147 Search Results for ""freeskiing world tour""
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Daiek Defends His Title And Tu Daiek Defends His Title And Turf - Freeride World Tour TV
- From: freerideworldtour
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Description:
2012 Freeskiing World Tour Champion Josh Daiek has had a rough season so far on the 2013 Freeride Word Tour. The competition on his home mountain, Kirkwood, gives him the opportunity to defend his title and improve his ranking.
Watch More Freeride World Tour TV Videos - 3 months ago
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Kirkwood Hosts Stop No. 4 Of F Kirkwood Hosts Stop No. 4 Of Freeride World Tour
- From: gregfitzsimmons
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Description:
CLICK HERE to watch today’s event live. The action gets underway at 9 a.m. PST as the ski women drop in.
The FWT comes stateside to kickoff the second half of the season
By Greg FitzsimmonsThe fourth stop of the newly unified Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face goes down stateside today at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. We’re halfway through the FWT, with stops in Revelstoke, Courmayeur, and Chamonix in the rearview mirror, and Fieberbrunn and Verbier coming up after the sole comp of the season in the United States.
Today’s action will take place on Kirkwood’s famed Cirque, a permanently closed rock-littered zone that introduces a new type of terrain into the FWT mix this season. The Cirque is almost 1,500 vertical feet of exposed terrain, with tight chutes, big cliffs, scattered trees, and open bowls for arching turns. Unlike Mac Face in Revy and the venues on the Italian and French sides of the Mont Blanc, Kirkwood’s Cirque is a wide, venue with a mix of steep aspects and bench-like sections that will require some navigation from the competitors if they’re going to ski the Cirque fluidly from top to bottom.
Per usual, the athletes are working off of a visual inspection only, and the consensus is divided amongst athletes. Fall-line chargers will be tasked with finding terrain that suits their style, while freestyle jibbers might have an advantage with the abundance of natural features that are primed for a playful approach.
“The Cirque at Kirkwood is a powerful place in the history of freeride, and I take riding it very seriously. It’s a pretty big face, so solid runs definitely have to be high speed and powerful so you don't spend multiple minutes up there,” said current tour leader Drew Tabke. “But there are lots of airs with good takeoffs and steep landings, so there is definitely a place for freestyle as well.”
Tabke’s blend of full-tilt and playful charging has earned him the overall tear leader spot going into the fourth stop of the FWT. With wins in Revelstoke and Chamonix, Tabke’s approach has been rewarded so far on the tour, and rightly so.
Other athletes, like last year’s overall FWT Champion Reine Barkered, aren’t super psyched on the Cirque’s prospects. “I don’t believe [the venue] suits me that well,” said Sweden’s Barkered. “On the top part you can go pretty fast, but in the middle and bottom sections you will have to slow down since there are a lot of airs to flat landings. I like to send my cliffs with speed so it might be better for the more freestyle influenced riding as there are a few transfers and kickers.”
It’s ladies first on the venue today, with the ski women kicking things off. There was a storm last week that dropped a few inches of fresh snow on the venue, but temps have gotten warm the last few days and there’s a spring break vibe in the Sierra Nevadas.
“The venue is in rough shape, but still has a ton of fun potential,” said Jackson Hole’s Crystal Wright, who has had solid showings in Kirkwood in the past. “I am looking at the same line as last year but hoping to ski it better if I can. It is fast and fluid and it makes me happy! [That line] is the only thing that is jumping out at me when I look at the venue.”
With Kirkwood’s Cirque possibly favoring a more playful approach to skiing and riding, there are a few names in the start list to take note of. Last year’s North American-based Freeskiing World Tour Champion Josh Diaek is a longtime Kirkwood local, and Diaek has won the last two comps on his home turf. Look for Diaek to blast a fast, creative line through the Cirque that mixes trickery with fall-line skiing. If big-mountain jibbing is the predicted approach for Kirkwood, Euros Fabio Studer and Markus Eder and Americans Johnny Collinson and Colter Hinchliffe are names to watch, too. But, don’t sleep on Tabke, Barkered, Oakley White-Allen, and Jérémie Heitz—who is sitting in second place overall behind Tabke—to put on full-throttle show.
On the women’s ski side, Sweden’s Christine Hargin is riding a lot of momentum into today’s comp after sweeping the first two stops of the FWT in Revy and Cham. Jess McMillan and Crystal Wright, both from Jackson Hole, have a lot of experience on the Cirque and are due for strong showings.Save Big on Kirkwood Mountain Resort discount lift tickets through Liftopia.com
The men’s snowboard field should be interesting to watch as Squaw Valley’s Ralph Backstrom will don the yellow bib, which denotes the overall tour leader. Another Squaw rider, Ryland Bell, who has been sending it on Jeremy Jones’s Further project, will slide into the FWT start gate for the first time this season. Frenchmen Jonathan Charlet got his 2013 season going in the right direction with a win in Chamonix, and Sammy Luebke always brings a fresh approach to riding; both will be throwing down in Kirkwood.
Tahoe locals Casey Lucas (from Kirkwood) and Iris Lazzareschi (from Squaw) will be looking to represent in front of their hometown fans as they take on overall tour leader Margot Rozies, Snowbird’s Laura Dewey, and the rest of the snowboard women field.
Some competitors are in good shape going into the Kirkwood stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face. Tabke and Hargin sit atop the men’s and women’s ski fields thanks to two wins by each athlete so far this year. Ralph Backstrom has ridden consistently en route to being the tour leader of the snowboard men at the halfway point of the FTW, and French rider Margot Rozies is on top of snowboard women after her win in front of her home crowd in Chamonix.
Other competitors are feeling the pressure, however. There are no guaranteed spots for the final in Verbier, and everyone is vying for a bib to compete on the renowned Bec de Roses venue in Switzerland. So, look for a high level of skiing and riding today in Kirkwood, and at the subsequent stop in Fieberbrunn, Austria in early March, as competitors are working to solidify invites to Verbier.
CLICK HERE to watch today’s event live. The action gets underway at 9 a.m. PST as the ski women drop in. - Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 113
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Dropping In: 6 Questions With Dropping In: 6 Questions With Steve Jones On The Co-Lab
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Teton Gravity Research has been organizing The Co-Lab $100,000 freeskiing video project for years. Since announcing the contest to the public last May, there have been many questions as to how it will work.
We sat down with TGR co-founder Steve Jones to talk about The Co-Lab.
1) There is a lot of talk about The Co-Lab $100,000 freeskiing video contest. When the day comes to unveil the videos to the world, what do you hope to see?
Steve Jones: I have been hearing lots of background talk from undiscovered skiers, to pros working on segments. I think this thing could go any number of ways. Some guys are working on all park style skiing, some guys on more urban-centric edits, and some guys on more of a freeride type of a vibe. With the way people have evolved their skiing, I think we will see a lot of diverse edits that include lots of different styles of skiing. In terms of participants, from what I am hearing about on the street, this $100,000 could go to anyone.
2) What do you think will make a successful edit for The Co-Lab?
Steve Jones: I think some people think they need helicopters and all kinds of hi-tech camera equipment to win. That is not the case. I think it will come down to the most innovative riding combined with the most innovative editing. Creativity, aggressiveness, style, resourcefulness will all play a big part.
Another cool thing is that if you don't win the grand prize we are going to be announcing some sub-category awards as well. We are still defining those but things like, “Best foot-powered edit,” “Best Trick,” “Rowdiest Line,” “Most Innovative/Creative” are some of the ideas being thrown around. These are not final yet, but you get the idea. We are hoping to have a much smaller cash component to award for these sub-categories. Again, still in the works but hopefully can release some sub-categories soon.
3) If the edits are voted on by the people, how will the voting work? How will you prevent shenanigans?
Steve Jones: The people are only allowed to vote in the top 18 segments. Then there are three wildcards chosen by an outside panel of industry experts. Once the public has voted and the final 21 segments are locked, voting is closed to only those final 21 athletes to decide the ultimate winner.
4) What do you hope the final video for The Co-Lab to be?
Steve Jones: The final compilation film will be made up of the top 12 segments. From what I am hearing in the rumor mill and knowing some of the contestants, the final compilation will be a mix of undiscovered rippers and a variety of some of the industry's top pros. It's kind of cool because we expect to see guys from different film companies, competition backgrounds, local heroes, etc. mixed together into one final movie of their own personal edits. This is anyone's chance and it should be a colorful group of people. I think we are going to see some major surprises.
5) Will there be a movie tour for The Co-Lab movie?
