Calgary, AB- Canada’s Freestyle NextGen Slopestyle Team endured sub-zero temperatures at Copper Mountain, Colorado, and came out on top, showcasing impressive performances across both the men’s and women’s events. Facing temperatures below -20°C and challenging conditions throughout the week, the team walked away with podium finishes and plenty to celebrate.
Resilience Through Tough Conditions
The week kicked off with snowfall and relentless cold, making training sessions anything but comfortable. Despite the harsh weather, Canada’s NextGen athletes pushed through, delivering technical runs and big tricks under clear but bitter skies on competition day.
Women’s Podium Performances
Evelyn Mullie made a statement in her debut as a national team athlete, claiming the gold medal with a clean and confident performance. Highlights from her performance included an impressive rail section that incorporated a right 270 onto the flat bar and a left 270 on, frontside 450 out on the cannon rail. Her jumps stood out for their precision, featuring a right cork 720, a left cork 900 blunt, and a switch cork 720 Japan grab.
NextGen teammate Naomi Urness wasn’t far behind, earning the silver medal after landing a historic right-side double 1080 safety grab – making her the first woman ever to land a double in NorAm slopestyle competition. Naomi’s run also included a left cork 900 blunt and a switch misty 900 mute, marking her as a key driver of development on the tour.
Freestyle Canada athlete Brynn Johnston and Canadian Zoe Greze-Kozuki also made the finals, finishing 6th and 8th respectively.
Men’s Competition: A Canadian Sweep
The men’s event was a tight battle between Canadian skiers, with the top four spots claimed by Freestyle Canada athletes.
Bruce Oldham took the gold medal, delivering a powerful and technical run that sealed his victory. Matthaeus Heslop, from British Columbia, followed in second place, highlighted by a massive triple cork 1800 on the final jump. Charlie Beatty secured the bronze, with Alexander Henderson rounding out the top four.
Canada’s Tate Garrod (NextGen team) and Remi Asselin also made finals, finishing 6th and 10th, respectively. Other Canadians competing included Avery Macyk, Matthew Lepine, Misha Litvinenko, Deston Swift, Joel Macnair, Ty Kargus, Henri Joyal, Cody Oldham, and Jacob Durepos.
NextGen Coach Geoff Lovelace on the Season Ahead
“It’s going to be a battle between the Canadian boys all season long, with podium after podium. It’s going to be really fun to watch,” said NextGen Coach Geoff Lovelace.
Upcoming NorAm Events
The Canadian NextGen teams will prepare for more competitions as the season continues:
- Aspen/ Highlands (Feb. 9-10) – Halfpipe, Slopestyle
- Deer Valley Resort (Feb. 12-13) – Moguls, Dual Moguls
- Utah Olympic Park (Feb. 14-15) – Aerials
Stay tuned as these rising stars continue to make waves on the international stage.
