Groms Attack Big Mountain Terrain at Hotham’s Junior Freeride Comp

September 22nd, 2016


Cade Robinson skied hard and fast to clinch the Junior men’s ski win. Image:: Karl Gray

Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss

After watching the standard of skiing that was on display in the Junior Freeride at Hotham last weekend, I couldn’t help but think this competition deserves to be the most prestigious junior event on the Australian winter calendar. In many ways the behemoth that is the Interschools has stolen the thunder of top level junior events held during winter, but Interschools seems to be a commercial entity, more about mass participation and is tied to the traditional events of alpine, moguls and cross country.

To do well in this event you have to be able to ski and ride well at speed, throw down some big moves of the jumps, be able to read the terrain and changing snow conditions and you have to have a bit of courage. This event is a real freeride big mountain event.


The calm before the storm, riders huddle and ready themselves for the three,two,one. Image:: Karl Gray

Hotham has a well-deserved reputation as a core mountain with steep technical off piste terrain and is tailored made to host a freeride event. The Freeride Junior is held in the Canyons area just to the left of the top of Heavenly Chair and the course is challenging with two man-made jumps up the top and a series of natural rock bands and cliff drops at the bottom in Peach Bowl. Conditions were difficult at first with poor visibility at times as fog drifted in and out and after 20-25cms of snow a couple of days before the event, the snow was variable but did soften as the event went on.

Like all big mountain comps, the points awarded came from the tricks thrown off the features and the type of skiing done in between the jumps.


Gus Broerson, a Hotham grom and one of the best young skiers in the country. Image:: Karl Gray

The level of skiing at the event was outstanding, the competitors skied hard and fast, with flowing technical turns and a lot of aggression. It was awesome to watch with the kids in the mini groms (10 and under) showing plenty of skill while the older kids were really impressive, with some massive technical airs off the jumps and cliffs, complemented with controlled, fast turns.
For me, it was the best competition of the year.

Now in its third year the Hotham Junior Freeride is part of the Hotham Freeride series and is run by Hotham Freeski. There were ski and snowboard divisions this year, boys and girls, and with continued commitment from the Hotham and main sponsors, Volkl and Oyuki, I can see this event growing each year. It was great to see a solid contingent of skiers from NSW make the trek south and I expect we’ll see skiers and boarders from other resorts head to Hotham next year.


Charles Beaton throwing a flat 3 off the top jump. Image:: Karl Gray

Volkl’s Nick Hill is a big supporter of the event and is keen to see it grow. “We partner with the freeride world tour and in Australia we feel it is important to support and partner events at the highest level which showcase out Australian talent”, Nick said. “This event is great for the juniors and gets them out of their comfort zone and the kids really stepped up. I have no doubt anyone who watched the groms throw down at Hotham would have been going “wow”. It’s a super high standard of riding.”

Results

Junior Ski Male

  1. Cade Robinson (Perisher)
  2. Charles Beaton (Perisher)
  3. Oliver Merrett (Perisher
  4. Tom Heffernan (Hotham)

Junior Ski Male

  1. Izzy Beaton (Perisher)

Grom Ski Male

  1. Oskar Shultz (Perisher)
  2. Gus Broersen (Hotham)
  3. Kyle McGown (Hotham)
  4. Joey Elliss (Thredbo)

Grom Ski Female

  1. Abby Harrigan (Perisher)
  2. Arkie Elliss (Thredbo)
  3. Saskia Hunt (Hotham)
  4. Mabel Ashburn (Perisher)

Grom Snowboard Male

  1. Noah Grant (Hotham)
  2. Archer Rostron (Hotham)
  3. Lachlan Walker (Hotham)

Grom Snowboard Female

  1. Courtney Bartlett

Mini Grom Snowboard Male

  1. Zephyr Whitelaw-Holmes
  2. James Garth
  3. Madox Graylin

Mini Grom Snowboard Female

  1. Rose Rostron
  2. Jessica Bartlett


Noah Grant busted out some solid airs to lead the way in the snowboarding. Image:: Karl Gray


Oskar Shultz nailed his second run to win the hotly contested Grom Boys ski. Image:: Karl Gray


Joey Elliss, plenty of style and aggression for a 10-year-old. Image:: Karl Gray