Young skiers are set to descend upon Purgatory Resort when the Purgatory Freestyle Team hosts the Hampton Inn Rocky Mountain Qualifier this weekend.
The event will feature youth skiers aged 8-14 competing in freestyle mogul competitions on the El Diablo run.
The competition will serve as a qualifying event for the State Mogul Skiing Championships to be held in March at Winter Park.
“We are really excited to have the qualifier at Purgatory,” Purgatory Freestyle Program Director Kirk Rawles said in a news release. “It really is amazing the athleticism and physical dexterity these athletes show in bouncing through the bumps and launching into the air.
The Hampton Inn here in Durango has really helped us as the local sponsor. It is always fun when the sponsors get really excited in supporting our local athletes.”
The Purgatory Freestyle Team will compete against teams from Aspen, Pajarito, Steamboat Springs, Summit County, Telluride and Winter Park.
Friday’s portion of the competition is reserved for training. Saturday’s competition will be for Rocky Qualifier Series athletes, and Sunday will feature DEVO athletes.
The RQS is reserved for experienced competitors and will consist of two airs and timing. DEVO is for younger, development skiers who will see one air and no timing in their competition.
Representing the Purgatory skiers for the boys will include Charlie Bell, Ryan Bell, Chase Connors, Balin Kirk, Jaden Kirk, Finn Skowlund, Kai Skowlund and Corbett Thomas.
The Purgatory girls are led into action by Megan Faherty, Montana Fahrety, Amara Kirk, Lucy Klotz, Ellie McLean, Evie Powell, Nina Quayle and Teagan Reese.
The competitions will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and are open to spectators.
kschneider@durangoherald.com
