Taos skier invited to compete in Junior Freeride Championships
Kiana Swim, a member of Taos Winter Sports Team, will compete in the prestigious International Freeskier and Snowboarder Association (IFSA) Junior Freeride Championships April 7-14.
The IFSA Jr. Freeride Championships are being held in Breckenridge, Colorado, this year. Swim was invited to compete in the championships, one of the world’s largest junior freeride competitions that features over 370 skiers and snowboarders from four countries who come together in the spirit of sport and progression.
At 13 years old, Kiana Swim has proven herself to be a formidable competitor. Her qualification for the event is a testament to her dedication, skill and passion for skiing.
Swim has been sliding on snow since she could walk. With natural talent and an unwavering determination, she is excited to represent Taos Winter Sports Team and the Taos freeride community on an international stage.
Qualifying for the Jr. Freeride Championship is no small feat. Athletes must consistently perform throughout the season at national competitions. Kiana will be competing in the U15 female ski category alongside 34 competitors from across North and South America.
The venue in Breckenridge, Colorado, is known for its challenging terrain and will serve as the perfect stage for Swim to showcase her talents. With the support of her coaches, teammates and family, she is ready to give it her all and leave everything on the mountain. Head Taos Winter Sports Team freeride coach, Andrea Krejci, along with the Swim family, will be at Breckenridge to coach and support Swim.
“We are so excited that Kiana qualified for the championships,” Krejci said before heading to Breckenridge. “The JR Freeride Championships is no small achievement, especially in a very competitive U15 ski girl category.”
“Throughout the season, Kiana demonstrated consistent skiing, finishing third in her debut National Tour competition, following that result up with two seventhplace finishes,” Krejci added. “She is going into the championships with a 28th-place ranking.”
Krejci said Taos Winter Sports Team has more than one athlete with the talent to compete at such a high level.
“I strongly believe we have multiple athletes that deserve to be there due to their level of skiing,” she said, alluding to the promising start to the 2023-24 season. “Unfortunately, we ended up with an unfair share of bad luck
and freak accidents.”
This season, Ian and Cullen McLean both lost skis; Grey Elsasser and Stolle Wannamaker both couldn’t quite hold on after some big airs; and Dusty Elsasser suffered two significant sidelining injuries.
“Our athletes are pushing themselves during competitions and training, clearly showing they are some of the best skiers in the Americas,” Krejci said. “The level and progression within this discipline of skiing and snowboarding is astounding. We are now seeing
U15 ski girls throwing 360’s and sending huge airs, rapidly catching up to the boys.”
Taos Winter Sports Team has a great up-and-coming team full of strong skiers.
Most athletes have now competed in at least one IFSA competition and witnessed what other skiers are doing in their age category. Younger skiers, like Valentina Johnson, who joined the freeride team this season, are now representing Taos Winter Sports Team at the U12 Championships — a great example of the caliber of upcoming competitors.
“Our athletes and coaches push and support each other during every practice,” Krejci remarked. “We are already looking forward to next season”
According to Swim, skiing is more than just a sport — it’s integral to how she lives her life. It’s about pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles and embracing the thrill of the ride. Whether she’s carving through fresh powder or navigating a tight chute, her love for skiing shines through every turn.
“My goal for the season was to make it to the championship, and now that I have,” Swim said. “I want to push myself to ski my best and be proud of the outcome.”
She will compete at the qualification event today (April 11). With her years of disciplined work, dedication, talent, and a little bit of good luck Swim will, hopefully, qualify for the final event on April 13.