Steve Jones: The Co-Lab will be distributed via iTunes and various other distribution platforms. We don't own the footage but we do retain the rights to distribute. There will be a ton of exposure for the people in this movie. We are considering showing CoLab at some of our bigger movie tour stops, as a lead in to our annual film. At very least we will be showing the winner's segment at all of the film tour venues as a preview. We will also distribute to film festivals and probably some TV coverage as well.
6) Do you guys really have $100,000?
Steve Jones: Yes we do, and somebody is going to be very happy.
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So, are you in? We want to hear your Co-Lab story. Send us an email to CoLab@tetongravity.com for a chance to be featured on this site.
Use the hash tag #TGRcolab
Go To The Co-Lab Contest Page
Get The Co-Lab Overview
See The Co-Lab Schedule
Read The Official Rules
Read The Frequently Asked Questions - Blog post
- 3 months ago
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Revelstuck - Episode 2 - Bomb Revelstuck - Episode 2 - Bomb Snow TV
- From: bombsnow116362
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Description:
The Bomb Snow brigade sent it up North to Revelstoke, British Columbia for the month of January to chase deep pow and explore new zones. Upon arrival, 40-60 + cm of fresh made for unbelievable shredding. Stop number one of the Freeride World Tour was set to take place early the first week, but was delayed due to consistent snow. After a week of freeskiing the resort, the comp went down and did not disappoint. Huge airs and burly lines were thrown down on 'Mac Daddy' face, and it was the smooth, fluid lines that came out on top.
After the competition, the Bomb Snow brigade fueled the sleds and explored the endless terrain surrounding Revy. They met up with a few locals and friends, and got after it while the conditions were prime. A huge wind event took place upon the skies breaking blue, leaving the alpine scoured or loaded. However, the tree/pillow skiing remained all time.
The wind spell did not last long, and soon enough the skies were puking powder once again. Rogers Pass was our calling for a solid week of touring. Rogers is a unique area, sketchy and rewarding. Around every corner is another corner, and another, full of chutes, faces, pillows, and glaciers. It was mind-blowing to become more familiar with the terrain and see the potential the Pass holds.
MUSIC:
Band: Ghoul
“Into the Catacombs”
tankcrimes.com
Band: Holograms
“ABC City”
Band: Hells Fire Sinners
“Hangin”
Band: Kitchen Dwellers
“EchoNiner”
Band: Scotch Greens
“GR”
Watch More Bomb Snow TV Videos - 3 months ago
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News: James Woods And Keri Her News: James Woods And Keri Herman Win At Copper Mountain
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Copper Mountain, Colo. – Keri Herman’s (Breckenridge, CO) back-to-back switch tricks and clean landings sealed the deal for her second straight World Cup win at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix at Copper Mountain. Herman’s first run featured one of the best displays of grabs fans have seen in women’s slopestyle skiing. Her run included a lipslide first rail, bus stop to switch, switch right 720 safety-grab, switch right 540 Japan-grab, right 540 tail-grab. Great Britain’s James Woods took the men’s title.
Americans took four of the top eight spots including Bobby Brown (Breckenridge, CO) fourth, Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN) fifth, Alex Schlopy (Park City, UT) seventh and Sammy Carlson (Hood River, OR) eighth. American women took four of the top nine with Ashley Battersby (Park City, UT) sixth, Jamie Crane-Mauzy (Park City, UT) eighth and U.S.Freeskiing rookie Jess Breda (Marshfield, MA) ninth at just her second World Cup. The event also doubled as the U.S. Slopestyle Championship with Brown and Herman taking titles as top Americans. The athletes gained valuable FIS Olympic qualifying points in addition to AFP Platinum level points.
“I am so happy!” said Keri Herman. “At Dew Tour in December I finished dead last and this is great! It’s so cool to have won both FIS World Cup’s so far; it’s a real honor to represent the USA at the top of the podium. I tried so hard to grab well in my run and it worked out. The field of competition was tough and I am lucky the score from my first run held, because I fell on my second run. This is such a good confidence booster heading into X Games.”
BROADCAST SCHEDULE (times ET)
Sat. Jan. 19 2:00-3:00 p.m. –Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix, slopestyle, NBC Sports Network
Click Here For Offical Results Men and Official Results Women - Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Views: 123
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Swatch Freeride World Tour Ram Swatch Freeride World Tour Ramps Up In Revelstoke
- From: gregfitzsimmons
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Description:
The snow has been stacking up in Revelstoke. On Jan. 11, the first stop of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face is scheduled to pop off. Photo: D.CARLIER.
The Swatch Freeride World Tour Is Ready to Go
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by the North Face, and the action will go down on Mackenzie Peak at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Dubbed “Mac Daddy,” the face is a perfect venue for the best in the world. And, this year we actually get to see the best from all over. For years the North American-based Freeskiing World Tour and European-centric Freeride World Tour have run mutually exclusive contests during the winter, each crowning their own “World Champion” at the end of the season. This year, however, the tours have come together to create a unified world tour, aimed at pitting the best against each other and determining an indisputable World Champion in men’s and women’s big-mountain skiing and snowboarding.
The six-stop tour has handpicked venues throughout the world for big-mountain freeriding. In addition to this week’s Revelstoke comp, the FWT will stop on the Italian and French sides of the Mont Blanc in Courmayeur and Chamonix, in California’s Sierra Nevada at Kirkwood’s cliff-strewn Cirque, in the Tyrol Range where Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal exemplifies Austria’s terrain, and culminating in Switzerland at the infamous Bec de Rosses venue for the Swatch Xtreme Verbier.
Around 60 competitive big-mountain freeriders from all over the world have been posted up in Revy for about a week waiting for a weather window to run the contest. Just as the competitors started arriving, so did the snow. Upwards of three feet of snow has blanketed Revelstoke and set the “Mac Daddy” face up with insane conditions for Friday’s comp.
Among the competitors are TGR’s Griffin Post, Colter Hinchliffe and Ralph Backstrom.
Mackenzie Peak, the FWT venue, is just outside of the Revelstoke Mountain Resort Boundary. Photo via FWT.
“It has been snowing ever since we got here,” says Hinchliffe, who has been diligently icing and resting a banged up leg in the hopes of being able to compete. “Friday is supposed to be full-on bluebird, primo conditions. The fact that we’re waiting for the conditions to be right is going to make for a good show; it should be really sick.”
Post agrees: “It’s snowed probably two to three feet on the venue. If the snow locks up it should be all-time conditions.”
Relying strictly on a visual inspection — rather than being allowed to get into the venue to size-up airs, probe landings, and see first-hand what the conditions are like — athletes are constantly mulling over photographs of the “Mac Daddy” face to get familiar with the terrain and choose a line or determine a direction to head out of the start gate.
“There are two dramatically different options,” says Post. “Skier’s left is far more playful and flowy; whereas the skier’s right is more gnarly and exposed, it’s traditional big-mountain skiing. I’m pretty sure I’m headed skier’s left to get into some doubles and ski the less-exposed zone. I think the skier’s right is going to sluff super hard and with all of the new snow it is not the day I would want to ski it.”
“At this point I am doubtful rather than hopeful for Friday,” says Hinchliffe, “If I am feeling good Friday, though, I am looking at the skier’s right side of the venue, it’s exposed getting in but then there are a couple of nice features on the right side and that direction leaves a couple of options down low — a little roller or a third and fourth cliff. As far as the top, I’m looking to rip the face on the top and maybe find something to jump off.”
A skier gets deep in the fresh snow at Revelstoke. Photo: B. Long
With the merger of the North American and European tours, there are a lot of new names for fans US-based fans of big-mountain competitive skiing and snowboarding.
“The talent in men’s skiing is so deep,” says Post. “Pretty much every skier out there I’m excited to watch. There are younger guys who are super hungry and older, seasoned guys who are a little smarter. A few guys in particular are Sam Smoothy and Markus Eder, I always like watching Tabke, of course. It’s such a stacked field, it’s crazy how many really good skiers there are up here, and it’s anybody’s game.”
Hinchliffe shared his thoughts on the competition field.
“I am pretty stoked to see what Johnny Collinson is going to do out there," Hinchliffe said. "He seems to be feeling good right now, and he’s definitely not suffering from a leg injury. He’s been out there doing threes off of everything he can find. We’re on a similar wavelength. The standard Tabke show should be cool to watch, too. I’d like to see O’Meara kill it, I’m sure he will. I’m excited to see who pops up and who shines.”
Stay tuned for a recap of the comp.
