The Purgatory Freestyle Ski Team’s mogul skiers continued their successful start to the season at Purgatory’s Mild to Wild Mogul Challenge last weekend against tough competition from Telluride and Pajarito of Los Alamos, New Mexico.
The freestyle team features youth racers ages 8 to 14 years competing in Developmental and Rocky Qualifier Series events.
The RQS skiers were judged on turn quality, air difficulty and execution, and overall speed down the moguls on Upper Bull run. Purgatory’s Aiden Quayle, Hunter Rawles and Kai Skowlund swept the podium in the 15-and-under age group, as Rawles took first, Quayle second and Skowlund third. In the girls’ race in that age group, Megan Faherty had a silver-medal performance.
The Kirk twins added hardware to the household, as Amara took first in the 11-and-under girls group, and Balin, not to be outdone by his sister, won the boys race in that age group. Chase Connors also found himself on the podium as a second-place finisher, while Freddie Mickel came in third and Corbett Thomas finished fourth.
Nina Quayle took bronze and Lucy Klotz came in fourth place in the 13-and-under girls competition. Jaden Kirk finished fifth and Ryan Bell seventh in the boys race for the same age group.
On the second day of competition, 9-year-old Balin Kirk dominated the 11-and-under field after a 360 on the bottom air led to a 10-point win. Joining him on the podium was Connors in second. In his first event as a rookie, Finn Skowlund came in fourth and Corbett Thomas was fifth. Also in their first events, Charlie Bell and Ryan Dugan managed seventh- and eighth-place finishes on the tough Upper Bull run.
Amara Kirk’s second-place finish led the 11-and-under Purgatory group, while Montana Faherty came in sixth and Lauren McClellan came in seventh. Sarah Padgett took home first place in the 13-and-under girls race.
The Purgatory Park and Pipe team also has found succer early on this season. The team is coming off of two weeks of United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association Slopestyle and Rail Jam competitions at Telluride and Powderhorn.
Dylan Fullington swept all three slopestyle events and added a silver and bronze in rail jam. Older brother Logan Fullington left with a gold and three bronze medals. Both of the Fullington brothers are currently leading the Southwest Colorado Series, and the winners of each series across the country will earn a trip to USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain in April.
Ian Osby placed first and second in slopestyle at Telluride, and Emmett Stottlemyer added two slopestyle bronzes. Max Wilson skied to fifth and seventh-place finishes, while Dragon Cruz-Yen finished sixth twice. Cormac Garner added sixth- and fifth-place in slopestyle at Telluride.
Next up for the Park and Pipe Team will be the on February 11-12 event in Crested Butte. The mogul team will be host the Rocky Mountain Mogul Championships March 10-12 at Purgatory Resort.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
