The Taos Winter Sports Team (TWST) traveled to their first International Free Skiers Association (IFSA) event of the season at Wolf Creek on Saturday (Jan. 27). The field featured nearly 100 ski and snowboard athletes competing in under 12 (U12), 12-14 (U15), or 15-18 (U19) age divisions.
Competitors loaded the lifts at 8 a.m. under bluebird skies and headed for the Treasure Lift to inspect the competition venue. The venue was perched on the top of Alberta Peak, which required the athletes to hike to the start — providing them with a suitable warmup.
Bryn Montano and Greta Schilling were the first Taos competitors at the starting line. Montano skied a line that would most likely have put her on the podium, but she was grabbed just before the finish by the dreaded "snow snake," the nonexistent creature skiers blame when they fall down for no apparent reason on the slopes. Schilling earned a second place for U12 girls.
Taos athletes Ava Wannamaker, Ian McLean, Grey Elsasser, Shaemus Campbell, Hank Scanlan, and Cullen McLean stacked the U15 age division. McLean also had an unexpected fall, while Campbell produced a big jump but did not stick his landing.
In the U15 division, Taos boys Grey Elsasser earned a first-place finish, followed by Ian McLean in second place and Hank Scanlan in 12th place. Ava Wannamaker earned a sixth-place finish for the girls.
Two Taos athletes, Mara Campbell and Ari Kolman, competed in the U19 division, with sixth place for Campbell, who was skiing in her first competition. This was also the first "real" Freeride competition ever for U12 girls Greta Schilling (who placed second), and Bryn Montano.
Ari Kolman, who initially felt a bit disappointed by his run, finished fifth in a strong field of U19 boys.
"We are so happy with the results from the first Freeride competition of the season," coach Andrea Krejci said after runs were complete. "We knew our athletes were looking strong, but you never know how it will hold up compared to other teams."
"Having our U15 boys take first and second sets a pretty good precedent for the rest of the season," Krejci added. "They showed everyone they are ready to take on more of these competitions."
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