Click Here To Watch A Live Stream Of The Event
Official Start List:Snowboard Men Last Name First Name Nationality Hometown Carlson Tim USA Stevens Pass Rodosky John USA Jackson Hole Badoux Emilien SUI Valais Alpes Van Helfteren Irian Holl Luebke Sammy USA Squaw Valley Rizzuto Jamie CAN Fernie Guillot-Diat Ludovic FRA Villard-de-Lans Annetts Matt USA Jackson Hole Charlet Jonathan FRA Chamonix Routens Aurelien FRA La Grave Rouge Joel SUI Alpes Vaudoises Backstrom Ralph USA Squaw Valley Orley Flo AUT Hochfugen Snowboard Women Last Name First Name Nationality Hometown Mouthon Anouck FRA La Clusaz Lucas Casey USA Kirkwood Yates Shannan USA Snowbird Mouthon Elodie FRA La Clusaz Rozies Margot FRA Pyrenees Bock Aline GER Innsbruck, Arlberg Lazzereschi Iris USA Squaw Valley Dewey Laura USA Snowbird Ski Men Last Name First Name Nationality Hometown Slemett Leo FRA Chamonix Mont-Blanc Lyons Charlie NZL Mt. Olympus Kappler Ryan CAN Revelstoke Coirier Adrien FRA Les Arcs Heitz Jeremie SUI Les Manecottes Gauthier Laurent CAN Whistler/Blackcomb Hinchliffe Colter USA Aspen, CO Salencon Nicolas ARG Bariloche Guri Kevin FRA Les Menuires Lindberg Willie SWE Rikgransen Post Griffin USA Jackson Hole Ducroz Aurelien FRA Chamonix Chickering-Ayers Silas USA Mad River Glen, VT Eder Markus ITA Klausberg Smoothy Sam NZL Treble Cone Lopez Julien FRA Tarentaise Tabke Drew USA Crystal Mountain Barkered Reine SWE Are, Sweden Hausl Stefan AUT Arlberg Michaud Seb FRA La Clusaz Collinson John USA Alta / Snow Bird Fornell Dani AND Ordino-Arcalis, Vallnord Nelson Luke CAN Fernie Ogilvie Benjamin CAN Fernie Haunholder Matthias AUT Fieberbrunn Daiek Josh USA Kirkwood Bijasson Mathieu FRA La Clusaz Collin Sean USA Squaw Valley O’Meara Kevin USA Squaw Valley Ski Women Last Name First Name Nationality Hometown Gundersen Pia Nic NOR Anstadblaheia Segal Natalie AUS Jackson Hole Slinning Anne May NOR Aalesund Wright Crystal USA Jackson Hole Walkner Eva AUT Dachstein Lercher Sonja CAN Blackcomb Paaso Jackie USA Squaw Valley Maxfield Ashley USA Jay Peak / Peak Hargin Christine SWE Ramundberget Wallner Nadine AUT Arlberg - Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Views: 157
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News: U.S. Snowboarding Team N News: U.S. Snowboarding Team Named At Copper
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO – The 2013 U.S. Snowboarding Team halfpipe and slopestyle teams, led by Olympians Kelly Clark (West Dover, VT), Scotty Lago (Seabrook, NH), Louie Vito (Sandy, UT) and World Snowboard Tour champion Chas Guldemond (Reno, NV), was named Saturday at Copper Mountain.
The team features a world-class roster of 26 internationally ranked snowboarders. They begin their competition season with the Dew Tour Dec. 13-16 at Breckenridge followed by the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix, the first domestic FIS World Cup and a 5Star World Snowboard Tour event, Jan. 10-13 at Copper Mountain featuring halfpipe and, new for this season, slopestyle.
2013 U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Pro Team
Men
Greg Bretz (Mammoth Lakes, CA)
Matt Ladley (Chicago, IL)
Scotty Lago (Seabrook, NH)
Benji Farrow (Ludlow, VT)
Louie Vito (Sandy, UT)
Luke Mitrani (Bondville, VT)
Women
Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO)
Kelly Clark (West Dover, VT)
Elena Hight (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Ellery Hollingsworth (Darien, CT)
Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT)
Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO)
2013 U.S. Snowboarding Slopestyle Pro Team
Men
Chas Guldemond (Reno, NV)
Sage Kotsenburg (Park City, UT)
Eric Willett (Breckenridge, CO)
WomenJessika Jenson (Rigby, ID)
Jordie Karlinski (Snowmass Village, CO)
Ty Walker (Stowe, VT)
2013 U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Rookie Team
Men
Taylor Gold (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Brett Esser (Dubuque, IA)
Ben Ferguson (Bend, OR)
Arielle Gold (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Kyle Mack (West Bloomfield, MI)
Serena Shaw (Stratton Mountain, VT)
Spencer Shaw (Stratton Mountain, VT)
Gabe Ferguson (Bend, OR)
U.S. Snowboarding Staff
Jeremy Forster, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Director
Abbi Nyberg, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Program Manager
Kate Morton, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Team Manager
Dave Coombs, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Slopestyle Technician
Stu Soars, U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Technician
Lauren Ziaks, U.S. Snowboarding Physical Therapist
Coaches
Mike Jankowski, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach
Rick Bower, U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Coach
Tommy Czeschin, U.S. Snowboarding Assistant Halfpipe Coach
Bill Enos, U.S. Snowboarding Slopestyle Coach
Spencer Tamblyn, U.S. Snowboarding National Development Coach
Official U.S. Snowboarding Suppliers
Uniform/Licensees
Burton
High Sierra
Smartwool
Eyewear
Zeal Optics
Wax, Tools, Training Devices and Accessories
Tools4Boards
DeWalt
Dominator
EPS
Kenwood Radios
Reliable Racing
Wintersteiger
Official Education Partner
Westminster College - Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 204
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News: U.S. Freeskiing Team Nam News: U.S. Freeskiing Team Named In Colorado
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO – The 2013 U.S. Freeskiing Team, a powerhouse squad of 33 athletes led by four-time X Games medalist Tom Wallisch (Pittsburgh, PA) X Games Champion David Wise (Reno, NV), Overall Association of Freeskiing Professionals Champion Devin Logan (West Dover, VT) and four-time X Game medalist Torin Yater-Wallace (Basalt, CO) was named Saturday at Copper Mountain.Freeskiing makes its Olympic debut at the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia, where both slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines will be showcased.
The team is gearing up for its first competition of the season, the Dew Tour at Breckenridge Dec. 13-16, followed by the VISA U.S. Grand Prix, the first domestic World Cup of the season and Platinum AFP event at Copper Mountain, Jan. 10-13 featuring halfpipe and slopestyle.
2013 U.S. Freeskiing Team Roster
2013 U.S. Freeskiing Halfpipe Pro Team
Men
Wing Tai Barrymore (Sun Valley, ID)
Duncan Adams (Breckenridge, CO)
Simon Dumont (Bethel, ME)
Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO)
Tucker Perkins (Northampton, NH)
David Wise (Reno, NV)
Torin Yater-Wallace (Basalt, CO, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club)
WomenMaddie Bowman (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Jen Hudak (Park City, UT)
Devin Logan (West Dover, VT)
Brita Sigourney (Carmel, CA)
2012 U.S. Freeskiing Slopestyle Pro TeamMen
Bobby Brown (Breckenridge, CO)
Sammy Carlson (Hood River, OR)
Joss Christensen (Park City, UT)
Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO)
Alex Schlopy (Park City, UT)
Tom Wallisch (Pittsburgh, PA)
Women
Keri Herman (Breckenridge, CO)
Ashley Battersby (Park City, UT)
Devin Logan (West Dover, VT)
Meg Olenick (Aspen, CO)
Emilia Wint (Denver, CO)
Grete Eliassen (Salt Lake City, UT)
U.S. Freeskiing Halfpipe Rookie Team
Men
Aaron Blunck (Crested Butte, CO)
Lyman Currier (Boulder, CO)
Alex Ferreira (Aspen, CO)
Women
Annalisa Drew (Andover, MA)
Darian Stevens (Missoula, MT)
U.S. Freeskiing Slopestyle Rookie Team
Men
Willie Borm (Chaska, MN)
Lyman Currier (Boulder, CO)
Chris Laker (Cincinnati, OH)
Andy Patridge (Park City, UT)
Women
Jess Breda (Marshfield, MA)
Alexi Micinski (Meridian, ID)
Darian Stevens (Missoula, MT)
U.S. Freeskiing Staff
Jeremy Forster, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Director
Abbi Nyberg, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Program Manager
Kate Morton, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Team Manager
Luke Byers, U.S. Freeskiing Halfpipe Technician
Dave Coombs, U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Slopestyle Technician
Justin Hunt, U.S. Freeskiing Physical Therapist
Coaches
Mike Jankowski, Head Halfpipe and Slopestyle U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Snowboarding Coach
Andy Woods, U.S. Freeskiing Halfpipe Coach
Skogen Sprang, U.S. Freeskiing Slopestyle Coach
DJ Montigny, U.S. Freeskiing Rookie Slopestyle Coach
Ben Verge, U.S. Freeskiing Rookie Halfpipe Coach
Official U.S. Freeskiing Suppliers
Uniform/Licensees
The North Face
High Sierra
Smartwool
Hard Goods (skis, boots, bindings, poles)
Liberty Skis
Full Tilt Boots
Eyewear
Zeal Optics
Wax, Tools, Training Devices and Accessories
DeWalt
Dominator
EPS-Doublet
Kenwood Radios
Reliable Racing
Tools4boards.com
Official Education Partner
Westminster College - Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 115
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News: Wallisch, Carlson, Kenwo News: Wallisch, Carlson, Kenworthy And U.S. Freeskiing Takes Mammoth Terrain Park
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Mammoth Mountain, California – In preparation for the 2013 competition season, some of U.S. Freeskiing’s best slopestyle skiers are hitting Mammoth Mountain’s Unbound Terrain Park. Boasting the most open terrain in the country athletes like X Games gold medalist Tom Wallisch (Pittsburgh, PA) and AFP overall World Champion Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO) have been lapping the park perfecting their runs for the season. Newly back on skis from an injury last January, five time X Games medalist Sammy Carlson (Hood River, OR) and teammates have been utilizing Mammoth Mountain’s 55-foot tabletop jumps and rails to practice for the upcoming season.
