events, following Friday’s Slopestyle finals and Saturday’s Big Air contest. Tanner Hall of Park City, UT took first in men’s Superpipe, claiming the $7,000 prize, while Grete Eliassen of Holladay, UT placed first in the women’s division carrying a $2,500 prize. For complete results, photos and more please visit www.usfreeskiingopen.com or www.skinet.com.

“Copper Mountain had a lot of positive energy,” said Skiing magazine Editor Pieter van Noordennen. “This was a great way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Freeskiing Open.”

The largest cash prize of the contest, $10,000, went to Charles Gagnier for his first place finish in the nighttime Big Air invitational on Saturday. Jon Olsson of Sweden claimed $7,000 for his first place finish in the Slopestyle competition, and Anna Segal of Aspen, Colo. won $2,500 in the women’s Slopestyle event, both on Friday.

In its tenth year, the 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open featured more than 300 of freeskiing’s top and up and coming athletes competing for a $60,000 purse in three disciplines: Slopestyle, Superpipe, and Big Air.

Complete results for Superpipe at the 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open include:

Men’s

1. Tanner Hall, Park City, UT, $7,000

2. Matt Philipi, Breckenridge, CO, $4,000

3. Colby West, Canterbury, N.H., $2,000

4. Charles Gagnier, Quebec, Canada, $1,000

Women’s
1. Grete Eliassen, Holladay, UT, $2,500
2. Roz Groenwood, Calagay, Canada, $1,500
3. Angeli VanLaanen, Bellingham, WA, $1,000
4. Jess Cumming, Wiltion, CT, $500

Complete results for the nighttime Big Air invitational at the 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open include:

Men’s

1. Charles Gagnier, Quebec, Canada, $10,000

2. Jacob Wester, Sweden, $5,000

3. Sammy Carlson, Mt. Hood, Oregon, $1,500

4. T.J. Schiller, BC, Canada, $1,000

Complete results for Slopestyle at the 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open include:

Men’s

1. Jon Olsson, Sweden, $7,000

2. PK Hunder, Norway, $4,000

3. Andreas Hatveit, Norway, $2,000

4. Sean Decker, Mammoth Lakes, CA, $1,000

Women’s
1. Anna Segal, Aspen, CO., $2,500
2. Michelle Parker, Olympic Valley, CA, $1,500
3. Kristi Leskinen, Hopwood, PA, $1,000
4. Maiko Hara, Japan, $500

The 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open is produced by SKIING. Associate sponsors include: Salomon, Copper Mountain Resort, Xbox, Crocs, Vodka14, Corona and Corona Light.

Copper Hosts The Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open

J Dogg — Tue, 9 Jan 2007 22:25:39 -0500

Rating

The top names in freeskiing converge on Copper Mountain to compete for a total prize purse of $60,000.00 during the Jeep® U.S. Freeskiing Open Jan. 17-21. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Open is the largest, longest running and most respected contest in freeskiing and showcases the best twin-tipped talent in the world. In addition to the two-plank snow sliding action, Copper celebrates January in the mountains with free live music, warm bonfires, exciting fireworks, free outdoor movies, sponsor giveaways and more.

Over 300 athletes compete in three disciplines including: Slopestyle, Superpipe, and Big Air. Slopestyle events take place in Copper’s Catalyst Terrain Park January 17-19. Snow sliding spectators may access the Slopestyle venue by skiing or riding from the Highpoint or American Flyer Chairlifts to the Catalyst Terrain Park. Walking spectators may access the venue by purchasing a foot passenger lift ticket for $15, available at any ticket window, that allows upload access via the Highpoint Chairlift. They may then walk downhill, along the designated foot passenger lanes, to view the competition before proceeding to the base area on foot. Spectators not skiing or riding are encouraged to wear proper cold-weather clothing and boots with good traction.

