Half the binding, as the saying goes, twice the skill. Whether you subscribe to that free-heeled philosophy or not, the participants in this weekend’s Rocky Mountain Freeheel Throwdown will be putting it to the test when “The Ultimate Telemark Arc ‘n’ Jump Comp” gets underway at Copper Mountain at 10 a.m. Saturday. Featuring an array of events spanning the spectrum from old-fashioned dual slalom to free-heeled freestyle in the superpipe, the U.S. Telemark Skiing Association-sanctioned festival will serve as a warm-up for the U.S. Telemark Ski Team’s World Cup racing schedule and will include a fundraising raffle for U.S. athletes. Race action gets underway with the dual slalom on Bittersweet at 10 a.m., followed by superpipe competition at 2 p.m. Awards and the fundraiser raffle take place at Wilderness Sports in Dillon from 5-7 p.m. Sunday’s sprint classic (10 a.m.) and giant slalom (1 p.m.) races include distance jumps with bonus points for length (not style). Race categories include two junior divisions, elite (with a $10 USTSA weekend license) and citizens (for mere mortals).
Do it — Contact Tory Hauser at toryhauser@comcast.net or 970-485-2755 for more information.