"It feels so good to be on snow and getting my tricks back on point," Sammy Carlson said. "The weather at Mammoth has been awesome and I am stoked on being here; they always kill it with their terrain park. I’m really working on my run for Dew Tour, Grand Prix and X Games. It’s cool having Tom and my other teammates here to push me. I’m for sure having a fun time."The U.S. Freeskiing Team heads to Breckenridge, CO on Dec. 12 for the first AFP platinum level event of the season, the Dew Tour.
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 96
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News: Mountain Sports Internat News: Mountain Sports International Announces New Subaru Freeride Series
- From: TetonGravityResearch
-
Description:
New Subaru Freeride Series Announced
4-star Freeride World Qualifiers provide Launch Pad to the Freeride World Tour
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Salt Lake City, Utah-based Mountain Sports International (MSI) announced the schedule for the 2013 Subaru Freeride Series today. The new series features three 4-star Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) ski events for men and women at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO (Feb. 7-10); Moonlight Basin Resort, MT (March 14-17); and the Subaru Freeride Nationals at Snowbird Ski Resort (April 11-14). Two 2-star Freeride World Qualifier events will also be held as part of the series at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO (Feb. 6-7) and Snowbird Ski Resort (April 10-11). The 2-star events provide an additional platform for athletes to earn Freeride World Qualifier points with the top men and women advancing to the corresponding day of 4-star competition. The full FWQ calendar will be released tomorrow with a full slate of worldwide events, including additional FWQ events in Canada and the United States.
“These premier 4-star events provide crucial opportunities for athletes hoping to qualify for the world tour,” said Event Director Bryan Barlow of Mountain Sports International. “We are excited to provide this opportunity on the country's leading big mountain venues.”
The Freeride World Qualifier point system (FWQ) has been developed as part of the newly unified Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face (FWT). All FWT events are designated as 5-star events. FWQs range from 1 to 4-stars and enable athletes to earn a corresponding ratio of points based on their performance at competitions. Accumulated points immediately affect an athlete's position on the FWT ranking system. The top ranked athletes will qualify to participate on the 2014 FWT.
The first ever FWT season will start with a roster of 36 prequalified male skiers, 14 male snowboarders, 14 female skiers and seven female snowboarders. Athlete qualification for the 2013 FWT has been designated by previous tour performance and rankings on the 2012 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour, The North Face Masters of Snowboarding and Swatch Freeride World Tours. In the future, the FWT roster will be created through the FWQ point system granting FWT positions to athletes with the highest points on the FWT and regional Freeride World Qualifying events such as the Subaru Freeride Series. The 2013 season of FWQ competition will climax at the Freeride Nationals at Snowbird Ski Resort in April, the final opportunity for FWQ athletes to launch to the FWT.
The Subaru Freeride Series is sponsored by Subaru, Sierra Nevada, Clif Bar, The North Face and Black Diamond
Registration for Subaru Freeride Series will open Dec. 4, 2012. Riders will be able to create a profile and sign-up for the Subaru Freeride Series events of their choice through the Freeride World Qualifier registration system. Twenty-one days prior to the 4-star day of competition and 45 days prior to the 2-star event, registration for the events will close. Riders will then be determined off of the seeding list on the day registration closes.2013 Subaru Freeride Series Registration Schedule:
Date
Class
Star
Location
Open
Closed
Feb 6-7
SFS
2
Crested Butte, CO
Dec 4
Dec 23
Feb 7-10
SFS
4
Crested Butte, CO
Dec 4
Jan 17
Mar 14-17
Apr 10-11
SFS
SFS
4
2
Moonlight Basin, MT
Snowbird, UT
Dec 4
Dec 4
Feb 21
Feb 24
Apr 11-14
SFS
4
Snowbird, UT
Dec 4
Mar 21
For athlete information visit FWQ Americas on Facebook, follow the Subaru Freeride Series on Twitter at twitter.com/SubaruFreeride, or contact Julia Jimmerson, MSI athlete relations manager, at jjimmerson@mtsports.com or (801) 349-4616. A new website will be launched soon.For media or general information contact Jessica Kunzer, MSI marketing and communications director, at jkunzer@mtsports.com or (801) 349-4612.
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
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News: Freeride World Tour Anno News: Freeride World Tour Announces New Subaru Freeride Series
- From: TetonGravityResearch
-
Description:
New Subaru Freeride Series Announced
4-star Freeride World Qualifiers provide Launch Pad to the Freeride World Tour
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Salt Lake City, Utah-based Mountain Sports International (MSI) announced the schedule for the 2013 Subaru Freeride Series today. The new series features three 4-star Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) ski events for men and women at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO (Feb. 7-10); Moonlight Basin Resort, MT (March 14-17); and the Subaru Freeride Nationals at Snowbird Ski Resort (April 11-14). Two 2-star Freeride World Qualifier events will also be held as part of the series at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO (Feb. 6-7) and Snowbird Ski Resort (April 10-11). The 2-star events provide an additional platform for athletes to earn Freeride World Qualifier points with the top men and women advancing to the corresponding day of 4-star competition. The full FWQ calendar will be released tomorrow with a full slate of worldwide events, including additional FWQ events in Canada and the United States.
“These premier 4-star events provide crucial opportunities for athletes hoping to qualify for the world tour,” said Event Director Bryan Barlow of Mountain Sports International. “We are excited to provide this opportunity on the country's leading big mountain venues.”
The Freeride World Qualifier point system (FWQ) has been developed as part of the newly unified Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face (FWT). All FWT events are designated as 5-star events. FWQs range from 1 to 4-stars and enable athletes to earn a corresponding ratio of points based on their performance at competitions. Accumulated points immediately affect an athlete's position on the FWT ranking system. The top ranked athletes will qualify to participate on the 2014 FWT.
The first ever FWT season will start with a roster of 36 prequalified male skiers, 14 male snowboarders, 14 female skiers and seven female snowboarders. Athlete qualification for the 2013 FWT has been designated by previous tour performance and rankings on the 2012 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour, The North Face Masters of Snowboarding and Swatch Freeride World Tours. In the future, the FWT roster will be created through the FWQ point system granting FWT positions to athletes with the highest points on the FWT and regional Freeride World Qualifying events such as the Subaru Freeride Series. The 2013 season of FWQ competition will climax at the Freeride Nationals at Snowbird Ski Resort in April, the final opportunity for FWQ athletes to launch to the FWT.
The Subaru Freeride Series is sponsored by Subaru, Sierra Nevada, Clif Bar, The North Face and Black Diamond
Registration for Subaru Freeride Series will open Dec. 4, 2012. Riders will be able to create a profile and sign-up for the Subaru Freeride Series events of their choice through the Freeride World Qualifier registration system. Twenty-one days prior to the 4-star day of competition and 45 days prior to the 2-star event, registration for the events will close. Riders will then be determined off of the seeding list on the day registration closes.2013 Subaru Freeride Series Registration Schedule:
Date
Class
Star
Location
Open
Closed
Feb 6-7
SFS
2
Crested Butte, CO
Dec 4
Dec 23
Feb 7-10
SFS
4
Crested Butte, CO
Dec 4
Jan 17
Mar 14-17
Apr 10-11
SFS
SFS
4
2
Moonlight Basin, MT
Snowbird, UT
Dec 4
Dec 4
Feb 21
Feb 24
Apr 11-14
SFS
4
Snowbird, UT
Dec 4
Mar 21
For athlete information visit FWQ Americas on Facebook, follow the Subaru Freeride Series on Twitter at twitter.com/SubaruFreeride, or contact Julia Jimmerson, MSI athlete relations manager, at jjimmerson@mtsports.com or (801) 349-4616. A new website will be launched soon.
