The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“Pamela Senderson and Bladid Hasselhoff were two of our biggest inspirations”
By Than Acuff
It’s as if it’s meant to happen. Endorsed not only by Mother Nature but perhaps even the Good Lord as well, or whichever God you choose to follow. I speak of the Snowblade Extremes of course as an assembly of willing and ready extreme athletes were treated to ample snow and a clear sky for a showcase throwdown on Big Chute on Saturday, April 1.
And, just like every race is different in the Grand Traverse, the same can be said for the Snowblade Extremes. For the first time ever in the esteemed history of the event, a woman took the overall title. And not just any woman, but two women as Bladewatch Lifegnards Abby Philbrick and Amanda Whiteford shared the 2023 Snowblade Extreme title.
“It feels incredible,” says Philbrick. “As a former ski racer and ski coach, I’ve had some podiums before but this one takes the cake. My mother is very proud.”
“I told my mom immediately and she was also very proud,” adds Whiteford. “My father leaves a little bit more to be desired with his proudness.”
It was a risky idea for the two athletes. They both have women’s titles in their past but teamed up to go for it together unconcerned with the chance that teaming up might cause trouble.
“We just wanted to honor and protect the spirit of the blade and send it for the hell of it,” says Philbrick. “We tried to make a plan, but there was no plan.”
One thing is for sure, they looked far and wide, past their peers at the top of Big Chute, before they found their inspiration on that sunny Saturday.
“Pamela Senderson and Bladid Hasselhoff were two of our biggest inspirations,” says Whiteford.
It was no walk in the park though as not only were the likes of nine-time champion Ben Blackwood, last year’s champion Lawson Yow and multi-podium finisher Montana Wiggins throwing down, but other dynamic duos put up a fight only to get the Lifegnard smackdown when all was said and done.
“Rihanna and Lawblade’s unborn blade baby really stole the show and I can tell that kid rips already,” says Philbrick.
“Kenzie LiSend and her male consort both went really big, but none were a match for the Lifegnards,” says Whiteford.
With the title comes the spoils and both Bladies have been committed to letting everyone know since the win on Saturday the only way they know how.
“By telling everybody we possibly can, going to the bar with the belt of course,” says Philbrick. “Soak in the victory and make sure everybody knows.”
“That’s the most important part,” adds Whiteford. “We’re the Queens, and the Kings.”
Having kicked the door down for Bladies in the Snowblade world, Philbrick offers some advice for up and coming Bladies.
“Don’t be nervous or intimidated,” says Philbrick. “You can have just as good a stache and bladeness as any dude.”
