Competition returns to South America with Chilean big air national championships

Step by step sport is returning around the world, and what better way to get back to on-snow action in South America than socially distanced way above the ground with some big air competition.

The scene of the return to national freestyle and snowboard competitions in Chile and South America was the big air jump on offer El Colorado ski resort last weekend. Under strict sanitary measures and without any audience, the National Big Air Championship of Chile was held in senior and junior categories in Freeski and Snowboard.

The snowboarders were in charge of opening the event. Those with more experiences had a tough battle in the air with the younger ones. Finally, Álvaro Yáñez with a great double cork 1080 took first place, Pedro Pizarro a few points behind Álvaro finished with 2nd place, and Diego Cerón was 3rd.

The snowboard junior podium were also present and Pedro Pizarro was the champion, while Benjamín Yáñez finished 2nd and Nicolás Villegas remains in 3rd place. In women Amanda Cardone, of the national team reaches 1st place and Josefa Arellano in 2nd place.

After is the turn for the freeskiers with Benjamín Garcés and Francisco Salas set the technical level high. After 4 jumps scored by the professional panel of judges, Benjamín Garcés was crowned the Chilean champion followed by Francisco Salas, while 3rd place went to Matthias Haller. In juniors pódium goes to Joaquín Gonzalez, followed by León Lorenzini and in 3rd place Nicolás San Martin. In Women Javiera Rojas won the title.

This important competition was truly a milestone under the pandemic situation and the event is carried out strict sanitary protocols and it was really valuable for the return of competitions.

The support of the Ski and Snowboard Federation, the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Institute, the Chilean Olympic Committee together with the technical production of Snow Animal in conjunction with El Colorado made this great event possible.

Story courtesy Chilean Ski & Snowboard Federation

Photos by Emilio Garcia De la Huerta