First time was a charm for Vernon’s Mallory Stewart at the Canadian Open Free Ski Championships last weekend at Red Mountain in Rossland.
Competing in the 7-11-year-old category, Stewart collected bronze in Saturday’s final after placing third in qualifying.
Her brother, Jackson Stewart, racing in the 12-14 boys division, put in a clean run and just missed qualifying for the finals. Teammates Connor Glennon and Chris Loland, both newcomers to this level of competition, also turned in solid performances, but missed the finals.
Free skiing requires competitors to choose a steep, challenging slope, picking the toughest line which will earn the skier the highest points. Skiers are also judged on energy, technique, flow and control.
