Kirkwood, CA - As the wind whistled over the razor-sharp rock spires of the Cirque at California's Kirkwood ski area, skiers readied their gear and nerves for the fifth stop of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour. This is one of the most respected steep skiing contests in the world and the venue at Kirkwood Mountain Resort has become notorious due to its steep, technical slopes and because it is permanently closed to the public. This past weekend marked the 13th consecutive year of the competition coming to Kirkwood and it was a true spectacle from which Mad River Glen, Vt.'s Dylan Crossman and Janina Kuzma of New Zealand emerged victorious.


The Cirque is a 1,500-vertical-foot wall of rock which resembles some of Alaska’s most aesthetic peaks. It has ski lines that reach up to 60 degrees in slope angle -- which means that if you could somehow stand still on it, your extended elbow would touch the mountain.

Competitor Scott McBrayer goes for broke in Sunday's finals at the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships in Kirkwood, Calif. (photo: MSI)

As the competition got going last Thursday, Kirkwood received two feet of powder. Event organizers saved the most challenging section of the Cirque for Sunday’s final, which guaranteed perfect conditions.

Crossman attacked the Cirque with a smooth style and creative line choice. Combining guts with finesse, he threw a 360 spin in the middle of his run.

"After having stormy weather on day one, I woke up in the morning and it was bluebird," said Crossman. "I knew I had to make a impressive and smooth run to make my way up from the third position to the first."

Behind him, in second, was Aaron Schmidt of Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, who also skied with the aggression and fluidity that the judges love to see. In third was Marc Welgos of Aspen, Colo., who skied an impressive and technical line.

Bad weather moved in during the final heats, which left women’s winner Kuzma considering altering her game plan.

“I was going to change my line but I stuck with my guns, stayed on my feet and I’m really happy,” said Kuzma, who executed an airplane turn into a tight choke in one of the steepest sections of the Cirque called the Hidden Chute. Her aggressiveness was further rewarded with the contest’s Backcountry.com Sickbird Award which honors the skier who most represents the sport’s heart and soul while going big. This is one of the few times a female has won the coveted trophy.

Behind Kuzma, going home with the second place, was Angel Collinson, of Snowbird, Utah, a rookie on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour, and in third place was Crystal-Rose Lee, of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.

The Freeskiing World Tour also presents The North Face Young Gun Award to a young competitor who shows promise and performs well. This weekend’s winner was Caleb Brown from Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, who qualified in second position and finished fifth in the final.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the bottom of the natural amphitheater which afforded superb views of the incredible skiing taking place up above. People arrived on skis or by snowcat and there was an air of a festival. Until the weather moved in at the end, it was a massive California sun picnic. Between heats, long time tour competitor Ted Davenport thrilled the crowd by ski-parasailing from the peak and sliding to a stop in the finish area.

After the famed Cirque at Kirkwood, the Subaru FWT continues to the legendary steeps of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. Long known as the premier venue on the Subaru FWT, the Utah ski resort will host the 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, with the tour leaders battling for top positions in the final runs of the year down the infamous North Baldy face.