Skiing With A Smile (and a tutu)!

Hi, I'm Stella, a thirteen-year-old young Gen-U founder (Nevada branch), and a full-time Diamond Peek freeride athlete. I competed with my team this past week at a Mount Rose 2-star competition. I am working towards the Presidential Medal, and skiing is a great way to achieve the physical fitness part of it!

To say this was challenging is an understatement. This was our last competition of the season Trudging through choppy snow on the mountain's hardest terrain is not easy, especially with the pressure of competition. I have skied freeride for about 2 years now, and before that, I was a competitive ski racer for eight years. I have always loved to ski, it makes me feel free with no weight on my shoulders. Competing in these is like a reward to see how much you have worked for this moment.

For this competition, it was in the chutes. The chutes at Mount Rose Ski Tahoe are known for their steep and challenging terrain, with pitches up to 55 degrees and over 1,000 vertical feet, and are considered expert/double black diamond terrain. 

Before competition day, we got one day to inspect, where I got to take 3 inspection runs picking my line (where I will ski on competition day). This is important for a skier so they can see the conditions, and what jumps they will do. For the line I skied at the competition included a 3 jumps, (one where I did a spread eagle), going through some trees, and LOTS of moggles.

After competing at the race, I felt like I did not do my personal best, and was very surprised when I got announced as placing ninth!