Colorado Freeride Festival kicks off (with photo gallery/video)
Chris Raeber received medical attention after a break in his right arm during his first run of the day. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7626Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7639His bike fired off the course and into a ditch, while the rider got tangled in the boundary tape. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7599Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7636Winners of the Women's Super Downhill pro race. From left to right: Sarsha Huntington, Jacqueline Thomas and Jill Behlen. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7749Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7582Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7631Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7689Visitors sat on the side of the mountain for the best vantage point for the Maxxis Slopestyle qualifying round. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7714Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_753426 athletes competed for a spot in the Slopestyle finals tomorrow afternoon. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7577The Maxxis BMX Stunt team put on a show for guests in the Winter Park Village. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7528A rider blows out his back tire landing on the second jump of the course. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7598The course build for the Maxxis Slopestyle competition features a series of ramps and massive jumps. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7587Racers finishing the downhill track. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7658The biggest crowds surrounded the Maxxis Slopestyle qualifiers. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7569Even those who weren't competing brought their bikes to show off some moves. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7669Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7663Activities abound at the Colorado Freeride Festival, including a rock wall and bungee trampolines. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7561Winner of the Men's Super Downhill pro race Dillon Lemarr. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7761Plenty of families came out to enjoy miniature golf and to take on the alpine slide. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7645Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7549Winners of the Men's Super Downhill pro race from left to right: Trevor Humphries, Dillon Lemarr and Mike Giese. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7760The Slopestyle course is at Sorensen Park, overlooking the rest of the festival village at Winter Park Resort. Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7614Sawyer D'Argonne / Sky-Hi News.
IMG_7700
Winter Park Resort was packed on Friday as the Colorado Freeride Festival kicked off, inviting guests from around the world to spectate amazing stunts, massive tricks and much more.
“It’s the biggest festival in the state and it’s known very well around the world to mountain bikers,” said Morris who came from South Africa to see the festival. “We really wanted to see the slopestyle event and to ride the mountain as well.”
Visitors came out in force to witness the Maxxis Slopestyle qualifiers, the festival’s signature event, that featured 26 world class riders throwing their best tricks to earn their spot in the finals. Nicholi Rogatkin, Max Fredricksson and Brayden Hay led the pack of 16 that will move on to the championship round tomorrow afternoon.
“Today was just [qualifiers] but they put on a show regardless,” said Ben from Denver. “My favorite slopestyle rider, Nicholi Rogatkin, was up today and I wanted to see him and see if he’d pull the 1080, and he did so I’m pretty stoked.”
The Super Downhill event was also held today, with Dillon Lemarr and Jacqueline Thomas winning the Men and Women’s pro race respectively.
Those who weren’t participating in the events found plenty of fun around the village where they took to miniature golf, the alpine slide and biking around Trestle Park.
The Colorado Freeride Festival continues through Sunday afternoon.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.