The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“It’s kind of a balancing act”
The Crested Butte Mountain Sports Team (CBMST) hit the road this past weekend for big mountain freeskiing events in Grand Targhee, Wyo. and Breckenridge, Colo.
Unfortunately, the Grand Targhee trip proved fruitless as the competition was cancelled once the team got there. But, back in Colorado the CBMST team saw success at the Breckenridge GoPro Big Mountain Challenge, an IFSA regional event.
The two-day event took the young athletes to the highest venue for a freeskiing event as they skied off the top of Peak 6 at 12,500 feet. It also so happens that thanks to a recent small storm and the north facing aspect, the skiers were treated to relatively favorable conditions.
“The venue was probably holding some of the only good resort snow in the state,” says CBMST coach Mark Robbins.
The venue also allowed for the athletes to show off a variety of talents, with a steep start that opened up into a face with a variety of features.
“The top was probably 50 degrees with wind buff on it and was a place for them to show good technical skiing. There were airs at the bottom that allowed the kids to open it up,” says Robbins.
The CBMST had seven athletes at Breckenridge with three competing in the 15-18 year old age group and four in the 12-14 year old class.
Prior to day one there was clear advice for all of the CBMST athletes handed down by Robbins and additional coach Pip Hunt.
“Day one is a balance between if you fall you’re definitely out of the finals but if you’re too conservative, you finish too far down for the final day,” explains Robbins. “It’s kind of a balancing act and finding the appropriate line.”
Turner Petersen had the top result among the older skiers on day one finishing in fifth place while Conrad Truettner continues to carry the telemark ski torch alongside the alpine skiers, placing sixth and also moving on to the finals.
Kye Matlock led the younger kids finishing the day in first place to advance along with Dane DeFrates, while the three CBMST suffered mishaps on their qualifying run to fall below the cut.
With four CBMST athletes lining up for the final day, chances were good for a Crested Butte podium showing. Matlock was the lone podium showing as he mimicked his line from day one just faster and bigger to take the 12-14 year old tile.
In the older division, Petersen threw a ski mid-run but Truettner recovered from a bobble early in his run to finish strong and place in the top 10.
“That was his third top ten, which are good, consistent results against the alpine skiers.”
Depending on snow conditions and final rankings, a couple CBMST athletes may have one more event the week after the ski area closes when the IFSA hosts the junior Nationals championships.