For media or general information contact Jessica Kunzer, MSI marketing and communications director, at jkunzer@mtsports.com or (801) 349-4612.
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
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News: All 2013 Qualified Rider News: All 2013 Qualified Riders Confirmed For Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face
- From: SamPetri
-
Description:
Get ready for an epic season: The world’s best big-mountain riders to compete in the new unified world tour
Lausanne, Switzerland / Salt Lake City, USA - A host of new faces join the leading skiers and snowboarders from past season, as the Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face goes into its first season as a globally unified series. The new tour will combine top riders and most champions of last winter’s Swatch Freeride World Tour, Freeskiing World Tour and The North Face Masters of Snowboarding. The line-up will additionally include strong talent emerging from the Freeride World Qualifiers as well as some hotly contended wild cards.
The For Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face 2013 will kick off at Revelstoke, Canada, January 7, 2013, and then move on to the first European stops at Courmayeur-Mont-Blanc, Italy, and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. After the following events at Kirkwood, California, and Fieberbrunn PillerseeTal, Austria, the qualified riders will prepare for the finals at Verbier, Switzerland.
This season will be a season of firsts for the FWT, with new riders, a new unified calendar and a brand new partnership with ABS, who will be the tour’s official air bag system supplier.
“Security is key for FWT, so it’s essential to partner with the leading manufacturer in that field,” Freeride World Tour General Manager Europe Nicolas Hale-Woods said.
The FWT TwinBag pack with zip-on partner Dakine. For more information about ABS® click here
The top 12 male skiers from the Freeride World Tour 2012 and Freeskiing World Tour 2012 are automatically qualified. For female skiers, the top five from the Freeride World Tour 2012 and the top three from the Freeskiing World Tour 2012 are eligible to compete. The line-up includes skiers like 2012 Freeride World Tour champion Reine Barkered (SWE), 2012 Freeskiing World Tour champion Josh Daiek (USA), two-time Freeride World Tour champion Aurélien Ducroz (FRA), 2011 Freeskiing World Tour champion Drew Tabke (USA), as well as 2012 Freeride World Tour champion Christine Hargin (SWE) and two-time Freeskiing World Tour champion Angel Collinson (USA).
Some tour spots have also been reserved for wild cards. There are two types of wild cards – those given to riders committed to follow the whole tour and local organizer wild cards given to riders for a single event. In skiing, one of the wild cards was given to Markus Eder (ITA) who recently shone at the Swatch Skiers Cup at Valle Nevado, Chile.
In the Snowboard division, the top six male riders from the Freeride World Tour 2012 and top four male riders from the Masters of Snowboarding 2012 as well as the top three females from the Freeride World Tour 2012 and the Masters of Snowboarding 2012 are automatically qualified. Confirmed snowboarders include 2012 Freeride World Tour champion Jonathan Charlet (FRA), 2012 Masters of Snowboarding champion Sammy Luebke (USA), three-time Freeride World Tour champion Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) from the Swatch Proteam, as well as Ralph Backstrom (USA), Flo Orley (AUT), and 2012 Masters of Snowboarding champion Shannan Yates (USA).
In addition, several riders in all categories qualified through the Freeride World Qualifiers 2012. Talents who now have the opportunity to prove themselves in the Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face 2013 include skiers Wille Lindberg (SWE), Léo Slemett (FRA), and Pia Nic Gundersen (NOR) as well as snowboarders Ludovic Guillot-Diat (FRA), Joel Rouge (SUI), and French sisters Margot and Elodie Mouthon (FRA).
Read what some of the athletes have to say:
Drew Tabke (USA), 2nd Freeride World Tour 2012 Ski Men: “I've competed in the sport for nearly a decade and 2013 looks to be the most exciting year yet. I am so stoked the merger between the two tours is finally going down because it means we’ll finally see the best skiers from around the world at the same events. I expect the level of riding at the Freeride World Tour this year to be at the highest it’s ever been because of the incredible athlete roster. I can’t wait to see what countries and riders are dominant this year. I personally have my money on Team America.”
Sam Smoothy (NZL), 4th Freeride World Tour 2012 Ski Men: “FWT 2013 is going to be one hell of a show, with all the new riders from the FWQ and the Freeskiing World Tour full claiming rights. We have amazing venues and an incredible amount of talented riders so it’s going to be redonkulous. To have one true world tour and one true world champion is an incredible opportunity and I can’t wait to have a crack at taking home the title.”
Xavier de Le Rue (FRA), triple Freeride World Tour winner Snowboard Men: “I'm really happy to see The North Face getting on board of the Freeride World Tourfor the next few years. I'm sure that along with Swatch and the reunification of both tours, the FWT will reach a well-deserved next level. On a personal level, filming will keep me a bit too busy to follow the whole tour, but I'll be excited to come and ride three of the events of the tour.”
Christine Hargin (SWE), 2012 Freeride World Tour champion:“Although the best riders from the American tour also participated in previous years, I think a united tour means tougher competition in the races, and a higher level of riding will be required to win. The tour will get better status worldwide. I'm looking forward to see all the skiers that qualified. I think the level will be higher than ever on the tour. I'm also looking forward to ski in Canada and Revelstoke where I couldn’t join in last year, and to re-visit the other ski resorts where we will compete.”
SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BY THE NORTH FACE 2013
Competition Calendar
1. Swatch Freeride World Tour Revelstoke 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 7 January; Location: Revelstoke (CAN)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard
2. Swatch Freeride World Tour Courmayeur-Mont-Blanc 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 19 January; Location: Courmayeur-Mont-Blanc (ITA)
Disciplines: Men's Ski and Snowboard
3. Swatch Freeride World Tour Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 26 January; Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (FRA)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard
4. Swatch Freeride World Tour Kirkwood 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 27 February; Location: Kirkwood (USA)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard
5. Swatch Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 9 March; Location: Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal (AUT)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard
6. Swatch Verbier Xtreme 2013 by The North Face
Dates: 23 March; Location: Verbier (SUI)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard - Blog post
- 7 months ago
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Epic Sturgis: 5 Athletes, 16 H Epic Sturgis: 5 Athletes, 16 Harleys, Dozens Of GoPros, 1 Hell Of A Ride
- From: ericseymour
-
Description:
The author, Eric Seymour, rides a Harley Davidson Softtail Blackline toward Mount Rainier and, ultimately, to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Words by Eric Seymour.
Photos courtesy Harley Davidson and GoPro.
Passing a semi-truck, 100 miles from Sturgis, South Dakota, our 16 motorcycles were in a tight-staggered formation drafting one another at less than one car length. I looked down at my speedometer and the gauge read 120 mph. I was surprised at my speed. The Harley I was riding was ready to pull ahead even faster. Everyone always says, “it’s the journey, not the destination,” but pulling into the motorcycle rally, I thought it might be the destination in this circumstance.
TGR, GoPro and Harley Davidson rally through Mount Rainier National Park with five elite extreme sports athletes.
Teton Gravity Research was invited to cover an epic 1,500-mile motorcycle journey from Seattle, Washington, to Sturgis, South Dakota, sponsored by Harley Davidson and GoPro. The trip was in celebration of Harley Davidson’s 110th anniversary. Joining Max Kuszaj, one of the voices of the Freeskiing World Tour, and four other elite GoPro athletes including three-time X Games gold medalist BMX rider Chad Kagy, kayak freestyle champion and Olympian Eric Jackson, mountain bike film star Aaron Chase, and four-time world mountain bike champion Brian Lopes.
Starting in our hotel parking lot in Seattle, we began getting outfitted with our leathers and checking out our Harley motorcycles. We had 16 big, badass motorcycles that showcased the 2012 line.
I was anxious as I sat in the hotel parking lot getting ready to begin the ride. The mission encompassed riding 1,466 miles, 29 hours of saddle time, and four days to travel from Seattle to Sturgis. Could I ride a Harley? Could I ride this many miles? Was I crazy to embark on this journey with only dirt biking and commuting in Jackson, Wyoming, on a 650cc duel sport as my experience? All doubts vanished as I twisted the throttle on the1500cc Blackline in Mount Rainier National Park, heard the bike roar, and felt the bike accelerate. Riding the Harley was easy. The bikes are big, but they have a low center of gravity and a predictable clutch that instills confidence. I knew I was going to experience the trip of a lifetime.
