Costain wins freeskiing finals

Whitefish freeskier Parkin Costain, 13, wrapped up his season with a first place finish in Revelstoke, B.C., at the International Freeskiing Association North American Championships.

More than 300 skiers competed in the12-14 age category in their attempt to qualify for the Revelstoke Mountain Resort finals, where 63 boys from all across the U.S. and Canada duked it out over two runs in the rocky steeps of North Bowl.

Several inches of fresh, heavy snow on a firm crust challenged the entire field on the 1,500 vertical feet of diverse terrain. Judges were particularly critical of any obvious lack of control. Although difficulty of chosen line is the most valued judging category in big mountain skiing, control is frequently the category that knocks skiers off the podium. Event organizers want to see competitors stay healthy and ski within their abilities.

Costain showed confidence and control on his final run, skating off the start toward a blind rollover onto an exposed spine, before airing back into a steep chute without hesitation. Lower down, he navigated several steep, complex terrain features fluidly and stomped two more big airs in his last competitive run of the season.

Ending the season on a strong note, Costain won the Moonlight Basin regional IFSA event the previous week and qualified first the week prior at a North American level IFSA event at Grand Targhee, Wyo., where he fell during his finals run. Costain finished fifth overall for the IFSA series.

Costain’s brother Ladd also competed this year in several events that offered an under-12 category. Ladd had a great season, with a best finish of second at Lake Louise, Alberta, two thirds and a fourth.

The boys are already looking forward to next ski season.

Parkin thanked his sponsors and those that have helped him out along the way: The White Room, Great Northern Cycles, Line Skis, Full Tilt Boots and Marker.