The JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN (hereinafter referred to as JFO) is now in its 10th year
After 10 years, it has now grown into a competition that many freeride skiers and snowboarders across the country aim to compete in, on a par with the FWT
The junior category was held on Saturday, February 8th at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort/Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort
This season, thanks to abundant snowfall since December, there was little concern about insufficient snow to choose suitable slopes for the competition.
One potential concern was the presence of cracks, but the cold snap that continued into February brought enough snow to both ski resorts, alleviating that worry.
Instead, the organizers were left with the difficult decision of which slope would be best for the competition.
After carefully considering various factors, the chosen slope was the eastern slope of Hiedayama, located above the Cortina No. 6 pair lift.
Normally, this area is outside the managed zone and therefore off-limits to skiers. However, it is a place prepared exclusively for the JFO, allowing the athletes to ski to their heart's content on the untouched slopes.
What's more, the snowfall on the 6th and 7th brought a large amount of light snow. However, the snow quality was not too dense, making it ideal for ski and snowboard competitions. In the snow that was so thick it would blow up into their faces when they stepped firmly on their boards, the junior category skiers traced the terrain, making turns, flying over the terrain, and drawing their own lines
Some kids pushed themselves beyond their limits. Some kids skied waist-deep snow for the first time. Some got to fully realize the results of their practice, and some didn't. Some kids were disappointed when their skis came off. Some kids beat their friends, some lost, some had fun skiing with their friends. Some kids enjoyed the powder. Some kids were able to ski smoothly
Almost all of the junior athletes managed to complete the slope, which even adults with their own aspirations would struggle with
I applaud everyone
Below are the podiums for each category. *In order of rank, name, and score
U18 SKI MEN
2 KOUGA TAKEDA 86.0
3 JIRO SUGIYAMA 79.3
U18 SNOWBOARD MEN
2 YUKITO FUJIEDA 73.7
3 KIPPEI KATO 73.3
U18 SKI WOMEN
2 ALICE JESSIEI ANDERSON 70.7
3 ICHINA TAKAHASHI 68.3
U18 SNOWBOARD WOMEN
2 HIRANO MIA
3 CHIHIRO ITO
U12 SKI MEN
2 KASHIN HOU 63.7
3 PHILIPP NOVOSELTSEV 60.0
U12 SNOWBOARD MEN
2 SHINICHIROU ONO 77.3
3 JORDY BUTSON 73.7
U12 SKI WOMEN
2 MADELEINE MILLER 71.7
3 REIA MIYAMOTO 64.7
U12 Women's Snowboard
2 AOI NAKAMURA 13.3
Special Award
Tomorrow is the Open Class.
The course will be the same as the Juniors, the Hiedayama East Slope. The slope, with its avalanche-proof terrain, should offer some thrilling riding.
■ JAPAN FREERIDE OPEN Full results can be found here:https://japanfreerideopen.com/
■ For real-time information, please visit our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan_freeride_open/