Kyle Mattice has officially reached his goal for the 2016-17 season. Kyle, who trains with the agenda freeski team in Barrie, has qualified for the Canadian Junior Freestyle Skiing Championships in Whistler, B.C. on April 4-9, 2017.
Kyle has been working very hard at perfecting his jumps during training at Mount Saint Louis Moonstone with his team and coaches and in competitions this year. At the Timber Tour Provincials on February 24-26, he placed third in both of his Slopestyle events.
The Timber Tour is Ontario’s provincial competition series that includes three freestyle skiing disciplines: Moguls, Slopestyle and Halfpipe. The athletes travel across Ontario to compete in a meaningful, athlete-centred, community supported, fair, safe and fun competition circuit. In a Timber Tour stop at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area (HVHSA) earlier this year, Kyle placed third and first in the two competitions that weekend. “Winning the second Timber Tour event at Hidden Valley was my most memorable moment of my season,” he said. “I changed up my run on the Sunday to go for the win and I did!”
During the championships at Whistler Blackcomb in April, Kyle will be competing in Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air. He will be judged on his two best runs out of three separate heats.
Kyle Mattice takes to the air (Photo: Alan Maclean)
When asked if he is surprised by his own personal growth, he answered, “I didn’t expect to learn as many new tricks as I did this year.” The Cork 900 – an off-axis spin rather than a flip – is his signature jump; he first attempted it at the Timber Tour stop at HVHSA. Kyle explained that it takes a full day of training to work on a new trick using the airbag at Mount Saint Louis before he feels comfortable taking the trick to the snow.
For March break, Kyle and his family will be traveling to the Canadian Open Tour (COT) in Stoneham, Quebec where he will be one of the youngest athletes competing in the Slopestyle and Halfpipe competitions against older athletes who compete at the U16 and U18 levels. This tour is an open event so there are no specific age categories.
The Canadian Junior Freestyle Skiing Championships in April will be the final event of the season for Kyle but he said that he will be training during the spring and summer using trampolines and the water ramp at Horseshoe Resort to prepare for next year’s season.
Kyle sends many thanks to his mom and dad and his coaches for believing and supporting him all the way. Good luck at the Junior Championships, Kyle!
Related story: Kyle Mattice: freestyle skier, young role model and fantastic athlete
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Good for you Kyle! We’re rooting for you!
Leslie & the team @ ProActive Rehab!!!