From left, Cullen McLean, Liam Kastrin, and Coach Chris McLean (coach) discuss line choices at the event finish. Courtesy photo
El Colorado competition venue after inspection and competition. Courtesy photo
BY PAULA KNEPPER
Four local youth athletes, Ian McLean (Los Alamos High School 10th grader), Cullen McLean (Los Alamos Middle School 8th grader), Liam Kastrin (Albuquerque Academy 10th grader), and Streeter Kastrin were invited to compete in the International Freeride Ski and Snowboard Association (IFSA) competition held at El Colorado, Chile on Wednesday August 8. The event was categorized as a 2* or regional event, but it was nothing less than international with athletes from Chile, Argentina, Canada, and the United States. The US competitors represented teams from Alaska, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Ian McLean, Cullen McLean, Liam Kastrin, and Streeter Kastrin represented the Taos Winter Sports Team (TWST)— this was a debut competition for TWST athletes in South America.
El Colorado is nested in the Andes between La Parva and Valle Nevada, both of these areas are owned by Mountain Capital Partners, which also operates several local New Mexico and Colorado ski areas. The three interconnected ski areas are known as the “Three Valleys” and located about 40km east of Santiago.
Over 110 athletes from across North and South America descended upon El Colorado for a blue bird day of competition on a steep venue blanketed with a deep field of fresh snow that fell the night before the competition.
Ian McLean and Liam Kastrin competed in the under 19 male skier field. The competition was as steep as the terrain. Chilean Olympic athletes were among the field of competitors. Ian McLean’s energized run with big drops and style impressed the judges earning him the third step on the podium. Ian graduated out of the under 15 category at the end of the 2024 ski season and this was Ian’s first time competing in the under 19 field. Liam Kastrin finished in 7th place with a fluid line and clean drops. Cullen McLean skied a crisp line taking a 7th place in the under 15 field of male athletes. Streeter Kastrin competing in his first ever freeride event in the under 12 male category got caught by a snow snake on one of his airs.
Andrea Krejci, TWST freeride head coach, said, “We are so excited to have athletes dedicating themselves to our sport during the summer months. Seven TWST athletes trained at Woodward Copper for a week before traveling to South America to improve their airtime and tricks. This dedication will greatly help with their progression and confidence for the 2024-25 winter season. Having four of our TWST athletes travel to Chile to ski and compete will set them up for an amazing season. We are dedicated to creating more opportunities like this for our TWST athletes going forward.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-10 07:06:00
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