The Superpipe and Big Air events take place in and just below the Main Vein Superpipe January 20-21. Both venues are near the base of the American Eagle Chairlift and Burning Stones Plaza and do not require mountain access as they can be viewed from anywhere in Copper’s Center Village. Spectators can also hike up the mountain along the special foot path designated by signage and blue ropes. The Big Air competition gets underway just after sundown on Saturday and continues throughout the early evening. Superpipe semifinals and finals complete the week’s events throughout Sunday.

Following the competitions on both Friday and Saturday are a number of options for spectators and guests to continue the fun at Copper. After the Slopestyle finals on Friday, guests can enjoy free live music with DJ Knucklz, a free outdoor screening of the director’s cut of Warren Miller's upcoming movie entitled “57” and sponsor giveaways on Copper’s West Lake. Saturday features a free performance with Boulder’s Rose Hill Drive as well as fireworks over the mountain. In addition, following both days events are a number of after parties throughout the Village at Copper.

Following is the 2007 U.S. Freeskiing Open Schedule of Events (subject to change):

Wednesday, Jan. 17

8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Men’s Slopestyle Practice & Qualifiers
Catalyst Terrain Park

Thursday, Jan. 18

8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Men’s & Women’s SS Practice & Semifinals
Catalyst Terrain Park

Friday, Jan. 19

8:00 a.m.- 4:15 p.m.
Men’s & Women’s SS Practice, Semis & Finals
Catalyst Terrain Park

4:30-4:45 p.m. Awards Burning Stones Plaza

4:30-7:00 p.m. West Lake Movies & Celebration
West Lake

-Screening of Warren Miller's '57'

-Live performance of DJ Knucklz

-Sponsor giveaways and more

10:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. After Parties throughout Copper

Saturday, Jan. 20

8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Men’s Superpipe Practice & Qualifiers
Main Vein Superpipe

3:45-9:00 p.m.
Big Air Practice, Qualifiers & Finals
Base of Main Vein

9:15 p.m.
Awards and live music with Rose Hill Drive

and fireworks Burning Stones Plaza

10:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
After Parties throughout Copper

Sunday, Jan. 21

8:30-10:30 a.m.
Women’s Superpipe Practice & Semifinals
Main Vein Superpipe

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Men’s Superpipe Practice & Semifinals
Main Vein Superpipe

1:30-3:30 p.m.
Men’s & Women’s Practice & Finals
Main Vein Superpipe

4:00 p.m. Awards Burning Stones Plaza

4:15 p.m. Athlete Autograph Session Jack’s

For more details, please visit www.coppercolorado.com or www.usfreeskiingopen.com.

Doglotion.com - Freeskiing Community - US freeskiing open

Crabtree and Ashton Win Crested Butte Competition

Squaw Valley US Freeskiing Open Results

Kempainen, Cumming Win Freeskiing Open Superpipe

Colby West Wins US Freeskiing Open Big Air

JEEP US Freeskiing Open Wrap Up

Men’s

Women’s1. Grete Eliassen, Holladay, UT, $2,5002. Roz Groenwood, Calagay, Canada, $1,5003. Angeli VanLaanen, Bellingham, WA, $1,0004. Jess Cumming, Wiltion, CT, $500

Men’s

Men’s

Women’s1. Anna Segal, Aspen, CO., $2,5002. Michelle Parker, Olympic Valley, CA, $1,5003. Kristi Leskinen, Hopwood, PA, $1,0004. Maiko Hara, Japan, $500

Copper Hosts The Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open

Women’s
1. Grete Eliassen, Holladay, UT, $2,500
2. Roz Groenwood, Calagay, Canada, $1,500
3. Angeli VanLaanen, Bellingham, WA, $1,000
4. Jess Cumming, Wiltion, CT, $500

Women’s
1. Anna Segal, Aspen, CO., $2,500
2. Michelle Parker, Olympic Valley, CA, $1,500
3. Kristi Leskinen, Hopwood, PA, $1,000
4. Maiko Hara, Japan, $500