The Purgatory Freestyle Ski Team is set to host the Hampton Inn State Mogul Skiing Championship at Purgatory Resort this weekend.
Over 100 freestyle mogul skiers, ages 8 to 14, will make the trip from Aspen, Pajarito, Steamboat Springs, Summit County, Telluride, Vail and Winter Park to compete against the decorated Purgatory team at its home venue.
The Purgatory boys competitors are Ryan Bell, Chase Connors, Balin Kirk, Jaden Kirk, Aiden Quayle, Hunter Rawles, Finn Skowlund, Kai Skowlund and Corbett Thomas. The Purgatory girls will be led into action by Megan Faherty, Amara Kirk, Lucy Klotz and Nina Quayle.
The skiers are scored on turn quality, air difficulty and execution with speed down the moguls on Upper Bull run at Purgatory.
“We are really excited to bring these state championships to Purgatory,” Purgatory Freestyle Program Director Kirk Rawles said in an email to The Durango Herald. “We are really proud of our hometown ski mountain and want to show it off to the rest of the state. The Hampton Inn here in Durango has really helped us as the local sponsor. It is always fun when the sponsors get really excited in supporting our local athletes.”
Basin Printing, Mercy Sports Medicine, Mild to Wild, Purgatory Resort and Zia Taqueria have all pitched in to bring the event to Durango.
The championships include three days of moguls action with the more advanced Rocky Qualifier Series athletes skiing on Friday. Saturday’s competitions with feature the younger skiers, while the Sunday finale will have competitors skiing side by side for big air, turns and speed.
Competition will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and spectators are welcome. Zia Taqueria will host a party at the Hampton Inn at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $10 per person with proceeds going to the Purgatory Freestyle team.
