NEWS
2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos:
Crested Butte athletes sweep men's field, AK's Morgan Haymans wins El Pájaro Loco
March 4, 2012
The final day at the 2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships held at Taos, New Mexico saw new snow, blustery winds and blue skies as a talent-stacked field battled for a share of the $15,000 purse. With 160 athletes participating over three days, including many of North America's top freeskiers, this year was the largest in the event's eight-year history and marked a high point in the level of intensity.
"Day two in the West Basin venue was the most intense day I've witnessed at this event," says Taos' Alejandro Blake. "As a 4* Freeride World Tour qualifying event, we've always been fortunate to host some of the best athletes in the world, but this year the talent pool was deeper, and the level of competition definitely ramped up."
Colorado athletes were well represented, with a large contingent from Crested Butte quickly making their presence known. Last year's 4th place finisher, Brandon Clabough ended up taking the win, with two days of aggressive and creative skiing. His final run on Kachina was a technical and difficult line, ending in a large cliff drop of a feature that hadn't seen any action until this year, when several competitors stepped up to the plate.
Rob Dickinson, also from Crested Butte, continued a stellar run at Taos, repeating his 2nd place finish from 2011. Dickinson's fast and fluid skiing impressed the judges. In 3rd was Tom Runcie. Runice, who finished 8th overall on the Freeskiing World Tour in 2011 wrapped up a podium sweep of Crested Butte athletes.
The women were led by Crested Butte, Colorado athlete Ashley Bembenek. Bembenek's aggressive, fast skiing on the Kachina Peak final venue vaulted her ahead of last year¹s winner Katie Gillen. Gillen wrapped up the event in 2nd. In 3rd place was Alex Reidman, who improved on her 11th place in 2011 to claim the final podium spot.
In the snowboarding division local rider Ryan Montoya dominated throughout the competition with big airs and fluid riding to take 1st. He was followed by Taos ski patrol member Juntin Bobb who finished 1st here in 2010. Vail's Matthew Baker wrapped up the podium in 3rd, showcasing an aggressive approach, particularly in the West Basin venue, where he stomped a massive cliff drop.
For the women, Kirkwood's Rosemaire Daiek took the win, adding to an impressive resume that includes top finishes at several North Face Masters events as well as a 1st here in 2010. Steamboat Springs athlete Meghan Moran finished in 2nd with Breckenridge, Colorado athlete Meesh Hynter taking 3rd.
The Master's men saw a Squaw Valley sweep, with Larry Segal taking 1st, followed by David Saputo and Jon Saputo.
In the Junior division, Telluride's Kyle Koenig took the win for the men, followed by Steamboat Spring's Matthew White. Local skier Peter Hunt tied with Colorado athlete Finn Mahoney for 3rd.
The Junior girls were led by Taos athletes Eliza Donahue and Emma Patterson, who finished 1st and 2nd, respectively. Winter Park's Jill Beasley took 3rd.
Other notable results included Morgan Hayman's aggressive, free-wheeling approach, which earned the Alaskan athlete the coveted El Pájaro Loco (Sick Bird) award, and master skier Mike Masiowski's positive attitude which led to him being named the winner of the Tobias Lee Memorial spirit trophy.
⇒ FINAL RESULTS: Download a PDF of the final results for 2012.
2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos:
Day One Sees Backflips, Big Air.
March 1, 2012
After a qualifying day winnowed the field, the 2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships started rocking in earnest as a stacked field attacked Taos' famed West Basin Venue. With a wide variety of lines to choose from, including 60-foot airs to demanding technical lines, athletes were able to showcase their diverse styles and talents.
Leading the charge for the men was Breckenridge athlete Sammy Steen. Steen charged the Heavy Timber section of the venue, with a huge air, and currently sits in first place, followed by Crested Butte athlete and former JR competitor Brandon Clabaugh. Crested Butte's Rob Dickinson sits in third. In the men's Master's field, Tahoe's David Saputo leads Larry Segal (Olympic Valley, CA) and Jon Saputo (Martinez, CA).
For the women, last year's champion Katie Gillen currently sits in first, followed by Crested Butte, Colorado athletes Alex Reidman and Ashley Bembenek. Gillen's fast aggressive skiing echoed her championship bid from last year and puts the Taos athlete in the driver’s seat as the event moves to the finals on Kachina Peak.
In the snowboard division, Brandon Reid of Vail, Colorado, leads local athlete and Taos ski patroller Jusin Bobb. Ryan Montoya sits in third. For the women, Tahoe’s Rosemarie Diaek sits in first, with Meghan Moran (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) in second, followed by Breckenridge's Meesh Hyter.
A stacked JR field sees local athlete Eliza Donahue in front of Emma Patterson (also of Taos) and Winter Park's Abby Ward. Telluride's Kyle Koenig leads Steamboat's Matthew White and Woodinvile, WA athlete Jake Sivinski.
"This was the most competitive field we've ever seen, from the JR divisions to the Masters," says Taos' Alejandro Blake. "The athletes really stepped it up and tomorrows final on Kachina should be quite a show."
A 4* Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) event, this year's athlete lineup is expected to include some of the top freeride athletes in the world, continuing the Extreme’s tradition of high-level international competition that started eight years ago. The recent agreement between the Freeride World Tour (the sanctioning body for Taos) and the Freeskiing World Tour (organized by Utah-based Mountain Sports International) to harmonize world rankings ensures that Taos remains a crucial event for athletes looking to score points and move on to the top-tier World Tour events. As 4* FWQ event, Taos grants top points for competitors who finish on the podium, and is one of a handful of elite FWQ events in the world.