Entering the Lochsa River Corridor.
The organizers of the journey planned a phenomenal route that took us through national parks, along river drainages, over mountain passes, and the majority of the ride was on two-lane twisty highways. I cannot think of a better way to see the country. Riding by bison in Yellowstone National Park made me feel so small and at the same time very alive. My highlight of the trip was riding over Beartooth Pass in Montana. The road is magnificent with tight turns that zig and zag for a perceived eternity. Huge drop-offs exist on the edge of the road. I was able to release my aggressive nature as I pushed the Harley Sportster in and out of curves with speed and a determination to go faster. At the end of the day, feeling a release of endorphins, I was content knowing that I am going to be a motorcycle rider for life.
Max Kuszaj of the Freeskiing World Tour loves to ride.
Riding a motorcycle gives a person a sense of freedom that is very comparable to skiing. The wind is in your face and accelerating through a corner feels like railing a turn.
“The nicest thing about motorcycles is that it allows me to clear my mind and get on the road,” Max Kuszaj said. “A lot of my ski friends are now getting Harleys. It’s great to get on the road, clear your mind and just ride.”
Before heading to South America to go skiing, Max has another 2500-mile motorcycle ride planned out with his buddies. Max really likes motorcycles.
Riding through a wheat field as the sun sets in Idaho.
Getting to Big Sky, Montana. 
Trading our Harleys for downhill mountain bikes at Big Sky.
Four-time world mountain bike champion Brian Lopes sending at Big Sky.
Wind in the face never felt so good. Riding the Sporster Seventy-Two.
The team goes for an early morning bridge jump into the Gallatin River in Montana. 
Where the buffalo roam: Yellowstone National Park.
Riding out of Cooke City, Montana.
Beartooth Pass. The highlight of my trip.
Sunset on Beartooth Pass. Life never felt so good.
Riding into the sun on Beartooth PassArriving at Sturgis, I was amazed at the pure magnitude of the festival with over 600,000 bikers the town was packed. We had arrived at the motorcycle version of Burning Man, a biker’s Shangri La. Zip lining over a massive crowd with Journey playing “Don’t Stop Believing,” and bikers revving their loud pipes, I felt like I had entered a new world.
“Sturgis is wild,” Max Kuszaj said, “I was not mentally prepared for the madness and the amount of people that are here. It’s something that you need to experience at least once in your lifetime. It’s the best people watching that I have ever seen in my life.”
For me, Sturgis is about seeing the culture and history that has encompassed Harley Davidson for so many years. I appreciated all walks of life. There is a new breed of Harley rider that is young, fit, and wants to ride. As fun as Sturgis was, it was not my highlight of the trip. The winding roads, amazing sunsets, and freedom felt on the bike were my Shangri La. It still is the journey not the destination.
Welcome to Sturgis.
The streets are lined with bikes in Sturgis, South Dakota.
X Games gold medalist Chad Kagy and pro mountain bike freerider, Aaron Chase check out the bikes in Sturgis.
Shotgun!
Don’t stop believing. Journey rocks the house at Sturgis. 
Get on the road and enjoy the ride.
"The top of the pinnacle is a Harley. It’s the American horse, the American legend.” - Max Kuszaj. - Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 601
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News: The North Face Chilean F News: The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championships Canceled
- From: media-75233
-
Description:
Salt Lake City, Utah - The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championships hosted by Ski Arpa, previously scheduled August 22-26, 2012, has been canceled due to unsuitable snow conditions at the designated venue. As a substitute, The North Face Chile will host athletes and competition officials for “Los Andes Down South,” a weeklong experience in Patagonia including ski-touring volcanoes, soaking in hot springs and enjoying Chilean culture.
“We are really bummed Mother Nature is not cooperating this season by providing the conditions we need to host a safe Freeride World Tour (FWT) four-star event at Ski Arpa,” said Ski Arpa Marketing Director Brian Pearson. “We look forward to a continued partnership with FWT and hosting a tour event in 2013.”
The North Face Chile, in partnership with Mountain Sports International, Inc. (MSI), will continue to support top freeriders' pursuits of endless winter by hosting a week of skiing in Chile. Athletes will travel to Antillanca in southern Chile for backcountry skiing around the Puyehue Volcano Zone. The region is one of the snowiest areas of the country and is expecting as much as 40 centimeters (15.75 inches) of snow in the coming days.
"This new plan focuses on the camaraderie and passion for winter that are such key elements of our sport," said FWT Event Director Bryan Barlow of Mountain Sports International. "We are disappointed by the cancellation but sometimes that's how the winter plays out. We need to provide covered venues for the athletes and the central Andes just did not produce in time."
Athletes are urged to contact Julia Jimmerson Mountain Sports International marketing coordinator at jjimmerson@mtsports.com for more information on The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championships cancellation and secondary plan.
- Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 216
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News: IFSA Elects Jason Frazie News: IFSA Elects Jason Frazier As New President, Eric Schmitz As Head Judge
- From: media-75233
-
Description:
Spectators watch as a freeskier competes in a big mountain competition. Photo by Amy Jimmerson/FWT.
Salt Lake City, Utah – Board members of the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) have recently elected a new President for the 2013 season. Jason Frazier of Salt Lake City, Utah, will be overseeing the development of big mountain freeskiing and snowboarding as the new President of the IFSA. Frazier comes to the board of directors after three years of competing on the Freeskiing World Tour as well as an eleven year career in the financial industry, working in market growth and development. With an educational background in economics, accounting and finance from the University of Utah, Frazier is a perfect fit for the Presidential position of the IFSA."I couldn't be more excited to be working with the IFSA. It's an organization that continues to develop and promote the sport of big mountain riding," said Frazier. "My vision for the IFSA is to bring the sport to a whole new level of exposure, while focusing on continued safety and an athlete centered experience." Over the past two years the IFSA and junior freeskiing have flourished under the leadership of Rob Greener. Greener will remain on the board as Vice President and continues to spearhead junior IFSA events.
More changes for 2013 include a new IFSA Head Judge for the season. Eric Schmitz, longtime close friend to former Head Judge, the late Jim Jack, has been elected to this position. Schmitz is a former freeskiing competitor, champion, and multiple title holder.
"We are thrilled that 'Schmidty' [Eric Schmitz] has accepted the position as Head Judge with the IFSA," said Frazier. "Schmidty's commitment to our high standards of consistency and excellence make him a perfect fit to continue the legacy of our previous Head Judge, Jim Jack."
"2012 will forever be remembered as the year we said good bye to our mentor, friend and brother, Jim Jack. May we always keep his passion alive as we celebrate our sport together in the mountains," stated the new President of the IFSA, Jason Frazier.
- Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 295
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News: 2013 Freeride World Qual News: 2013 Freeride World Qualifier Dates And Venues Announced
- From: media-75233
-
Description:
Salt Lake City, USA – As announced last week, the Freeride World Tour, the Freeskiing World Tour and The North Face Masters of Snowboarding have now joined forces in a unified tour named the Swatch Freeride World Tour By The North Face. On the qualifier level, all freeride events around the globe will be united into one worldwide Freeride World Qualifier tour, with events ranked from 1 to 4. Riders will be able to compete anywhere they want, according to their place on the unified world qualifier seeding list.
Qualification:
To qualify for the 2014 Freeride World Tour, FWQ riders will have to be in the top four from their region for ski men, in the top three from their region for ski women and snowboard men, and to be first from their region for snowboard women.
Regions:
The freeride world will be split in two regions:
Region 1: Europe, Asia, Oceania
Region 2: Canada, USA, Chile, ArgentinaRanking list:
There will be one FWQ ranking, taking the best three results of each rider. The ranking list starts at zero every new season.
Seeding list:
The seeding list uses the best three results of each rider during the last 52 weeks. The seeding list is actualized every week. The detailed rules can be found here.
Judging:
The first events of the season will be judged according to last year's Freeride World Tour rules for the New Zealand events, and according to last year's Freeskiing World Tour rules for Chile. A new, unified judging system will be implemented for the northern hemisphere FWQ and FWT events.
Calendar:
August 22-27: FWQ 4*, Ski Only, The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championships, Chile, Ski Arpa
This competition will be a Four-Star event, associated with the Freeride World Tour and a critical opportunity for up and coming athletes to earn points toward their worldwide ranking.
With a $10,000 prize purse, the open event will attract the world’s top freeskiers from around the globe to compete at a backcountry venue only accessible by snowcat and touring.
