Recently I headed off with team GB to compete in a few comps and also to get some training in.
Checking out the European Open Course
The first comp we headed to was the European Open. Held in Laax, it was the first time the previously annual competition had taken place in 2 years! I was so happy to be there. In practice, because of the course having extremely flat landings, everyone was in a bad mindset having not landed a single trick! But, the next day, after a course reshape…it was perfect! Unfortunately I only got one run down as on my second run I went way too big on the first jump and crashed out! I ended up 9th in my heat, qualifying for the semi finals the next day (although we didn’t know that at the time!)
The long journey to Italy
After a seemingly endless train journey through little Italian towns and being interrogated by the police for 15 minutes we arrived in Valmalenco, Italy, for Junior World Championships.
The course was a lot more mellow compared to a lot of the other contests I have been to. With two jumps and three rail sections it suited the way I ski very well. After two full days of practice plus some perfect weather I felt really confident and comfortable with the course and my run. I managed to get 2 solid runs down that I was really pleased with and came 6th place in my heat! Huge well done to Katie Summerhayes for getting 1st and Cal Sandieson for making finals!
After the Junior worlds we all got some quality training time in Mayrhofen setting up for new tricks!
Posing at the World Junior Champs
Chilling with the GB Crew
All in all, it was a brilliant 3 weeks and thanks to Pat and the team and all of my sponsors for their support!
The last month or so of my competitive season have involved a lot of travelling and competing.
Japanese TV interview on arrival
A few weeks ago I took a gruelling twelve hour flight to Japan to compete in the Asia Open. I was so happy when I got the invite to travel out and compete. During my stay in the Japanese mountains I got to experience a lot of the Japanese culture. I ate some very strange food and took public baths. I also got to hang out with some of the coolest Korean guys. I skied on only a couple of days but for those few days leading up to the competition we had perfect bluebird weather. Unfortunately, come competition day high winds rolled in and every competitor only got one qualifying run. Luckily, my qualifying run set me up in fourth place overall. The weather didn’t improve and the finals ended up being cancelled so the podiums were decided on the first run score. I was stoked to make the journey and to come so close to a podium position.
A huge thank you to Dean Kistler for inviting me to compete and for looking after me while I was out there in Japan! And thanks to Kent County Playing Fields Association for helping to fund my trip!
The Brits – Tignes
After a week back in school I headed away again. This time for the Brits in Tignes. The Brits are usually held in Laax so this was a big change for the event organisers and the competitors. I think everyone handled this really well but a few things like lapping the halfpipe during practice on a 20 minute long lift and the small size of the jumps could have been improved.
Bangers and Cash
The first competition of the week was the first EVER ‘Bangers & Cash’ rail jam. The course was banging.
Bangers and Cash 2nd place
You had two chances to qualify for the finals as the qualification rounds were held on 2 different rail zones. After an exhausting 1 hour jam hiking and hitting rails I was so happy to find out I had qualified 1st in to the finals with a front 360 switch up 270 out on the down flat down. I was even happier when I found out that after the second qualification round on zone 2 my 1st place overall qualification still stood.
All 8 riders slayed it in the final with everyone stepping up their game. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to hold my first place but ended up with second overall! Well done to Chris McCormick for his first place and £1,000 cash prize!
SkierCross
After ‘Bangers & Cash’ came skiercross. I came first in my category last year so I had to prove myself. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hold on to the title and came third in the Youth Mens to the excellent racing Fennely brothers in second and first.
Skiercross Youth Mens Bronze
Slopestyle
Wednesday was Slopestyle and the weather for my favourite event couldn’t have been better. Perfect blue skies, no clouds anywhere and low to no wind. After my two qualification runs I wasn’t too happy. I didn’t think I was going to qualify for finals. But as it turned out I actually qualified in third! My first run in the final went better than all of my earlier runs of the day. The second however wasn’t too great.
Slopestyle Youth Mens GoldSlopestyle 2nd Overall
At prize giving I was awarded Gold in Youth Mens and and was absolutely stoked to get on the overall mens’ podium in second place overall! Congratulations to my Planks team mate Julian Ball for his overall first and to Tom Coe for his third position!
Halfpipe
Halfpipe
The weather the following day for pipe was not so good. Heavy snow and poor visibility. But everyone pushed through it and managed to get two qualification runs in! I was so stoked to find out I had qualified for finals as pipe isn’t one of my greatest strengths and I have little opportunity to practice this discipline. The finals got called off because of the bad weather. Unfortunately I just missed out on a podium in Youth Men and ended up in fourth.
Big Air invitational
This year big air had been scrapped this year and was replaced by an invitational big air Britain Vs France. I was overjoyed when I found out I was invited. I had tons of fun showing off to the crowd and beating the Frenchies !!
A massive thanks to all of my sponsors for supporting me and helping me to continue to add to my medals collection!
Recently I travelled up to Glasgow in Scotland to compete in the Scottish Indoor Freestyle Championships. The set up was amazing and the slope was groomed to perfection! We only had 2 runs to make an impression and I threw down a run which I am very proud of!
1st place in Scotsville!
At prize giving I received a bag of goodies and a gold medal as I had come 1st in youth men’s!
The following day I found out that I had also come 1st overall!
A great end to my weekend!
Big thanks to Jeff Menday and Liz Cordingley for getting me all the way to Scotland
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