Pehota takes 3rd in Golden
The world’s best freeriders took advantage of perfect ski conditions in Golden BC’s Purcell Mountains for an exceptional second stop on the 2019 Freeride World Tour and Logan Pehota of Pemberton BC took 3rd place. Pahota only announced his Wildcard entry in early January and the BC athlete delivered a great performance.
The rest of the world’s premier line-up of freerider arrived still buzzing from an epic competition in Japan, just in time for more fresh snow and chilly temperatures. These conditions set-up today’s top shelf contest full of huge performances.
Famous for its powder and steep big mountain terrain, Kicking Horse’s “Ozone” freeride venue provided the perfect theater for the 2019 world title race to complete its second chapter.
Here’s what went down today at Kicking Horse in Golden BC:
Ski Men
Young Kiwi sensation, Craig Murray (NZL-1st Place) had something big in mind when he started firing the crowd up before dropping over the cornice, and he did not disappoint stringing together a 360, a backflip and committed big bottom air to take the win. Rankings leader, Markus Eder (ITA-2nd Place) kept his world title campaign going strong with a textbook combination of freestyle and big mountain charging. Local hero, Logan Pehota (CAN-3rd Place) put together a top shelf line, sticking back to back 360s and a huge must stomp bottom air.
“I did everything I wanted to do. Went a bit smaller than last year but executed my 360s in opposite ways so I am super stoked on that and I landed everything. I ended up in one piece, not hurt, did not hit a rock, I am stoked. Obviously it would have been sick if I came in first again but it was pretty unrealistic world to live in if you come in expecting that every time. I am super happy about my run.” — Logan Pehota
Snowboard Women
Former world champion, Marion Haerty (FRA-1st Place) made her podium intentions clear with fast, fluid riding, which also landed her at the top of the overall rankings. Wakana Hama (JPN-2nd Place) and Manuela Mandl (AUT-3rd Place) both showed strong commitment and confidence with big airs earning solid podium results.
”It’s really nice to win here in Canada, I really feel like home here ! We had all the good conditions to ride well and have fun and that was just the case. I totally changed my line from last year, I wanted to follow the line of skiers, to go fast and big…and it worked!” – Marion Haerty
Ski Women
Jacqueline Pollard (USA-1st Place) earned her first career FWT win and podium thanks to her smooth style and solid fall line, big mountain skiing. Defending world champion, Arianna Tricomi (ITA-2nd Place) straight lined into a huge air through one of the steepest and most technical parts of the venue, while Hazel Josie Birnbaum (USA-3rd Place) had a smooth run from top to bottom including a cleanly landed double.
“It’s a wonderful day, we are so happy to be there with all the ladies and everyone have such a good vibe here at the top, I just had fun ! My brother told me to just trust myself today and I listened to him and it worked out!” — Jacqueline Pollard
Snowboard Men
Season wildcard, Victor De Le Rue (FRA-1st Place) earned his first career FWT victory with a beautiful line, which included a smooth, floaty backside 360 and big mountain creativity that he’s well known for. 3x world champion, Sammy Luebke (USA-2nd Place) made jaws drop, putting a dreamy slash into an exposed spine followed by a huge, perfectly executed double. He was joined on the podium by Blake Hamm (USA-3rd Place) who opened up a new line and smoothly landed a double and bottom air.
“I was very happy to be able to observe the face with good weather. I had my line in mind but arrived at the top I jumped a cliff bigger than expected and with the speed I changed line at the last second. It was more consistent than expected but my run was quite fluid. I almost fell to the last cliff, but it hit. So I’m super stoke!” – Victor De Le Rue
Here are quotes from other Canadian athletes:
Nicole Kelly (CAD – 5th place)
“There was a little bit more rocks in the one chute that I thought would have been solid so that caught me off guard. But it is what it is, I’m stoked to finally get to ride this face!”
Liam Peiffer (CAD – 8th place)
“I am stoked. A lot of adrenaline. I started from the second start, came into that big feature and did a backflip. Super stoked I landed that ; came into the second one that Logan spun, took it a little smaller. I saw lot of guys flailed and I just wanted to stomp it clean so I kind of float it off the end and came into that last one and just took as much speed as I could and hoped for the best. That’s all I could do at that point. I had so much fun, I am so stoked!”
Tom Peiffer (CAD – 18th place)
“I am very happy to see my brother put it to his feet. It’s a really good learning lesson to come from Japan to this and just make sure that I am humble and have the right headspace. Being mentally prepared before my lines is a big one and today my head wasn’t in the right spot. But I am so happy for Craig (Murray) right now. That is unbelievable!”
Relive all of today’s action at freeridewordtour.com and be sure to follow the FWT social media channels for rider news and competition updates as FWT19 heads to the European leg of the season.
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