Pro skier brings all-female competition to Seven Springs
Kristi Leskinen just got back from Japan, and next week she's headed to Switzerland for the Orage European Freeski Open.
But in between, the Hopwood native and professional freestyle skier is bringing a first-of-its-kind, all-female ski and snowboard competition to Seven Springs.
"It made me happy to think I could bring an event of this level to the place I grew up skiing," said Leskinen, 28. "I think for the people of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, it's a chance to see something they'd never get to see otherwise. I think places like Colorado and Utah are overdone with events, so it's exciting to bring something new here."
Leskinen got the idea to host a women's-only competition from thinking about how sports such as golf and tennis employ different rules for men and women. Not so for professional skiing and snowboarding.
"This is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, and when we go to big events, we're put on the same courses as the men," Leskinen said. "It's not that we can't do it, it's just that I don't think it gives us the chance to really showcase our abilities. I wanted to do an all-women's event where the jumps were a little smaller, and the format was built so that girls can do their best tricks and really have fun."
Pennsylvania is no breeding ground for pro skiers and snowboarders, but Leskinen said that for the type of skiing she specializes in - going off jumps, doing tricks, sliding rails, etc. - Seven Springs is just as good as any.
Leskinen honed her style at the Laurel Highlands mountain and has since established herself as a trailblazer in the sport of women's freeskiing.
Along with Olympian and professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, Leskinen was nominated for "best action sports female" at the Teen Choice Awards last year. It was at her persistent urging that the X Games finally included a women's freestyle skiing event in 2005.
Back in 1999, she was the only woman entered in the Big Air event at the U.S. Open and one of only a handful of women in the pipe event. She was also the first female ever to pull off a rodeo 720 -- essentially a double off-axis backflip -- in competition.
And then there's the pin-up part.
Leskinen, who bears striking resemblance to Claudia Schiffer, was ranked No. 90 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list in 2005 and one of ESPN's hottest female athletes.
But it's young girls and women who Leskinen, a life-long athlete in everything from wakeboarding to track to swimming, really hopes to inspire this weekend.
"I know how much sports empower young girls and women," Leskinen said. "A little girl can look up to other girls and say, 'If she can do it, I can do it.' "
Additional Information:
Monster Energy Homecoming
Monster Energy Homecoming Kristi Leskinen Invitational
Hopwood native and professional freeskier Kristi Leskinen is bringing an all-women's skiing and snowboarding event to Seven Springs this weekend. Here's a look at who's going to be there and the schedule of events:
What it is : Rider-judged jam event encouraging the all-female field to go for the biggest tricks up their sleeves. The prize purse is $20,000.
Who's competing : Skier Kristi Leskinen (2nd place, slopestyle, 2009 Aspen Open; Bronze medal, women's superpipe, Winter X Games IX; 2nd place, slopestyle, 2008 North American Open; 2nd place, halfpipe, 2005 World Championships); skier Sarah Burke (three-time Winter X Games gold medalist); skier Greta Eliassen (1st place, superpipe, Winter X Games 2005 and 2006; 2nd place, superpipe, Winter X Games 2007); snowboarder Channelle Sladics (6th place, slopestyle, Vans Cup 2006, 3rd place, Nikita Chikita, Tahoe Slopes 2005); snowboarder Hana Beaman (three-time Winter X Games silver medalist); plus others.
What's unique : Other than the all-female format, Snow Park Technologies is specially designing the course for the event before moving on to design the Burton US Open terrain.
Today : 10 a.m.-6 p.m., all-day practice in The Spot terrain park
Saturday : 9 a.m.-noon, practice in The Spot; 12-12:45 p.m., first heat; 1:15-1:45 p.m. second heat; 2:30-3:30 p.m. finals; 4-5 p.m., awards ceremony, Foggy Goggle; 5-6 p.m. autograph signing, Foggy Goggle; 8 p.m., Zambelli's fireworks show; 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Monster Party with the athletes, Matterhorn Lounge.
Sunday : 8-9:30 a.m. Registration to ride with the pros (limited space available); 10 a.m.-noon, Ride with the pros, kids ages 10-16; 2:30 p.m. amateur rail jam, followed immediately by pro rail jam.
