Flathead Valley ski racers, freeriders have thrilling competitions

Castle Mountain Resort hosted the Junior 2* International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association competition, where young athletes from across the region showcased their skills in a thrilling two-day event. The competition kicked off with day one qualifiers on Sheriff and Outlaw, with Flathead Freeride athletes delivering standout performances. 

Hana Fassnacht secured third place in the U15 Women’s division, while Oliver Hoppes and Landon Campbell claimed second and third, respectively, in the U15 Men’s category. Oakley Tunison also impressed, finishing fifth in the U19 Men’s division. 

The finals were held on High Rustler, known as one of the longest junior regional venues, featuring a sustained pitch and challenging open alpine terrain. The demanding course tested even the most seasoned competitors, but Flathead Freeride athletes rose to the occasion. Both Fassnacht and Campbell advanced in the standings, each moving from third to second place in their respective divisions on finals day. 

“This was a big alpine venue which the athletes don’t ski every day at Big Mountain, so it was great to see both Landon and Hana find their landmarks and ski strong,” said Flathead Freeride Coach Kyle Taylor. 

The Flathead Freeride Club travels to a 3* National Competition at Lake Louise this week and to Alyeska, Alaska, March 3-5.   

WHILE THE Flathead Freeride Club was competing at Castle Mountain, FVSEF had three different age groups racing. The U18s were at Mount Norquay, Alberta. Sun Valley, Idaho, hosted the U16s, and Red Lodge, Montana, hosted races for the U8, U10, U12, U14 age groups.

Three U18 athletes from FVSEF competed in two GS and two SL races at Mount Norquay in a deep field, made up primarily of Canadians that included U21 and senior athletes.  

Greta Lund had a pair of 27th place finishes in GS and SL. Parker Retz finished well in the two SLs in 21st and 23rd, and Diego Bougard-Duncan recorded a 38th in a GS and a 35th in a SL. Retz qualified to compete in the U18 National Championships in Mittersill, New Hampshire, early next month, and Lund, along with her teammate Syndey McPhie, have both qualified for the Western Region Junior Championships in Grand Targhee in March. 

The Sun Valley series included two Giant Slaloms and two Slaloms and was one of several race series this winter that count towards qualifying U16 Northern Division athletes to Western Regional Championships at Sugar Bowl, California, and the Tri-Divisional Championships at Snowbasin, Utah, in late March.  

Despite a high rate of Did Not Finish results, FVSEF racers also had several podiums within the Northern Division athletes, with Claire Graham finishing first for Northern Division in one of the GSs and one of the SL races. Kira Paatalo finished third for Northern Division in one of the GS races, and Finlee Klocke was the third Northern Division racer in one SL race.  

FVSEF’s Development Team members travelled to Youth Ski League races in Red Lodge with Coach Dave Boye. Riley Ralston-Love found the podium in the GS with a third for U12 boys, and Zoey Du Lac had a strong SL race, finishing third in SL for U14 girls. Quinn Laabs, the youngest competitor at the race series, won both the GS and SL for U8 girls.  

Sun Valley Results for GS1, GS2, SL1, SL2 

U16 Northern Division Girls 

Avery Retz 7th, 9th, 5th, 10th; Sierra Nelson 9th, 10th, DNF, 5th; Claire Graham DNF, 1st, 1st, DNF; Kira Paatalo DNF, 3rd, DNF, DNF; Finlee Klocke DNF, DNF, DNF, 3rd; Freya Wilson DNF, DNF, DNF 8th 

U16 Northern Division Boys 

Grayson Galle 14th, 13th, DNF, DNF; Cristiano Wright DNF, DNF, 10th, 9th 

Red Lodge YSL Race Results for GS, SL 

Quinn Laabs 1st, 1st U8 Girls; Parker Laabs 4th, 6th U10 Girls; Ainsley Crawford 8th in U12 Girls GS; Molly Waier 28th, 23rd in U12 Girls; Zoey Du Lac 3rd in U14 Girls SL; Riley Ralston-Love 3rd, 4th U12 Boys; Henryk Hadidi 5th, 9th U12 Boys; Carver Clase 14th, 12th U12 Boys 

    A trio of FVSEF U16 racers at Sun Valley. (Photo provided)
  

    Coach Kyle Taylor with two Flathead Freeride athletes. (Photo provided)