August 22-27: FWQ 2*, K2 Big Mountain Chill Series, New Zealand, Craigieburn and Mt. Olympus
These events are as much about the athletes as they are the mountain, which makes them local favorites amongst competitors. The mountains just so happen to be freeride meccas and a breeding ground for so many of New Zealand’s top big-mountain skiers and snowboarders.
Both events are Two-Star Freeride World Tour Qualifiers (FWQ) and have $5000 prize pool per event. New terrain is on offer given good conditions and there is already interest from a strong collection of local and international riders. The K2 Big Mtn CHILL Series starts at Mt Olympus on the August 22 and moves to Craigieburn from August 24-26. Check the 2011 videos here and here.
August 30 – September 2: FWQ 2*, Black Diamond Big Mountain Chill Series, New Zealand, Temple Basin.
Check the 2011 video here.September 3 – 8: FWQ 3*, Ski Only, The North Face Big Montain New Zealand Freeski Open, New Zealand, The Remarkables and Trebelcone
Registration has officially opened for the Big Mountain contest of The North Face Freeski Open of New Zealand. A total prize pool of $42,000NZ spread across the three disciplines will certainly entice many international and local freeskiers to sign up to compete at this World Class event.
After a short delay, the registration for the Big Mountain and Three-Star Freeride World Qualifier event is open for all Freeriders looking to shred the gnar in New Zealand.
This is the second year in a row that both the Big Mountain Qualifier and the Finals have been held at The Remarkables, a ski resort close to picturesque Queenstown.
September 10 – 18: To Be Confirmed, FWQ 4*, New Zealand, Mt Ruapehu
Registration
For the Chilean event, registration is on www.freeskiingworldtour.com, click on REG in top menu.For the Chill series, registration can be made both on www.freerideworldtour.org and on www.chillout.co.nz. One event and tour license are mandatory and have to be purchased on www.freerideworldtour.org. Event registration will be paid on www.chillout.co.nz once riders are confirmed.
For the New Zealand Freeski Open, registration, license and inscription are on www.freerideworldtour.org - Blog post
- 10 months ago
- Views: 264
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News: Utah Announces Winter Ac News: Utah Announces Winter Action Sports Series Leading Up To 2014 Olympic Games
- From: TetonGravityResearch
-
Description:
Faye Gulini, snowboardcross athlete ranked 16 in the world, with Utah Governor, Gary Herbert. Photo by Sarah Brunson.
Salt Lake City, Utah – Utah will remain one of the nation’s leading states for winter action sports with today's announcement of five major on-snow events leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The events will have a mix of sanctions at the highest levels of the sport including FIS World Cup, Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) Platinum level and TTR World Snowboard Tour Five Star level.Canyons Resort, Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort will host events in freestyle skiing, freeskiing and snowboarding during both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 competition seasons. The series will culminate with the announcement of the first ever Olympic Freeskiing Team in January, 2014.
"Utah’s resorts have become a hub for action sports, providing both a great atmosphere for Olympic level competitive events as well as a productive environment for long term athlete training. More and more of America’s top winter sports athletes are making our Utah-based Center of Excellence their training base. We’re proud to bring our Visa Freestyle International World Cup and Sprint U.S. Grand Prix events to our home state," says Bill Marolt, President and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.
Economic impact of the events is estimated at $15 million with media value of $5 million. Global TV and digital broadcasts of the events will include NBC, NBC Sports, Universal Sports and others, with a mix of live, taped and streaming coverage.
"Eight years ago I moved to Utah with the dream that I would one day be able to compete in the Olympics for my sport of halfpipe skiing - now that dream is becoming reality. The Olympic culture in Utah truly breeds success and serves as a constant inspiration for me to continue working hard. Winning a World Championship silver medal at Park City in 2011 was one step closer to fulfilling that dream. I look forward to having more events at home to prepare me for the big show in 2014," says Jen Hudak, three-time X Games champion from of Hamden, Connnecticut.
UTAH WINTER ACTION SPORTS SERIES:
2012-2013 Season
December 21-22 – Park City Mountain Resort, Sprint U.S. Grand Prix – halfpipe skiing and snowboarding
January 31-Feb. 2 – Deer Valley Resort, Visa Freestyle International – moguls, dual moguls and aerials
March 1-3 – Canyons Resort, Sprint U.S. Grand Prix – skicross and snowboardcross2013-2014 Season
January – Deer Valley Resort, Visa Freestyle International (freestyle moguls and aerials)
January – Park City Mountain Resort, Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix (halfpipe and slopestyle skiing)
January – Park City Mountain Resort (U.S. halfpipe skiing and slopestyle skiing Olympic Team Announcement)
TBD – Canyons Resort, (U.S. skicross and snowboardcross Olympic Team Announcement) - Blog post
- 10 months ago
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News: Skiing And Snowboarding News: Skiing And Snowboarding See Unified World Tour For 2013, Dates Announced
- From: media-75233
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Description:
Lausanne, Switzerland / Salt Lake City, USA – Event organizers of Swatch Freeride World Tour, Freeskiing World Tour, and The North Face Masters of Snowboarding announced this week a merger that will combine all three tours under one unified, global, five-star championship series. The new six-stop world tour, named the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face, will include freeride skiing and snowboarding at each stop.
Confirmed tour locations include Revelstoke, Canada, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France, Kirkwood, USA, Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal, Austria, and one more stop still to be confirmed, before the World Tour finals in Verbier, Switzerland.
"The union of the three tours is a major step in the sports' growth," said Nicolas Hale-Woods, Freeride World Tour Managing Director Europe. "Not only at the Freeride World Tour level, but also at the qualifying level, with events happening in New Zealand, North and South America, and Europe, all counting toward one unique Freeride World Qualifier ranking, enabling riders from all active areas to qualify for the next season's Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face."
"Big mountain freeriding has a long and rich history with incredibly talented athletes around the world," said Adam Comey, Mountain Sports International President and Freeride World Tour Managing Director Americas. "Now, with two great brands in Swatch and The North Face, and two dedicated organizations in Europe and North America coming together for one mission and one tour, the next chapter of freeride skiing and snowboarding is very bright."
For 2013, start lists will feature qualified athletes from all three of the 2012 tours, as well as from qualifier events (four-star events), along with a limited number of wild card entries from both continents.
"The merger of the two ski tours is a great step for our sport," said 2012 Swatch Freeride World Tour Champion Reine Barkered of Sweden. "It will add even more recognition around the world. For me, as a rider, I'm looking forward to an even more exciting season with a lot of new faces."
American skier Drew Tabke, a long-time competitor and podium leader on both tours, agrees: "Beyond the details of judging, rankings, and format, I'm most excited to see the two tours' top riders compete against one another. The best event last year was the combined event at Revelstoke. This event represented the ideal outcome of this merger of the two tours: A legitimate representation of the world's best riders competing at a world-class venue."
American snowboarder Ralph Backstrom, a title contender on both tours, says, "I couldn't be more stoked to hear that the The North Face Masters and FWT will be combined for next season. I look forward to seeing some more North Americans at the European stops, some more Euros in North America, and an increased talent pool."
In addition to the five-star Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face, there will be around 40 qualifier events (FWQ) around the world, ranging from one to four-stars, for up-and-coming athletes to earn a spot on the next year's FWT. First stops of the four-star FWQ will be in New Zealand and in Chile in August 2012. Riders will score points in two separate rankings, a five-star FWT ranking and a one to four-star FWQ ranking.
The North Face, a long-time supporter of big mountain skiing and snowboarding, the Freeskiing World Tour, and founder of The North Face Masters of Snowboarding, has joined on as presenting sponsor to the new, merged Freeride World Tour.
"The North Face is excited to be a partner in this next generation of freeride competition. Athletes like Ingrid Backstrom and Dana Flahr were able to foster and showcase their talents in this competitive forum and we're looking forward to the expansion of this arena across multiple sports," said Aaron Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing at The North Face. "We take pride in the role our pioneering athletes and innovative products have in both the history and future of action sports. This collaboration signifies our commitment to the continual evolution of freeriding and its athletes."
"It is a great pride to welcome The North Face as presenting partner of Swatch Freeride World Tour. The fit between the two brands is just perfect," said Nicolas Hale-Woods, Freeride World Tour Managing Director Europe.
Along with the addition of The North Face for 2013, long time partner of Freeride World Tour, Swatch is back as title sponsor for the second year, making it possible for a tour of this size to continue to thrive and evolve.
