Snowbird, Utah—Ski & Snowbird Club Vail’s Big Mountain Team wrapped up its 2012 season at the Junior Freeskiing Tour (JFT) Championships in Snowbird, Utah, April 4-7.
With unusual weather that included ice, slush, wind, low visibility and eventual bluebird skies, the weekend ended with thirteen-year old Kevin Nichols tallying 68.63 points and a third place finish for the boys 12-14 division at the championships. This finish, combined with a recent win in Grand Targhee, moved Nichols into third overall on the Junior Freeskiing Tour (JFT) standings for the season.
“Kevin improved with each competition and learned from his mistakes,” explained SSCV big mountain coach Garrett Scahill. “He was really consistent at the end of the tour and ended up having a great season.”
Kevin Gille took the top honors for the older boys (15-18) in a very competitive field with 58.33 points, taking 16th at Snowbird.
Seventeen-year old Anna Suszynski skied to an eleventh place finish on Snowbird’s Silver Fox venue for the girls 15-18 division, claiming sixth overall on the JFT for the season.
Other SSCV athletes who competed in the JFT Championships in Snowbird were: Erik Hilb, Mathieu L’Esperance, Michael Thompson, Aidan Stege and Gabe Suszynski.
Christian Nichols closed out the season in seventh overall on the JFT for the 15-18 boys division.
“I was happy to see Anna and Christian go sixth and seventh on the JFT this year,” said Scahill. “This is their last season as juniors. They’ve been great leaders on our team and solid competitors on the tour. Our team continues to grow each year, and we will be looking to our younger athletes to fill their shoes next season.”
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