Groms Send it at the 2017 Hotham Junior Freeride

September 22nd, 2017


Kareema Watkin skied with aggression beyond a 12-year-old. Image:: Karl Gray

Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss

Mount Hotham has long been regarded has Australia premier freeride resort, its varied terrain, tree skiing and in-bounds steep offering some of the best skiing in the country. Given that, Hotham is the perfect location for Australia’s premier junior event, the Hotham Junior Freeride, which went down in sensational conditions on September 16.

Now in its fourth year, the Junior Freeride is a real test of competitors all-mountain skiing and snowboarding ability, the course in Canyons under Heavenly chair a mix of natural and man-made features. The judging criteria is based on Freeride World Tour criteria where big open turns, aggressive skiing, flow and a confidence in the athletes chosen line is more important than the tricks thrown off the features. This isn’t a slopestyle or big air event.


Athlete briefing at the top of the course. Image:: Ben Rennie

Hotham has plenty of snow at the moment with a deep base across the resort the skiing the morning of the event was awesome, with 10cms of fresh and with the midday start, there was plenty of time to lap a few powder turns before the comp. The snow for the event was perfect, a layer of fresh on top of the soft snow from the previous day, giving the athletes the confidence to go for it. Featuring kids from nine-year-old to 17, the event showcased plenty of talent, and the level of skiing and riding among the top the placegetters was very impressive.

Run by Hotham Freeski, the organisers invited Australian big mountain skier Natalie Segal to the event to mentor the competitors, give them an idea of the of the FWT judging criteria and to oversee the judging. This was a great idea and will help the progression of the event.


Oskar Schulz with a huge safety grab. Image:: Karl Gray

Natalie did a Q&A with the kids the morning of the event and it was great to see their enthusiasm and constant questioning. “It was amazing to be involved in the Junior Big Mountain Champs at Mt Hotham,” said Nat. “I had no idea how big freeride skiing has become here in Australia! It’s obviously thanks to a lot of passion from everyone involved.”

That passion also extends to Volkl the main sponsor of the event which regards the event as an important inclusion of the Junior competition calendar.


Arkie Elliss, skied hard and fast to win the U15 girls. Image:: Ben Rennie

“We got involved with Hotham Freeski to make this event something about the kids and supporting an event that we believe in as skiers ourselves,” said Nick Hill, Product manager and Team Manager, Volkl Australia.

“Volkl are a massive supporter of freeride skiing globally and here in Australia we are stoked to contribute and see the level of Australian juniors that are able to get a taste for what these type of competitions are about. Having Nat Segal one of our Volkl Australia international athletes here to mentor some of the juniors was unreal as she has competed on the world tour and skis big mountain lines around the world.”


Cade Robinson, on his way to winning the U19 skis. Image:: Karl Gray

As for the standard of skiing and boarding on display, Natalie was impressed and saw potential for some of the kids to go further on the freeriding big mountain scene:
“The level of riding was impressive, from all ages. It was exciting to see a good balance of boy and girl riders giving the venue everything they had. I was especially impressed by the hard work the athletes and coaches have put in to balance their freestyle skills with core ‘big mountain’ skiing – it produced some jaw-dropping runs”

For the skiers and snowboarders, the Freeride is a chance for them to showcase their talents on the mountain, outside the confines of a purpose built park, mogul field or race course. For many it is a rare chance to unleash their free-skiing skills and events like this are important for the progression of the athletes and the sport. Thredbo hold a similar event in the Bluff as part of its season long snow series and it’s good to see a few more pop up in other resorts.

“I can’t wait to see what this event has in store for us in the future,” Nat Segal added. “I would love to see some of the young shredders competing across the ditch in the Junior Freeride World Qualifiers, I think they have the potential … Or even host an event here.”


Cade Robinson, spinning to win. Image:: Ben Rennie

Results

Under 19 boys

  1. Cade Robinson
  2. Charles Beaton
  3. Tom Heffernan

Under 19 girls

  1. Abi Harrigan
  2. Isabelle Beaton
  3. Molly Robinson

U15 boys

  1. Will Atwell
  2. Liam Nicholls
  3. Jake Grayson

U15 Girls

  1. Arkie Elliss
  2. Mabel Ashburn
  3. Mia Rennie

U13 Boys ski

  1. Oskar Schulz
  2. Tristan Rowley
  3. Joey Elliss

U13 Girls ski

  1. Kareema Wakim
  2. Saskia Hunt
  3. Willow Hunt

U13 Girls Snowboard

  1. Rose Rostron
  2. Ava Wilson

U13 Boys snowboard

  1. Kai Rennie
  2. Madix Grattan
  3. Oscar Sayers

U15 Boys snowboard

  1. Archer Rostron
  2. Lachlan Walker

U19 Girls snowboard

  1. Charlotte Cornelius

U19 Boys snowboard

  1. Giacomo Di Natale