Gearing Up for Big Mountain Events

For the last two weeks we have been focusing on skiing steep gnarly lines, airing of cliffs, and clean, fluid Telemark technique in technical terrain as we gear up for Taos and Crested Butte. It has been exciting to watch experienced skiers attack this terrain with new creativity and comfort and new skiers find a body position that allows them to connect turns in the steeps.

Today saw several breakthroughs in skiing hard pack, steep terrain (including an epic backwards slide down Goudy's by Kelsey Bohannan!) as well as huge breakthroughs in the park (including 72os by Luke Lubchenco and corked 900s coming from Dillon Smith!).

Check out the slideshow below for some shots of the crew sending some cliffs last week.

Steamboat Springs Sprint Classic!

The first competition of the year was a traditional Telemark event born in Norway: the Sprint Classic. This is a giant slalom course with a jump mid-course where time is added if skiers fail to cross a distance line or land in a Telemark turn. There is also an uphill portion of the course that is preceeded by a banked 90 degree turn. Although we do not train for this style of event it is a wild ride and a great window into the type of racing that occurs at the World Cup level of Telemark Skiing.
For many, this was their first time in any kind of gates and for most returning teammembers it was great to get back into Sprint Classic after we pursued two national events last year.
Congradulations to Molly Holmes and Ellie Woolaway, both of whom ended up on the podium!

Results:
Junior Women's
Molly Holmes 2nd
Brooke Ledererererer 4th
Aisha Weinhold 5th

Women's Citizen
Elle Woolaway 1st

Men's Juniors
Hayden Kennedy DNF (sucka)
Sam Stevens 5th
Dillon Smith 11th
Luke Lubchenco 8th
Trevor Gomez DNF - ripped binding off ski, which then took of and ghost rode the course.
Lukas Morelock - DNF (too fast to time)