The North American Freeskiing
Championships at Kirkwood - Sponsored by Subaru
3/3/10
- This will be the earliest we've had the event at Kirkwood and we are
rewarded with a full on winter storm, which looks to be followed by
sunny skies. Due to the recent heavy snows (the woods having
another huge season), we don't have any good imagery like last year. In
fact, I'm very curious to see wahat the venues are going to look like.
At least for Vista, you can pretty much use last years pics to see
where the rocks are lurking underneath, but I don't think it will look
much like that. I'll try and have cirque pics up after tomorrows
events, as long as there is light to shoot.
Since I'm also competing this year, we'll also have at least one run's worth of helmet cam footage (hopefully more).
3/17/09 - The Freeskiing Championship is back at Kirkwood
for the 2008-2009 season. The dates are March 19-23, 2009. The corral
is the perfect place to watch this event and Kirkwood's food and
beverage team will be on hand to help sustain the fun. Come on out. You
won't regret it. New for this year, MSI will make video coverage of the
event available live online. Naturally, we will also provide extensive
coverage with video, as well as still images.
Competitors
Video Page - View videos of competitors runs, as well as some
feature type things (after a few days).
If yours isn't up and you want it, just ask.
Lookout
Vista Interactive Viewer - Go over your line with this
interactive viewer of the qualifier venue, with pictures all taken
3/17/09.
The
Cirque (Lookers Right) Interactive Viewer - Go over your line
with this interactive viewer of the qualifier venue, with pictures all
taken 3/17/09.
Freeskiing
World Tours Kirkwood Event Page
4/03/07
- This year's contest once again drew praise from all the contestants
as their favorite event of the year. While snow conditions have been
poor in many of this year's contests, Kirkwood once again showed why we
love it so much. Two feet of light dry pow fell the days before the
qualifier, but bluebird conditions prevailed from Wednesday thru
Saturday as winter snow turned to silky corn (with some funk in
between). Wednesday brought high winds, so Kirkwood provided their cat
skiing operation to get the competitors up the mountain. Friday brought
fantastic conditions for both the crowds and the skiers. The snow was
good enough that the skiers were able to go big and thrill the crowds,
which were large all week. Chris
Tatsuno had the run of a lifetime going when he fell at the
bottom of the venue. Cory Zila finished in first with many of the
world's top skiers just behind him. The ladies proved that it was worth
it to get there early for all the action. Saturday again brought blue
skies and great conditions. Guerlin Chicherit put together two superb
runs to move all the way from 27th into 2nd place. But it was local
favorite Craig Garbiel that skied fast aggressive lines on his way back
on top of the podium here for his second victory in three years. For
the women Laura Ogden needed only to ski a clean line in the
superfinals since much of the competition had falls in their superfinal
runs. Check out the videos.
When you're done looking at them, head on over to usfreeskiing.com's
new video player for more action. While you're there, check
some of the other events to get an idea why the competitors like
Kirkwood so much.
3/22/07 -
Below are some pictures of the Cirque as it stands now, the week before
the event. The last small storm was followed by an east wind which has
left firm conditions over the upper half of the mountain. The current
forecast is for a pretty decent storm in early in the week
(Monday-Tuesday).
2006
Pictures
of the Cirque - March 29, 2006
It was another fantastic event with a nice dump right in the middle
letting the athletes go huge in the finals. The Canucks finished atop
the French with 2005's champion Craig Garbiel, finishing fourth.
On a very sad note, Sick Bird winner Tobias Lee fell victim to an
avalanche outside Mt Baker just 2 1/2 weeks after the contest. Video
of Tobias' Sick Bird winning runs
2005
Click here for very
large photo of the cirque update 3/21/05.
4/7/05 - Kirkwood riders Craig Garbiel and Josh Daiek thrilled the
throngs in the corral with huge air and aggressive line selections all
weekend in the Cirque. At the end, only Craig stood atop the podium
largely as a result of one of the finest runs the contest has ever
seen. The crowds on Saturday were the largest I have seen in 4 years
watching this spectacle and they had plenty to cheer for. The weather
held long enough that there was time for a superfinal with the eleven
best men. This was basically a formality though as Craig Garbiel only
had to ski without falling after his 40.2 on the first run of the day.
Check out our photo galleries where we have at least one pic from all
the skiers on Sunday.
Click here for photos from day
one of the 2005 competition - Finals - Results
or check out biglines.com for some photos
from Re Wikstrom (website)
and some video too.
The contest will be featured on the Jeep
World Adventure of Sports on December 17th at 3pm eastern.
I'm not sure if that means noon here or not. Check your local listings.
2/14/05 -
Each year, something special happens in the Cirque at Kirkwood. This
year is no different as the North American Freeskiing Championships are
back in town. March 31st will be the qualifier on Lookout Vista. April
1st & 2nd will be in the Cirque, with the 3rd being a weather
day. The venue is amazing, not only for the terrain, but also because
it sets up so well for viewing. The corral,
which lies between Lookout Vista, the Cirque, and Eagle Bowl, provides
an excellent view of the competition. Many folks show up with hibachis
and coolers and make a day out of it. That's not necessary though as
Kirkwood sets up a BBQ and has kegs on hand.
    
Click on images to view much larger details. We'll be sure to current
images of the cirque as the 2005 Championships near.
Below are images of folks getting ready for the contest on 3-28-05 in
Upper Chamois and Big Jim's. This has been one fantastic March with a
Sunny forecast for the contest. Its looking to be the best ever.
Back to Kirkwood page. Visit USFreeskiing.com.
The event also goes by these names.
Freeskiing World Tour Finals
US Freeskiing Series Finals
Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships
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