While inspecting lines for the comp I was definitely nervous, the conditions were really bad. The snow was pretty much ice chunks and rotten. Just in time, a storm rolled in and dumped a few feet, the first day of the comp was postponed due to extreme snow falling from the sky all day long, so we just skied powder all day, it was so much fun but maybe not the best idea right before a comp, my legs were pretty sore and tired. There was no inspection the next day and the comp was on. The weather rolled in and out all day causing for lots of waiting and freezing. I was lucky to be the 8th guy to ski but had to wait for over two hours at the top of my run before being sent during a small break in the weather. I was cold and not too stoked by the time I finally skied but everything went well, my line was sweet and I sent a pretty big cliff into deep pow and then made fresh turns down the rest of my run, the conditions were amazing. I ended up in seventh place after day one and was really please with that. Check out this shot of me airing off this shark fin looking feature.
The weather was beautiful for the finals and the snow was still good. I couldn’t decide what line to ski but finally made up my mind, and apparently it was a good decision. After the finals I was sitting in third place, amongst some of the best alpine skiers. I stomped my line and was able to make some sketchy tele turns going about 50 mph. Here are some shots of my first line and me mocking into the finish.
I dropped into my superfinals run, made some turns through the upper moguls and then cut left, droping my first air, I stomped it and hit my second air and droped my knee to make a turn and shut some speed down and there was no tension from my binding, it felt like my binding had gone into walk mode or just broken, so with little time to react I aired my last clif and straightlined toward the finish, I was going super fast and almost exploded multiple times but some how held it together and turned enough to make it through the finish line and as I crossed into the finish my ski took off and my binding was left on my boot and I didnt fall. I was super fired up as was the crowd. Unfortunately this out of control run bumped me back to 6th place, but oh well, I survived and was thrilled to get 6th place. My childhood friend and ski partner Mark Welgos has been on fire this winter and dominated the comp with a victory. Emily Teague also from Aspen won for the women.
My broken binding, notice the bent toe piece.
Welgos ripping his way to a victory!!
And here is Ryan Zernis under the coffee table after the after party!!! It reminds me of the witch in the Wizard of OZ after the house falls on her.
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