Presented by 4FRNT Skis at Wilmot Mountain
The clouds on March 5th presented the 2016’s Midwest Mogul Mash course some must needed cover to accommodate its hungry competitors a day to duke it out for the podium and earn the coveted Mogul Master award. In addition to the Mogul Master, there were skiers of all ages competing in bracketed age groups:
- 12 and Under: Red Riders
- 13-18: Buckshots
- 19-39: Magnums
- 40+: Muzzle Loaders
“The Mogul Mash is all about wrapping up a season long high and celebrating skiing in the Midwest,” says Matt Sterbenz, the Founder of the Midwest Mogul Mash, and its presenting sponsor, 4FRNT Skis. “If you can ski the bumps at Wilmot, you can ski anywhere in the world.” The event blossomed in its second year by adding two Podiums Presentations: their was the "Queens" for the top finishing women, and the "Knuckle-draggers," for the snowboarders who scored the highest overall regardless their age group. In addition, there was more airtime this year, as the course boasted parallel lines that funneled into side-by-side 10-foot tall “show time” kickers at the bottom. While some skiers preferred the course alone, it became a trend in the second heats that skiers would line up and “dual” the course, shoulder to shoulder in a race for the bottom while advancing over two major airs and nearly 200 feet of fall line moguls, some in zipper line formation, and some of another sort. In the end it was Muzzle Loader’s Terry Ketlinski to take the coveted 2016 Mogul Master award, who delivered an emotional acceptance speech that closed with exclamation, “Bring bump skiing back!”
A complete list of the events 51 competitors and where they finished can be found here.
The event also produced for its first time a media platform, complete with an on-site journalist, photographer and cinematographer. Powder Magazine had their Editor-at-Large Matt Hansen in attendance, who, respectively competed in head-to-toe denim in the Muzzle Loader class and finished in a respectable 3rd place. In addition, shop event sponsor Laacke and Joys sent Leonard Cederholm for photos and our presenting sponsor, 4FRNT Skis flew out 4FRNT’s Media Director and Filmmaker, Austin Ramaley, to capture the action as it was happening live. With a stacked roster and lots of eyes and ears on course, the coverage of this year’s Mogul Mash will be showcased in a print issue of Powder Magazine this fall.
Wilmot Mountain, the event’s host stated in close at the emotion fueled Award Ceremony, “It’s humbling to see the pure passion these Midwest skiers pour out over a spring day in the bumps. We are excited to welcome back the Midwest Mogul Mash for its 3rd Annual in 2017. After our $13.2 million renovation project is complete in the fall of 2016, Wilmot will provide a superior Vail Resorts’ level of experience for Mogul Mash participants.”
Until next year, keep your head up, knees tight and skis fast!
SHARE STORY:
