On January 25, the snowboard team competed at Copper Mountain for the first USASA Slopestyle event of the year, facing freezing temperatures, strong winds, and falling snow. All eight SSWSC athletes showed great intention and positivity while navigating less-than-ideal conditions that didn’t quite allow them to show their best riding. One of the highlights of the day was reconnecting with friends from other mountains. It was also Theo Matuga’s first-ever Slopestyle competition, made extra special by the older boys hyping him up and encouraging him throughout the day.
There were several standout results. Madden Matuga finished 2nd in Grommet Boys after a desire to repeat his first run, but with a focus on amplitude and execution. Jack Mora Bernat placed an impressive 4th for Grommet Boys, just shy of the podium—no small feat for a part-time snowboard athlete who splits his time with U12 Alpine. Ellis Eavenson earned 8th in the highly competitive Menehune Boys, landing his safety run as the wind picked up and securing a top-10 finish in the largest age group.
Sr Team athlete Parson Cotter stepped up to compete in Open Class for the first time – a big milestone.
Photos from Maddie Davis:
- Madden Matuga with his 2nd place medal
- Bridger Eavenson and Parson Cotter
- Bridger Eavenson (Age 9) offers words of wisdom and encouragement to Theo Matuga (Age 7).
