Third Best Freestyle Skier in the World Hails from Grand County

Asher Michel, a Winter Park Competition Center skier, recently won bronze at the FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships, which took place in Valmalenco, Italy. The 18-year-old freestyle skier traveled to Chiesa Resort in Italy in early April to compete against top athletes from around the world. On April 5, Michel earned third place in moguls, sharing the podium with Mateo Jeannesson of Great Britain and Daeyoon Jung of South Korea, who won gold and silver respectively. The following day, on April 6, Michel competed in dual moguls and finished in fourth place.

This event marked Michel’s second time participating in the junior world championships. In 2023, he won the gold in the team dual moguls race with teammate Alli Macuga and also clinched third place in moguls. Throughout the past season, Michel achieved several milestones, including winning gold in dual moguls at Vermont’s Stratton Mountain Resort in the NorAm Cup on March 2.

Another Winter Park Competition Center skier, Olivia Maurais, also competed in the world championships. She earned 14th place in moguls and rose to seventh place in dual moguls. During the competition, Michel was judged on turns, air, and speed in both moguls and dual moguls.

After his impressive performance, Michel secured the title of the third-best freestyle skier in the world for 2024. His success at the Junior World Championships follows his previous victory in 2023, where he also claimed top honors. Celebrating on the podium after winning bronze in moguls, Michel has proven himself as a formidable contender in the world of freestyle skiing.