POPPY’S EUROPEAN ADVENTURE

Local talented skier, Poppy Freeman, with Mum Annabel and big brother Will in tow, headed off for a five week ski and sightseeing trip in February. Leaving injured brother Tom and Dad at home to feed the animals and fend for themselves. After a little look around Munich, they headed to Innsbruck Austria, to meet up with Henry, another brother who was there to compete in the Freeride World Tour Qualifier Series. They set up camp and meet up with the local Cookson family, who were nearing the end of their trip. On the second day on the snow, a tragic accident occurred, claiming the life of Will Cookson. This threw a large curve ball into plans and created a new challenge for Poppy, whose first event was the following weekend. She firstly had to get back on the snow and then mentally prepare herself for competing on the biggest venue she had contended on.

A special thanks to the New Zealand crew who were over there competing in the World Tour or Qualifiers Craig Murray and Jamesa Hampton, also Dion Newport New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour (NZJFT) Director, for their love and support to both the Cookson and Freeman families in these trying times. The true spirit of Mt Olympus ‘where no matter what adversity confronts you, you dust yourself off and achieve what you set out to do’. So with the support of the Kiwi crew, and from those at home, Poppy headed to the next challenge. Her first event was in Chamonix France, in the Under 15 2**. This was a step up from what she had been competing in back home, steeper, longer and visual inspection only (not allowed on the course beforehand). There were thirteen in her category, and she had a great run, finishing on top of the podium. Her next competition was the following weekend in Anton Austria, where she again had a strong run repeating the success of the previous week with another first place finish. Her last event was held at Nendez in Switzerland, where she stepped up to the Under 18 category on a huge venue. She probably had her worst run of the three but still managed a fifth place in a very strong field.

Poppy was stoked with her results, and this experience has given her confidence heading towards her dream of one day representing New Zealand at Worlds or the Winter Olympics if the Freeride discipline is added in the future.

Poppy’s plans for this season are to do some race training to improve technique, help coach the junior girls at Olympus, compete in NZJFT events and most importantly, have fun ripping it up on the slopes!

The Freeman Family.