Freeski Athletes Take Home Every Gold Medal Available at Home Big Mountain IFSA Competition in Steamboat
McKenzie Maines, Paddock Whitten, Ellie Reynolds, and Gavin Murphy all place 1st on Sunday

On Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, SSWSC hosted the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) Big Mountain competitions at Steamboat Ski Resort and SSWSC freeski athletes took home every available gold medal for the skiing division and picked up some other hardware too. IFSA is the governing organization of Big Mountain competitions for skiers and snowboarders of all ages.

On Sunday, January 21, on the East Face at Steamboat Ski Resort, the SSWSC U15 freeski team women started the day strong with a run by McKenzie Maines and a huge double drop to win the competition and take the top step of the podium. Teammate Molly Grady slid into third with a charging run highlighted by a drop-off the shoulder of Million Dollar Rock. SSWSC U15 freeski team men also took the day by storm, with Paddock Whitten taking the win and teammate Vander Zuck in second place. Paddock and Vander charged the double drop with enough fury to turn it into a massive single send. SSWSC U19 skier Ellie Reynolds also had a stellar finish on the home mountain, taking the win for the day for the U19 women. She took a small drop in the top of the venue and continued the momentum of a beautiful turn into a huge send. U19 skier Gavin Murphy won the men’s division with some style across the top with a small feature hit leading into a sneaky line through the trees of the double drop, finishing with a massive drop and big stomp.

BIG MOUNTAIN COMPETITION SSWSC RESULTS
U19 Women (15-18) - Ellie Reynolds 1st place
U19 Men (15-18) - Gavin Murphy 1st, Thomas Agosta 5th place
U15 Men (12-14) - Paddock Whitten 1st place, Vander Zuck 2nd place, Mason Stewart 5th place
U15 Women (12-14) - McKenzie Maines 1st Place, Molly Grady 3rd Place.

Photo:
McKenzie Maines, right
Paddock Whitten, left