More than 2,700 young skiers and riders competed this junior freeride season, but only 244 earned an invitation to the championship event. 

The IFSA Junior Freeride Championships closed the season for athletes in the western hemisphere last week in Kirkwood, California. Skiers and riders from Argentina, Chile, Canada and the U.S. competed. 

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports club qualified seven for the championship event, with two alumni also earning selection. 

Competing for SSWSC was: Reid Graham (U15 Snowboard Male); Jayla McGlone (U15 Snowboard Female); Riley McNew (U19 Snowboard Female); Vander Zuck, Branigan Murphy; Banks Ward (U15 Ski Male); and Ryan Montgomery (U19 Ski Male).

Two SSWSC alumni also qualified: Ellie Reynolds (U19 Ski Female) and Gavin Murphy (U19 Ski Male). 

The competition was held at the Kirkwood Cirque, a venue typically closed to the public and recognized globally for its challenging terrain. 

The snowboarders opened the competition with all three SSWSC riders qualifying for finals. McGlone dropped into the Hell’s Delight zone in finals, shredding through steep rocks. She finished her run with a show-stopping drop to take fifth in the U15 Snowboard Female classification. 

Moments later, it was Graham’s turn for a challenging run down the fall line into an air. He maintained his speed into a second air, seamlessly transitioning into the very technical Turkey Chute area where he capped off his run with big style on some big air for the gold medal in the U15 Snowboard Male classification. 

McNew was the last SSWSC rider to drop in, taking 11th in U19 Snowboard Female. 

Increasing temperatures throughout the competition week juggled the zone locations for the skiers who were moved to the Hell’s Delight zone for qualifying before competing on the Chicken’s start above the Rabini Wing zone for finals. 

In the U19 Ski Male field, Murphy took 29th and Montgomery in 40th. Reynolds placed 11th of the U19 Ski Females. In the U15 Male category, Zuck took 20th with Ward in 32nd. 

Murphy was last to drop in from Steamboat, hitting a deep bucket air to clear the rocks below, picking up major speed into his next drop. Into a natural kicker, Murphy stomped a huge 360 and used his clearance for takeoff to take the tester air into a massive 360. Murphy’s run was good for the bronze medal in the U15 Ski Male classification. 

The championships ended with the IFSA overall awards, honoring the top junior freeride athletes from the full season. Graham claimed third overall in his respective field with McNew in sixth; McGlone in eighth; Murphy in 14th; Zuck in 34th; and Montgomery in 49th.