"As a long-term supporter of freeride skiing and snowboarding we're very happy to see the merger of the top European and North American events into the Swatch Freeride World Tour by the North Face. There's nothing more exciting and inspiring than to see top athletes performing at their best, and the six big-mountain venues on the new world tour are spectacular sites for all-out competition at the highest level. We can't wait! [for the season to start]" said Marco Vaccari, Head of Marketing International Swatch Ltd.
Freeride World Tour also welcomes a new FWT supplier: PrimaLoft, key actor of the winter sports industry in terms of comfort and security.
Competition Calendar For Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013:
1. Revelstoke
Dates: 7 - 12 January; Location: Revelstoke (Canada)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard2. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Dates: 26 January - 1 February; Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (France)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard
3. Kirkwood
Dates: 27 February - 3 March; Location: Kirkwood (USA)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard4. Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal
Dates: 9 - 15 March; Location: Fieberbrunn Pillerseetal (Austria)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and Snowboard5. Europe - Location To Be Confirmed
6. Verbier Xtreme
Dates: 23 - 31 March; Location: Verbier (Switzerland)
Disciplines: Men's and Women's Ski and SnowboardChoose From Men Or Women Below To Download The Pre-qualified, Invited Athlete List:
- Blog post
- 10 months ago
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News: Ski Apra Cat Skiing To H News: Ski Apra Cat Skiing To Host The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championship
- From: media-75233
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Description:
SALT LAKE CITY - July 12, 2012 - The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championships will return to Ski Arpa Cat Skiing, August 22-26, for the second consecutive year. With a $10,000 prize purse, the open event will attract the top freeskiers from around the globe to compete on a backcountry venue only accessible by snowcat and touring. An hour drive from Los Andes, Chile, the venues at Ski Arpa - located in the shadow of Cerro Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas - are truly world-class.
This competition will be a 4-star event, associated with the Freeride World Tour and a critical opportunity for up and coming athletes to earn points towards their worldwide ranking.
"Ski Arpa is one of those venues that you truly can't appreciate unless you're there - jumping into cats, doubling on snowmobiles, and ripping massive 3,000-foot fresh lines with friends from around the world," said FWT Event Director Bryan Barlow of Mountain Sports International. "This event and location brings all of the best qualities in big mountain skiing, traveling, and competing together to create an unrivaled adventure experience. This competition truly shows that a top level freeride event can be held in a backcountry setting."
The North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championship will be an open event, and will be based on a seeding list from 2012 FWQ results. There are approximately 50 total available spots for men and women. Registration opens Wednesday, July 18, at 2 p.m. MST on www.freeskiingworldtour.comFor updates, visit:
www.freeskiingworldtour.comAbout The North Face Chile
The North Face, the outdoor market leader always innovating to continue to inspire its consumers to never stop exploring, meet in this championship to the international elite of freeride skiing. The brand will be represented by the outstanding athletes of the team The North Face, winner of the 2010 tour Griffin Post (USA), Jacqui Edgerly (USA), Drew Tabke (USA) and the Chileans Cristóbal "Poplar" Diaz "and his sister Soledad Diaz , which also earned podium during the date 2009. They leave their energy in the high jump cliffs to try to win the title of the Andes in this global celebration of snow sports.
About Ski Arpa
Ski Arpa is South America's only true snowcat-serviced ski resort, and it is well-known for deep powder and sweeping views of the Andes mountain range, including the Western Hemisphere's highest mountain, Mount Aconcagua, only 15 miles away. Ski Arpa is comprised entirely of backcountry terrain, and skiers choose their own line. There are two valleys: Valle El Arpa has four expansive snow bowls, with steep headwalls, chutes and wide-open runs; Valle La Honda, on the back side of Arpa Valley, is a wide-open snow bowl with approximately 3,000 acres of intermediate to expert terrain. Ski Arpa is entirely above tree line. Ski Arpa's partner company Santiago Adventures is responsible for all sales and marketing and the organization of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour. For information and reservations contact the Ski Arpa & Santiago Adventures offices in Santiago, Chile at 562-244 2750 or in the US at 802-904-6798 www.skiarpa.com.
About Mountain Sports International (MSI)
Mountain Sports International (MSI) is a private company, founded in 1997, to develop and produce action/adventure sports events and programming in North America. MSI owns and produces the Freeskiing World Tour, in addition to several other properties and concepts including The North Face Masters of Snowboarding. MSI launched MSI Live in 2009, to provide live HD webcast production, content management, encoding, and satellite uplink & delivery. MSI provides event management services, infrastructure and expertise for high-end brands, including The North Face, Burton, Red Bull, Subaru, UFC, and Sierra Nevada. MSI specializes in matching clients with events for brand penetration into target demographics, developing product identification and loyalty. MSI matches brand and culture, company and credibility, to create sought-after events that help to define the action sports culture. For more information, visit www.mtsports.com. - Blog post
- 10 months ago
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Interview: Angel Collinson On Interview: Angel Collinson On Filming With TGR In Alaska
- From: brigidmander
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Description:
Angel Collinson hangs out at the Northern Chugach Mountains while filming with Teton Gravity Research for its newest movie, The Dream Factory. Photo by Adam Clark.
Angel Collinson has been on the rise ever since she came on the big-mountain ski scene a few years ago. At 21 years old, she has won the Freeskiing World Tour in 2010, 2011 and came in second overall this past season. The industry has taken note, including the Teton Gravity Research production team. This year, TGR took Angel up to the biggest venue of all – Alaska – to film for our newest movie, The Dream Factory.
We caught up with her to find out how it was to shred with skiers she grew up admiring, what she has planned for women’s freeskiing, and why she may forgo a ski trip to South America to bang nails at home in Utah.
On the opportunity to film with TGR in Alaska:
I got the call from TGR this January asking if I'd like to film with them. I was already committed to a full season of big mountain competitions, but filming with TGR has always been a dream of mine and I wanted to make both agendas work. The first trip was with Erik Roner up to Haines, Alaska. It was cool to have a small group, and Erik was really great with tips and advice to help me feel more comfortable in the new situation of heli-skiing and filming. Because of my busy comp schedule, I could only be up there for a week. I still learned a lot.
On Alaska, round II:
The other trip I took with TGR was up in the Northern Chugach, flying out of the Knik River Lodge, with Dana [Flahr], Seth [Morrison] and Sage [Cattabriga-Alosa]. By the time Dana and I got up there in mid-April, a lot of the snow was good, [but] it wasn't good enough to be filmable. It has to be almost perfect. It was frustrating, and we didn't ski that gnarly of lines. That being said, we still got to ski some sick lines, and the last day we were up there were the biggest lines we had skied yet.
On showing up ready to charge on a new stage:
My racing background has laid out a really good foundation for strong technique, so when I'm on top of something gnarly, I'm excited and confident, ready to fire it up.
Looking at all the [AK] terrain, I thought to myself: "I know I can ski that, and ski it fast and well too, if the conditions were right," and knowing that definitely made me recognize where I've come to in my skiing, looking up at huge lines knowing they are definitely within my ability. I feel like I have been training my whole life for Alaska lines.
Angel Collinson rips a line in Alaska's Northern Chugach Mountains. Photo by Adam Clark.
On stepping it up to the next level:
I am going to transition into other travel and film projects [instead of competition]. It's hard to improve your skiing when you are traveling and competing all the time — you don't have a lot of training time. I can't wait to actually have time to improve, and my focus is on working on tricks and bigger airs. Once I feel like I can confidently throws tricks off of most cliffs and consistently stomp big airs, I might do a comp here and there — those are the things that I want to bring into the competition field.
On moving out of the parents house:
Well, my brother John and I are still living in Little Cottonwood Canyon with the fam, spending every day building a house as a family at the mouth of Little Cottonwood. Our goal is to have the house done by the fall, and then John and I will move in together. I can't wait to share a house with just him. He's always been my best bud and favorite person to ski with.
Yesterday I was taking down ski posters and magazine cutouts from the room I lived in since I was little, and there were all these pics of Sage, Seth, and Dana. It was crazy to be like, I was looking at these pics when I was 10 years old and getting fired up, and now I just got done with an AK trip filming with them! A dream come true.
On appreciating - and accomplishing - life:
While it's cool to have a lot of distinguished accomplishments, if you didn't have fun while doing them, to me they are not as meaningful. And on the flipside, maybe you didn't really accomplish anything but look back on the time period and it brings warmth to your heart and you feel like you are really ALIVE. To me, that's a success, and something to be proud of — to look back at accomplishments, or lack of, and say, "Yeah. I'm doing it! I'm living, I'm happy, and I appreciate everything I got." To come out of a season feeling like that is what I'm the proudest of. - Blog post
- 1 year ago
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