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The Subaru U.S. Extreme Freeskiing Championships (USEFC) at Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) last week showcased both world-class skiing and record snowfall. CBMR Pro Ropes were dropped from the usually “off limits” vertical, cliff-strewn “Big Hourglass” to challenge finalists and super finalists. Whistler, BC’s Jen Ashton dominated the women’s field. Her powerhouse approach led her to a first-place finish in the women’s field with a final score of 93.00. Colby Adams of Breckenridge, CO came in at number two with 89.00 points, and Alta, UT’s Hannah Whitney took third place with a 79.25 point total.

Coming into the men’s finals in top position, Dane Tudor of Red Mountain, BC skied flawlessly. He also made history in executing an incredible launch across "Gary’s Gap," a terrain feature never before successfully landed in competition. Sick Bird Award winner Kiffor Berg of Aspen, CO blew the crowd away during his Super Finals run, lining up to an 80+ foot drop and dropping in for the long flight. After a full slate of action-packed, often mind-blowing skiing, it was Whistler, CO’s Brett Crabtree who racked up 112 points to take away one of the most coveted titles in freeskiing. Cliff Bennett of Snowbird, UT claimed the number two spot just behind Bennett with 110.99 points, and Tudor finished in third with 110.75 points.

The North Face Young Gun awards for amazing athletes in the under 21 crowd went to 18-year-old up-and-comers Tudor (first place) and  Adams (second place).  In the Master’s category, Squaw Valley, CA’s Nancy Elrod came away in top position with 66.58 points, followed by Michelle Keener of Big Sky, MT with 62.15, and Teri Siebert of Vail, CO, in third place with 44.48 points. The men’s Masters was led by Scott Kennett of Telluride, CO, with 83.83 points, Marc Schllhorn of Crested Butte, CO with 77.5, and Tim Naylor of Taos, NM, in third position with a score of 70.33.

Next up…

2008 Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series & Freeskiing World Tour Schedule

• Subaru Jackson Hole Freeskiing Open, Jackson Hole, WY, March 13-16

• Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT, March 18-23 (World Tour #2)

• Subaru Freeskiing World Championships and Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Finals, Alyeska, AK, April 9-13 (World Tour #3)

Watch complete same-day coverage on www.usfreeskiing.com