The Chillfactor Freebom – Event Recap and Photos
The Hotdoggers were running deep Image:: Warden
Chillfactor | Reggae Elliss
Because Hot Doggin’ Ain’t Dead
The Hot Doggin’ spirit was alive and well at the Chillfactor Freebom held in Mt Buller on Sat Aug 22. Under a mainly fine sky, Wood Run’s bumps in the iconic Bull Run bowl were ripe for the onslaught, encouraging a freeskiing spirit rarely seen in ski competitions worldwide. It was a day of fun and good vibes involving skiers from eight years old to 50 with some spectacular action.
“I think everyone’s collective smiles kept the weather gods happy and a dicey forecast turned into a beautiful day of slush bumps and sunshine,” said event director Watkin McLennan.
“The Mt Buller community really got behind the event,” added Watkin. “It was so cool to see parents skiing with their kids and brothers synching up bump turns. Skiers of all disciplines and levels were represented – eight-year-olds to Olympians, racers, park skiers and bump skiers alike, there was even a guy on a TeleMono… the legend Jock Gunn.”
DJ Eddie made the trip from Hotham and pumped up the vibe on the microphone, adding some astute observations on the skiers’ style and flow.
There were plenty of highlights including Shai Ashkanasy’s “turn back the clock” flawless runs, Mitch Reeves and Jared Rodden’s dangerous speed duels and the under 12s just ripping. Anton Grimus was also incredible, the Skier X Olympian ripped down on 220 Head downhill skis as DJ Eddy said: “He didn’t shave off his beard he just moved it to his chest.”
The event ended with a massive party run through the bumps – “the best party run ever held at Buller” involving over 100 skiers before a dance off to decide who won a pair of K2 skis.
“Someone told me the Free has been stolen from freestyle, “ said DJ Eddie. “I think we just found it again here in Wood run.”
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE NORTH FACE, MOUNT BULLER, OYUKI GLOVES, DALBELLO, LEKI, MARKER, K2, THE BOOT LAB, HOTEL PENSION GRIMUS, MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN
Results and prizes:
Best Crash: Andy Clark – Marker Helmet
Winkipop for best air: Hugo Bernard with redemption on a 360 after a big fall. Special mention to Stoffel for his madness. – Leki Poles
Pigmy Possum Girl: Maddie Hooker
Pigmy Possum Boy: Banjo Burrell
Future Focused Girl: Eliza Honan
Future Focused Boy: Angus Hill
Mrs Energetic (0ver 40): Shai Ashkanasy – Dinner at Grimus
Mr Energetic (Over 40): Cam Bertalli – 2016 Car parking pass at Mt Buller
Kirstie Marshall award for best female performance: Britt Cox
Nick Cleaver award for best male performance: Rob Lovick
The Zermatt award for best Dressed: Jake Richardson
The Family Run: The Eisner brothers for their synchro bumps. They won a trip to Mammoth.
FreeBOM award for embodying the spirit of FreeBOM the most: James Phillips with special mention to Josh Laney, Stoffel, Jake Richardson and Shai Ashkanasy. Phillips won a pair of Dalbello boots fitted by the Boot Lab.
Click on any image to open a gallery from the event
