US Freesking Nationals -Snowbird Utah

What an amazing event. Between rain in Europe and the "American Peso" I decided to fly home just in time to visit my friends from the IFSA and MSI and compete at the US Freeskiing Nationals. The women skied like men, ripping down the venue and stomping thirty foot cliff drops. It was sick. I don't know what these women have been doing this year, but the competition level was the highest I have ever seen. After three runs, I skied into third place. Next stop, Alyaska.

The competition results, photos, and webcast can be found on www.usfreeskiing.com. There will also be live coverage of Alyaska. Check it out!

O'Neill Extreme - Verbier

The Verbier O'Neill Extreme was the coolest event I have ever competed in. There were over 6000 people watching the event. The week was filled with interviews, poster signings, and powder skiing. The streets in Verbier are closed to traffic for the entire week. Vendors from all over set up booths filled with local foods and beverages. There were movie screens throughout the town so everyone could watch the competition and listen to athlete interviews.

The competition began with a bib draw in the middle of the town square. Music was bumping and thousands of people showed up for the entertainment. The bib draw was in front of a movie screen and as you were choosing your bib, a live interview played on the screen.

The competition was held on Mount Gele, which was a venue change due to massive slide on the Bec de Rosses. I skied off the right side of Mount Gele, ripping a fast fluid line. It was a bit conservative for me, but after falling in Tignes I wanted to ski a line that a I was comfortable and confident with. I finished 2nd for the day and 2nd for the Freeride World Tour.

For more information; photos, results, and webcasts, check out www.freerideworldtour.com.

Freeride World Tour - Tignes, France

Not the best comp for me. T o keep it brief, my flight was delayed by 24 hours due mechanical problems, my luggage was lost, I arrived in Tignes at 12:300 the night before the comp, skied on a pair of skiis that were not my own, kicked a shoe and tamahacked down the venue. As a result, I am now ranked second on the world tour, tailing by 300 points. Hopefully, I will be able to make the difference up in Verbier. The first possible comp day is set for friday. There is not a lot os snow in Europe, but there is a storm on the way. Hopefully, we will get pounded on.

2nd Stop of the FWT - Krasnaya Poliana, Russia

The second stop of the Freeride World Tour was in Krasnaya Poliana, Russia. This is also the proposed site of the 2014 Olympics. The competition went well. I finished in third behind Elise Saugsted (first), and Marja Persson(third). The competition was based on one run. I skied the most difficult line of all of the women, but I have to admit, I did not ski it as well as I had envisioned in my mind. I skied the lookers right side of the peak above. The line was sick and I am super proud of myself for skiing something difficult. The next stop on the tour will be in Tignes, France. For more info checkout www.freerideworldtour.com.

Freeride World Tour Stop #1 - Mammoth , CA

I am so excited to announce that I won the first stop of the Freeride World Tour in Mammoth, CA. The competition was incredible. Skiers were invited from around the world to create a competition of the highest caliber. The women were amazing the men the were ridiculous (80 foot cliff drops all day long). The competition took place on "OH Shit" ridge in Mammoth. After trying for four days to get the competition off, it finally happened on Friday. The mountain had received at least two feet of fresh powder, which was perfect for the "huck-fest" that occured.

The women were impressive, jumping off 20 foot cliff-drops with no hestitation. I chose to ski fast and fluid. My first run included two straight lines and my second run was comprised of powder skiing and two 15 foot airs. The american men represented the US well. Drew Tabke and Craig Garbriel lead the men finishing 4th and 5th.

The next stop of the tour is in Sochi, Russia. For more imformation about the tour check out: www.freerideworldtour.com

Happy Skiing! Jess

Freeride World Tour

This winter has been amazing. I have skied more powder in the last month than all of last year. Jackson is already at 90% of snowpack for the season with more snow to come. But it is time get serious. The Freeride World Tour has begun. I am honored to be invited to compete on this tour. Not only because it features some of the best riders in the world; Jeremy Jones, Drew Tabke, Nick Greener, and Craig Garbiel, but also because one of my goals is to ski the Verbier "Oneill Extreme."

The comp is heli access and only one run. For more info check out www.freerideworldtour.com. I will be competing in Mammoth on Wednesday and then off to Russia on January 29th.