Subaru Freeride Tour: Junior Results

24 Mar Subaru Freeride Tour: Junior Results

The overall results of the Subaru Freeride Tour, Juniors, Telluride leg, are as follows:

Junior Freesking Tour. Image by Mark Epstein.

Women’s Snowboard:

1. Olivia Olsen, 62.00

Women’s Ski:

1. Sierra Swan, 71.67

2. Maya Ordonez, 69.33

Men’s Snowboard:

1. Jackson Kelley, 85.00

2. Noah Perkovich, 81.00

3. Henry Storm 62.67

Men’s Ski:

1.  Erik Hilb, 96.33

2. Seamus Flannagan, 95.00

3. Tashi Hackett, 92.00

Forty-one young freeriders competed at the second stop of the Junior Freeride Tour (JFT) in Telluride, Colorado on Sunday, March 23, under blue bird skies on a new layer of snow. Junior athletes had the opportunity to compete on the same venue that the Subaru Freeride Series (SFS) athletes competed on Palmyra Peak,  but had an advantage picking fresh lines on The Review. Athletes ages 12-17 competed fiercely to take home a piece of the winning title, but in the end snowboarders Olivia Olsen and Jackson Kelley and skiers Sierra Swan and Erik Hilb went home with top honors.

“After challenging the junior athletes to hike up to the venue they still had enough gas in the tank to ride with excitement,” stated Head Judge Carrie Jo. “These kids are really honing in on their technique and strategy. We saw some of the most styled runs integrating park and pipe skills onto a big mountain venue. These young athletes are getting more primed and ready to step into the adult tour.”

Junior athletes competed to earn 2-star Freeride World Tour (FWT) points by demonstrating unique maneuvers such as tricks, air, and style, while simultaneously maintaining fluidity and control. The points that competitors earned today will grant athletes transitioning into adult events the opportunity to someday compete in the FWT. The event began with the women’s snowboard competition. Sandy, Utah local Olivia Olsen was the first contender out of the gate and the only women snowboarder who dared to brave the steeps on The Review. At just 17 years old, Olsen showed great control and fluidity during her run, and exited with a solid air earning her a 62.00.

Sierra Swan out of Salt Lake City Utah, took top honors in the women’s skiing competition. Swan skied with great technical skill and incorporated some creativity and style in the lower rock field of The Review. Judges awarded her a top score of 71.67. Telluride local Maya Ordonez came in close to Swan with a final score of  69.33. Ordonez had a disadvantage during her first run when a poacher cut her off. Ordonez was not ready to call it quits and was awarded a second run where she made solid fluid turns to the bottom.

Next, the men’s ski competition winner, Jackson Kelly, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, rode The Review with confidence and trickery. Kelly charged down the mountain and wowed the judges with multiple stylish grabs earning him a top score of 85.00. Rico, Colorado local Noah Perkovich earned a second place score of 81.00 after successfully skiing a high energy polished run through the Lower Review rock garden. Henry Storm, another Salt Lake City, Utah local, slid into third place with a leap of faith when he stomped a nice air, and came down into the finish with great control and a score of 62.67.

Erik Hilb, out of Vail, Colorado, took top honors in the men’s ski division after throwing a big straight line in the middle of The Review and stomping a big air at the finish. The judges awarded him a top score of 96.33. Edwards, Colorado local Seamus Flannagan, had the most progressive run of the day, riding beyond his years. He started with an air off Meat and Potatoes, threw a 180 and earned his stamp of approval by finishing his run with a cork 360 and a second place score of 95.00. Rounding out the podium, Ridgway, Colorado local Tashi Hackett earned his third place spot with his fast and controlled skiing. Hackett capitalized his run by stomping an air earning him a finishing score of 92.00.

In addition to the championship awards, The Free Mountain Award was presented to Hackett for challenging not only himself, but also the sport through his athletic performance. Hackett proved worthy of this recognition by incorporating great technique and having fun while going big.

Junior Freeriders from all over the world will meet in Big Sky, Montana for the Junior Freeride World Championships April 4-7. For more information about the tour go to www.juniorfreeridetour.com.

Follow the Junior Freeride Tour on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jrfreeskiingtour, and on Twitter at twitter.com/jrfreeridetour