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The 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open, the largest and most respected contest in freeskiing, completed the third day of competition in Copper Mountain, Colorado today with the men's and women's Slopestyle contests. Jon Olsson of Sweden took first in men's Slopestyle, claiming the $7,000 prize, while Anna Segal of Aspen, Colo. placed first in women's division carrying a $2,500 prize.
Men's
1. Jon Olsson, Sweden, $7,000
2. PK Hunder, Norway, $4,000
3. Andreas Hatveit, Norway, $2,000
4. Sean Decker, Mammoth Lakes, CA, $1,000
Women's
1. Anna Segal, Aspen, CO
2. Michelle Parker, Olympic Valley, CA
3. Kristi Leskinen, Hopwood, PA
4. Maiko Hara, Japan
The Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open, the largest and most respected contest in freeskiing, completed competition in Copper Mountain, Colorado today with the men's and women's Superpipe events, following Friday's Slopestyle finals and Saturday's Big Air contest. Tanner Hall of Park City, UT took first in men's Superpipe, claiming the $7,000 prize, while Grete Eliassen of Holladay, UT placed first in the women's division carrying a $2,500 prize.
"Copper Mountain had a lot of positive energy," said Skiing magazine Editor Pieter van Noordennen. "This was a great way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Freeskiing Open."
The largest cash prize of the contest, $10,000, went to Charles Gagnier for his first place finish in the nighttime Big Air invitational on Saturday. Jon Olsson of Sweden claimed $7,000 for his first place finish in the Slopestyle competition, and Anna Segal of Aspen, Colo. won $2,500 in the women's Slopestyle event, both on Friday.
Men's
1. Tanner Hall, Park City, UT, $7,000
2. Matt Philipi, Breckenridge, CO, $4,000
3. Colby West, Canterbury, N.H., $2,000
4. Charles Gagnier, Quebec, Canada, $1,000
Women's
1. Grete Eliassen, Holladay, UT, $2,500
2. Roz Groenwood, Calagay, Canada, $1,500
3. Angeli VanLaanen, Bellingham, WA, $1,000
4. Jess Cumming, Wiltion, CT, $500
The 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open, the largest and most respected contest in freeskiing, completed a fourth day of competition in Copper Mountain, Colorado today with the exciting nighttime Big Air contest. The competition took place under the lights, followed by a live performance from popular Colorado band Rose Hill Drive. Charles Gagnier, of Quebec, took first place with a switch 1260 nosetail double grab, claiming the $10,000 prize, while Jacob Weston, of Sweden, placed second for a $5,000 prize with a double flat spin 900.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 2007 Jeep U.S. Freeskiing Open features more than 300 of freeskiing's top and up and coming athletes competing for a $60,000 purse in three disciplines: Slopestyle, Superpipe and Big Air.
Men's
1. Charles Gagnier, Quebec, Canada, $10,000
2. Jacob Wester, Sweden, $5,000
3. Sammy Carlson, Mt. Hood, Oregon, $1,500
4. T.J. Schiller, BC, Canada, $1,000
Yes, I am finally the local at the ski area that is getting dumped on. “Heavies” from all around are coming to my mountain to shred. After many seasons of finding the area with the lowest base totals—and the fewest powder days—I want to stick out my tongue, put my thumbs in my ears and wiggle my fingers. Crystal Mountain,Washington is the place to be this winter.
I grew up in Tacoma, skiing mostly at Crystal. I really got into skiing when I was 17—that season and the one after that were all about the brown room. “I’m getting out of here,” I said to myself, and moved to Colorado in ‘98 with visions of powder that ski bums in Summit Country actually witnessed in the early 90’s. Like Murphy says, my freshman year at Colorado College fell on a dry, sunny winter. And of course Washington was drowning in powder (Baker set the world record for snowfall). I was homesick.
Three years later I finished school early so I could ski everyday during the ‘02-‘03 season I moved into the Rustler Lodge at Alta only to endure another dry, low-snow winter. The next season brought the same. Where was all this Utah champagne? By deciding to move to Whistler in 2004, I subjected myself to one of the wettest, warmest, Pacific Northwest winters ever. In December and January, black garbage bags were my clothing article of choice, and we skied in the rain for five weeks straight until finally packing our bags and hitting the road for the freeskiing contest circuit. I had come to grips with my destiny – I was not meant to be a powder hound.
As every good hero, I have now risen from the depths of despair to find glory and euphoria in the endless powder at Crystal Mountain. I have been able to share my good karma with many visitors. The Utah crew, the Jackson crew, and the Tahoe crew have all come to experience Crystal Mountain at its best, and there is still more for them to explore. I giggle every time I see their eyes widen at the vast terrain and infinite options of rowdiness. Rachel Burks, standing at the top of Northway Peak, squeaked out “This is your home mountain?” before flashing one of my favorite lines with grace and style. It may be redundant to say the Northwest is going off this year, but I just have to toot my horn, as anyone does who hits the right place at the right time.
I would like to tell all the snow-hungry shredders out there who are mowing their lawns under high-pressure systems, that I have been there before. I feel your pain. So you are all invited to come up to Crystal, the little area that rocks. -Laura Ogden