Alyeska Freeride Team | Glacier City Gazette
19839
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-19839,single-format-image,_masterslider,_ms_version_3.5.3,qode-listing-1.0.1,qode-social-login-1.0,qode-news-1.0,qode-quick-links-1.0,qode-restaurant-1.0,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode_grid_1400,side_area_uncovered_from_content,qode-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,qode-theme-ver-12.1,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.0.5,vc_responsive

Alyeska Freeride Team

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo U12s at top of The Throne with Rainier in the background
Archives

Alyeska Freeride Team

by

By Josh Hegna, Alyeska Freeride U12 Coach
Special to Glacier City Gazette

“The Alyeska Freeride team represented Alaska well at the at the IFSA Crystal Regional competition. Our crew showed everything they have learned at their home mountain by laying down big technical lines with strong skiing and earning podium spots in almost every group.”
-Connor Michael, Head Coach of Alyeska Freeride Team

Freeride athletes ski or snowboard from the top of a venue to a finish corral. They are scored by judges on line choice, fluidity, control, technique, and energy/style. At the Crystal comp, held on Mar. 9, athletes hiked to The Throne- a spicy zone loaded with steep chutes, cliffs and trees. A foot of fresh snow, bluebird skies and Mount Rainier in the background made for an excellent venue.

Our 12-14 and 15-18 males absolutely crushed it. Both of these divisions were stacked with 36 rowdy athletes per group. They set themselves apart from the field by sweeping the 12-14 age group and three local Girdwood boys taking spots 2-4 in the always rowdy male 15-18 group.

Girdwood fifth grader Carson Hawes won the Spirit Award for his creative line choice and positive attitude. When asked if he wanted to say anything to the crowd at the award ceremony, Carson humbly replied, “I just enjoyed being here at Crystal.”

Results (Alyeska Freeride Athletes)

Ski Female U12
4. Rebecca Tyler
5. Paxson Hegna

Ski Male U12
3. Carson Hawes
5. Henry Lantz

Ski Male U14
1. Paul Melchert
2. Aven Elsberg
3. Kai Hegna
4. (tie) Chance Newell & Kai Coleman

Ski Female 15-18
3. Raquelle Melchert
5. Kikken Schleusner

Ski Male 15-18
2. Nolan Quigley
3. McQuade Ellis
4. Cache Bridges

Snowboard Male 15-18
2. Quinn Porter

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo U12s at top of The Throne with Rainier in the background

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo
U12s at top of The Throne with Rainier in the background

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo Carson Hawes (R) won the Spirit Award.

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo
Carson Hawes (R) won the Spirit Award.

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo Alyeska U14s sweep the podium.

Josh Hegna / courtesy photo
Alyeska U14s sweep the podium.

Share: