IFSA U-25 Freeride Comp
Grand Targhee kicked off the competition season last weekend with the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association’s (IFSA) U-25 Freeride comp held on Peeked’s Reliable venue. Mostly sunny weather allowed for good visibility and the field of 80 skiers and snowboarders took full advantage of a venue with lots of features. We saw mostly smart, calculated riding on Saturday as the athletes tried to qualify for day two finals on Sunday. A little less than half the field qualified for the finals and the pressure was on for the remaining riders to lay down strong runs and impress the judges on the final day.
In the Female Snowboarder category local talent Amber Nelson took home the top spot edging Brigit Noon of the Montana Freeski Team by .43 points. The top Male Snowboarders laid down smooth runs and Peter Noon of Western State Colorado University took the top spot beating out his teammate Joey Odneal by a little more than a point.
The Female Skiers put on a show and Camilla Loughlin beat out Laura Gaylord (2nd) and Josie Bryon (3rd) for first with a technical and smooth run. In the Male Skiers Max Durtschi of Western State impressed the judges with a controlled double up top and an overall fluid run to take home the win. Essex Prescott barley edged Isaac Freeland for second and Pierce Whalen of Westminster College won the Sickbird award for a creative and styled out run.
