Racers' Corner - Caleb Brown, Free Skier

Racers’ Corner is back, and this time with athletes pursuing winter athletic endeavors. Caleb Brown is our first featured racer and our youngest to date. He’s currently climbing the ranks among free skiers and making a name for himself on the circuit, and caught our eyes last year after having a stellar year.

Caleb is a born and raised Fernie boy, having lived in the same house his whole life other than the ten months he lived in Germany as an exchange student. When asked when he started skiing, he proudly admits he must have been three or four, but that his dad skied with him in a back pack prior to that “so…” While he liked skiing, he still dabbled in other sports such as mountain biking and hockey. “During those years I did that ‘snowboarding thing’. But then I fell in love with a pair of skis – K2 Public Enemies - and dropped hockey and snowboarding and started skiing again.” What exactly was it about those skis? The graphic.

As Caleb progressed with skiing, an event caught his attention. The Junior Free Ski Comp. “It was kind of my style of skiing. I wasn’t so much into the park style.” Without understanding the criteria for judging and just “giving er’” on the course, Caleb came out in third after that first event. “ It was on Big Bang both days and I remember not knowing what I was doing… but knew I had to ski and go big. I didn’t really understand the judging and criteria but managed to get on the podium and wanted to chase that feeling.”

After that first comp, it took a couple of more comps to get back on the podium. The following year Caleb didn’t get the results he wanted and was really frustrated so took the initiative and talked to one of the judges, Jeff Holden, to see what he was doing wrong.

It was around that time that Caleb traveled to Europe on exchange and when he came back he challenged the Fernie Comp again. “I was really nervous… every year in our age category everyone gets better and I had missed a season. I was doubting myself but decided to start believing that I could do it, visualizing myself on the podium. Day one I was in 2nd place. On Day 2 I did a big sketchy 70 foot drop on Big Bang on the second day and nailed it, and ended up winning.”

Caleb graduated from Fernie Secondary School 2009 and knew that he wanted pursue Free Skiing. “I don’t know if I’ll go to school, to university, but I’ll definitely further my education in skiing through taking avalanche and first aid… learning stuff out on the field skiing.”

This coming season will be Caleb’s first on the Free Skiing World Tour, pre-qualified which I’ve learned is a big deal. Otherwise there is a qualifying day at each World Tour event. Two other Fernie riders, Aaron Schmidt and Luke Nelson, are also on the World Tour, finishing 3rd and 6th respectfully. To follow as three Fernie skiers compete this winter, visit www.freeskingworldtour.com. Good luck!

1. What is it about competing you love? Every time I compete I push myself to the next level. It’s so different than skiing out there with your friends. You have to get out there and push yourself. You become a better skier after each comp, look at things differently. I also love the people on the tour… we’re just one big, colourful snowsuit wearing family.

2. How do you prepare/train for your events? Last year I started training with Blair Crosby which helped me so much mentally and physically. And I’ll be doing that again this winter, working with the Chek program on core strength, and getting my legs really strong. I felt more confident with training, as I knew I would be stronger. I also do visualization before each comp… visualizing the run, stomping every air. If you can’t visualize the line, you will probably change it on course and get confused.

3. What are the events you are competing in this winter? I want to do the Fernie Senior Comp, the Senior Comp in Rossland, and then probably the Lake Louise one… those are the Canadian ones. And then the rest of the World Tour… Revy, Crested Bute, Kirkwood, Snowbird.

4. What are your main goals when competing? To have an injury free season is a huge one, which is where the training comes in. But also to represent my sponsors well (Dynastar, North Face, Discrete, Fernie Alpine Resort and Guide’s Hut). And I want to get the overall Young Gun award this year. I got it last year in Kirkwood, but I’m going for the overall.

5. How do you think Fernie's recreational side has changed since you've lived here? The Free Ski community has grown immensely. Kids are loving the comps, there’s a big turnout at the junior comps, which is good for the sport.

Photo by Sean Naugle, www.blackowlmedia.com.