"It was one of the most amazing days I've seen in the West Basin venue," says Chief of Race Tom Winter. "I can't wait to see what happens during the finals."
2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos:
Venues are filled in, event sold out.
February 15, 2012
While other big-mountain events are being postponed due to lack of snow, the 2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos is on schedule, with prime conditions on all of the event's venues. To date, Taos has seen 172 inches of snow, 46 inches in February and the ski area's current base clocks in at 90 inches at the upper mountain stake.
"We have enjoyed one of the best starts to the winter in the recent history of the resort," says Taos' Alejandro Blake. "Snowfall has been consistent and the venues are starting to look very filled in. We expect conditions to be prime for the athletes when they arrive in March."
The 2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos are scheduled for March 1 - 3. A 4* Freeride World Qualifier (FWQ) event, this year's athlete lineup is expected to include some of the top freeride athletes in the world, continuing the Extreme's tradition of high-level international competition that started eight years ago. The recent agreement between the Freeride World Tour (the sanctioning body for Taos) and the Freeskiing World Tour (organized by Utah-based Mountain Sports International) to harmonize world rankings ensures that Taos remains a crucial event for athletes looking to score points and move on to the top-tier World Tour events. As 4* FWQ event, Taos grants top points for competitors who finish on the podium, and is one of a handful of elite FWQ events in the world.
"With the North American freeride event schedule thrown into disarray due to lack of snow at many of the major venues, Taos is excited to offer some of the best conditions in the United States right now," says Chief of Race Tom Winter. "Taos already has enjoyed a stellar start to the winter, and each new storm will just make things that much better for the athletes. We're on schedule and the event is going to be a great showcase not only for Taos but also for the athletes who will finally be able to compete after so many other events have been cancelled."
As of this date, all fields including the Juniors, Snowboard and Ski divisions are sold out. "We are at capacity," says Blake. "Individuals who are interested in competing and who have not registered can be put on a waiting list in case injuries or other issues prevent registered athletes from competing."
To learn more about the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships, to make reservations or to see results from past year competitions, please visit skitaos.org/freeride. To learn more about the Freeride World Tour, check out freerideworldtour.com. Stay tuned for special see and ski deals that will allow spectators to take advantage of discounted accommodations and skiing during the March 1 - 3 timeframe of the event.
Freeride World Tour and a harmonized world points and ranking system
As many of you who have participated in the Taos event the past know, Taos is considered a 4* Freeride World Qualifying event for skiers and a 3* Qualifying event for snowboarders. Currently the Freeride World Tour is working with MSI, the organizers of the Freeskiing World Tour in North America, to harmonize points and rankings to allow all athletes to have the opportunity to compete in the Freeride World Tour's showcase events. This will not change the status of Taos, as we have been told by the FWT that we will remain a 4* event for skiers and a 3* event for snowboarders. However, the harmonization will impact athletes who compete in Taos in several ways. Previously, athletes who had done well at Taos were ranked by the FWT in the overall FWT and FWQ rankings. With the harmonization, a truly global ranking system will be applied to all competitors, which should create new opportunities for athletes, particularly those who only competed in North American events (Taos, MSI or other competitions) to become qualified for the FWT's showcase events, including Chamonix, France; Sochi, Russia; and the finals in Verbier, Switzerland. This is a positive step forward and we welcome the cooperation between MSI and the FWT in this regard. We expect a joint announcement from both the FWT and MSI in regards to the harmonization soon, as well as event rankings for all North American and other events. In the meantime, should you have any questions regarding Taos, the Freeride World Tour, Freeride World Qualifying events or MSI's slate of North American events, please contact us and we will do our best to clarify what these changes mean for you.
2012 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos
Dates Announced: Event will be held March 1 - 3, 2012
October 26, 2011
Mark your calendar! Taos is proud to announce the 8th installment of the Salomon New Mexico Extreme Freeride Championships March 1 - 3. Held on Taos' famed West Basin and Kachina Peak venues, the event is a 4* Freeride World Tour Qualifying event (FWQ), and is one of a handful of elite FWQ events around the world. In addition, the event is a top event for women and junior athletes, attracting some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the sport.
"We are excited to host the 8th annual Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships this year," says Taos' Alejandro Blake. "We're proud that Taos is a top-tier FWQ qualifying event and it's hard to believe that we are closing in on the 10-year anniversary of this competition. It's been an amazing ride."
The Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos is New Mexico's largest and most prestigious ski and snowboard competition. Featuring athletes from around the world, 2012 marks yet another year that Taos will host some of the best skiers and snowboarders on the planet as they battle for nearly $15,000 in prize money.
"This year the competition will bigger than ever" says Chief of Race Tom Winter. "Every year this event has grown and after eight years of continuous success, we are honored to be one of the most respected events of this kind in North America.”
"Every year we sell out of all the spots available to the athletes," adds Blake. "If you've always wanted to compete in this event but never done so, you'll want to mark your calendar and register early. And if you've been here in the past, we look forward to hosting you again this year."
To learn more about the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships, to make reservations or to see results from past year competitions, please visit www.skitaos.org/freeride. To learn more about the Freeride World Tour, check out www.freerideworldtour.com. Stay tuned for special See and Ski Deals that will allow spectators to take advantage of discounted accommodations and skiing during the March 1 - 3, 2012 timeframe of the event.
