New Blood Headed To Winter X
Breckenridge, Colorado's spring-like temperatures, bluebird skies, and a perfectly groomed superpipe and slopestyle course provided the ideal venue for the 2004 Paul Mitchell X Qualifier, the last chance for more than 200 athletes to prove they've got what it takes to compete against the best skiers in the world at this year's Winter X. Skiers ranging from 11-year-old Sean Petitt to freestyle veteran Chris Hawks battled for the four remaining Slopestyle and three remaining SuperPipe berths to Winter X VIII to be held Jan. 24-27, 2004 in Aspen, CO. Fans of freeskiing will recognize most of the names of this year's qualifiers. But if they're new to you, take note because by this time next year, these boys are likely to be household names.
In the slopestyle final, Carrabassett Valley Academy (ME) junior Dan Marion put down the two best runs of the day to claim his first trip to Winter X. His smooth, stylie flatspin 720s and corked 900s put him on top of the podium. Peter Olenick of Aspen, CO took second with a solid first run that included a switch 900. Silas Miller also of CVA, and Niklas Karlstrom of Sweden snagged coveted trips to Aspen placing third and fourth respectively.
The superpipe contest followed the slopestyle final, and amplitude was the rule. The final saw the top six skiers throw enormous technical tricks. Canadian Phil Belanger gave the crowd a taste of what they'll get at Winter X, laying down two runs full of consistently huge amplitud e and 900s to take the top of the podium. Phil was already qualified for Winter X, so second place skier and fellow Canadian Chris Turpin claimed the first SuperPipe berth by launching a lofty flair and 900 and then skiing the bottom half of the pipe switch. Chris is also qualified to compete in Slopestyle at Winter X. Peter Olenick and Niklas Karlstrom topped off their dream days by qualifying for their second WX disciplines in three hours, placing third and fourth respectively. All of the skiers who qualified for Winter X events in Breckenridge (including Turpin) will attend Winter X for the first time.
Slopestyle Results:
1. Dan Marion
2. Peter Olenick
3. Silas Miller
4. Niklas Karlstrom
5. Chas Waters
6. Phil Belanger
Superpipe Results:
1. Phil Belanger (Pre-qualified)
2. Chris Turpin
3. Peter Olenick
4. Niklas Karlstrom
5. J.P. Solberg
6. Rory Bushfield
(New Winter X VIII qualifiers in bold.) -Jackie Baker
