For the 4th year in a row, the freeskiing pros will flock to Whistler-Blackcomb for the Canadian Freeskiing Championships, Jan. 7-11. The event, the first stop on the Freeskiing World Tour, will bring 120 of the best skiers from 11 states and provinces and eight countries to compete for $10,000.
What is freeskiing competition? Unlike ski racing, in which athletes ski down a course set with gates, a freeskiing competition allows competitors to choose their lines through natural terrain features on the mountain. And unlike those tight racing suits, competitors wear regular ski clothing that any recreational skier would wear. We've never seen one-piece powder suits (I dare somebody).
We'll see some of this generation's best skiers pulling off some incredibly technical skiing on extremely difficult terrain. Competitors choose cliffs, steep terrain, and speed to increase the difficulty of their run and hopefully score favorably with the judges.
"This year, we'll see who raises the bar, and how..."
Scoring is based on five categories: line choice, control, fluidity, technique and aggression. There are 10 possible points in each category and a max total of 50 points possible per run.
"In the past there has really a split between big cliff-jumpers and technical skiers, so what I'm looking for is rewarding the guys who can do both," said judge Michel Beaudry during last year's comp. This year, we'll see who raises the bar, and how.
Four years ago Gordy Peifer and Alison Gannett won the first-ever Canadian comp at a powder-filled huckfest in Diamond Bowl on Blackcomb. Other past winners include '99 Champs Linda Peterson of Alta and Whistler's Jeff Holden.
Last year, thin conditions didn't stop champions Charlotte Moats and Todd Windle and they'll be back to defend their titles. Local phenom and 2000 IFSA World Tour champion Hugo Harrison will also be vying for the win on his home turf. Last year his run scored the highest during the last day, but he ended the competition in 6th place.
2000 World Tour champion Linda Peterson is the women's favorite (she won in '99 despite tearing her ACL). And local Jennifer Ashton, winner at the US Nationals in Snowbird last year, will be strong on this familiar terrain. And then, of course, there are the underdogs, and we'll be watching for them.
Stay tuned for pictures, video, rumors and results.
—
Michelle Quigley Pearson, MountainZone.com Staff
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