Build My Own FeedVIDEO: BD athlete Angel Collinson reports on the Freeride World Tour stop in Courmayeur, Italy
After competing at La Clusaz, France, Black Diamond athlete Angel Collinson made the trip over to Chamonix for the next stop on the Freeride World Tour. Below are her video and pictures along with a writeup on her big win and another video of her winning run.
I managed to get a ride from La Clusaz to Chamonix right after the competition, so I had some time to rest up at a friend's house and get to know some Chamonix locals. After making sure I had covered all my bases concerning good European food (think Fondue and Raclette) I was set to go for the competition. Unfortunately, all anyone could talk about was what a bad snow year it was. But I couldn't think of much else besides how gorgeous the views were. The first athlete meeting was an eye-opener, to be among an elite crew of only 48 athletes (only 8 of which were women), all prequalified or hand-picked, so the final lineup was a crew of rippers.
The cool thing about Europe is everything is so close, and we were able to move the event over to Courmayeur, Italy, just on the other side of Mont-Blanc, where the snow was much better because it had been protected from the sun. I felt more confident with my visual inspection, and on competition day I wasn't nervous at all. That is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced- to feel super confident in the start in all aspects- your physical strength, the line you've picked and your ability to ski it, and overall feeling totally excited and prepared.
I skied my line without getting lost, stomped my hardest moves and skied fluidly, which was as much as I could have hoped for. I skied into the finish super happy, knowing that despite all the new challenges like visual inspection and tough snow, I skied exactly how I had hoped I would.
As it turned out, the judges were as happy with my run as I was, and I ended up winning! One day I'll be able to describe the feeling, but all I can do right now is give my thanks to all the different things and people that have helped get me to where I am now, and I am so grateful to be able to live this lifestyle, spending my time in the mountains and meeting similar people. So to all people and things, Thanks!!!
-Angel
United States / English 
