Freeheelers freak out at 26th Bump Buffet

BRECKENRIDGE - The local telemark community couldn't let the season end without throwing their annual celebration.

On the last day of skiing at Breckenridge Ski Resort, freeheelers let it all hang out - literally - on the High Anxiety trail of Peak 8 for the 26th annual Bump Buffet.

Telemarkers joined up in teams or went down the freestyle moguls course individually on Sunday hoping to impress an esteemed panel of seemingly inebriated judges with flashy costumes or over-zealous skiing. Some of the contestants - male and female, but mostly female - even took off their costumes to work on their tans.

Rick Ascher, a judge for the sixth year, wasn't clear in describing the different categories the skiers were being judged on.

"No, not at all," Ascher said after being asked if showing skin helps someone win. "Come on, are you kidding me? We are a very liberal group of judges, but skin doesn't win. Although it helps get you points and all that."

Ascher said other than style points, he was looking for people that attack the hill and have "boing in their bounce."

After everyone shimmied and shook their way down the course (with a top and bottom air), the skiers that impressed the judges the most included 11-year old Summit Cove's Ian Borgenson in the boys division, Suzie Nothnagel for the women and Breckenridge's Scott Powers for the men.

The winning teams included Captain Hooker and the Nasty Nordic Pirates in the women's division, the Pinhead Jibbers from Hell in the co-ed division and the Dukes of Hazzard ski patrollers for the men.

"We ripped," Denver resident and self-proclaimed Captain Hooker (the leader of the Nasty Nordic Pirates) Kim Clark said. "We all caught air and all landed it. We've been doing this for about 10 years, and we're always something nasty."

The best costume award went to the Vicious Luau Girls, 11 girls in the Breckenridge ski patrol that donned grass skirts and coconuts. Luau girl Tristen Nicholson was rightfully confident coming into the competition.

"We're defending champions," she said. "We've won pretty much every year, ever."

The young Borgenson was wide-eyed in the presence of girls like the Nordic Pirates and Luau ladies. When asked if he closed his eyes when the scene turned R-rated, the boys division winner was not shy.

"No, not really," Borgenson said. "My dad's competing too, so he knows I'm here."

Best crash went to Ellwood Barret, while Hana Fiserova was named Ms. Bumps, arguably the most prestigious title awarded.



Andy Frame can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 236, or at aframe@summitdaily.com.