Alicia Wallace
Rossland News
Some of North America’s best junior freeskiers have descended upon Granite Mountain at Red Mountain Resort (RMR) this week from Jan. 21 – 24 for the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championships presented by Sony Action Cam.
Link’s Line and Papoose Bowl seen right from the Motherlode chair lift is the venue for this week’s competition. As RMR’s events and marketing manager, Nicole Briggs explains this course provides athletes with some great black diamond terrain to cliff drop, rock hop and mouth flop spectators — who will have optimal visibility of competitors from these lines.
“Link’s line at RED is in the upper echelon of freeride venues. Link’s has a sustained fall line riddled with technical features and a solid vertical drop. Link’s is an ideal venue located directly under the lift, making access easy for competitor, infrastructure and awesome viewing for spectators,” described Briggs.
The event is popular on the free skiing competition circuit with only 20 registration places available as of late last week. Registration is expected to reach capacity prior to the commencement of the event however if any space is available walk up registration is accepted.
This competition at RMR is an International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) national tour stop. Competitors in the age categories of under 12, 12-14 and 15-18 will battle it out for some great prizes including skis, helmets and ski apparel. Qualifying events commence Thursday and continue throughout the day on Friday. All three age categories have their finals on Saturday.
Athletes will collect points throughout the winter season at the IFSA events. Highly ranked athletes will have an opportunity to compete in the Junior World Championships in Grandvalira Andorra this February.
The Canadian open Freeskiing Championships at RMR is the longest standing junior Canadian event in North America. “RED has supported junior freeriding from the beginning taking the event seriously, treating the athletes well and it shows. Everybody knows this event is special,” said Briggs.
Spectators should watch for Rossland’s Mackenzie Flood, Simon Hillis and Samantha Kuhn who won their age category in last year’s national event at RMR. Flood won the female 15-18 category while Hillis fended off fellow Rosslander Bohdi Ellis-Kusy to win the male 7-11 category. Kuhn took the top spot in the female 7-11 category.