Extreme skier beats thieves - and America's best

By PAUL YANDALL

Thieves stole his ski gear as he entered and left the United States, but Geoff Small got away with the one thing the Americans wanted to keep.

The 24-year-old Huntly man was crowned North American Freeskiing Champion last week after four arduous months of extreme skiing. Even more remarkable, part of his success was achieved in a pair of women's ski boots.

"It was pretty bloody awesome," Mr Small said at his parents' home in Huntly.

"I've managed to win one of the events three times - that's unheard of over there."

In freeskiing - also known as extreme skiing and popularised by the Imax film Extreme - skiers start at the top of an often treacherous slope and find their own route down.

On the way, they are judged on their aerial tricks, choice of terrain, technique and, of course, style.

"A lot of times it comes down to aggression, control, difficulty of line, and having your own style," said Mr Small. "They definitely rate style."

Mr Small, who has competed on the tour since 1997, was one of hundreds from around the world taking part this year in four events on the North American freeskiing tour.

He said most of the skiers competed year-round in North America and Europe.

After having all his ski gear stolen as he arrived in the country, Mr Small took a job making hamburgers at a diner to pay for new equipment.

"I had to beg, borrow and steal to get gear. I bought some cheap women's boots, too - I won two events in them."

After winning the two events at California's Kirkwood and Sierra skifields, he came second in the final event on Mammoth Mountain and won the overall championship title.

His Kirkwood victory was his third in a row there, and his pay cheque for the tour was just under $20,000.

"It's not a bad living if you're winning. A victory keeps you going until the next event, and if you keep winning the money's there."

When he left the United States, his hard-earned ski gear once again disappeared. But the trophies made it home and are now jostling for place in a cabinet at his parents' home.

He said skiing was almost a way of life for all his family, and he had been on the slopes since he was 4.

"Mum was really into it. She used to take me and my brother down to Ruapehu all the time. I got used to exploring."

And extreme sport runs in the family. Asked if he had told his parents of his win, Geoff Small said it would have to wait.

"When they get home - they're climbing mountains in Nepal."