Park City's Schlopy Wins Gold at the X-Games - Now onto the 2011 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships

Local Park City skier Alex Schlopy took home Gold at the 2011 X-Games in Aspen Colorado.  Way to represent Utah in the Big Air competition Alex!   Check out his winning airs on espn.com http://sports.espn.go.com/action/xgames/winter/2011/news/story?id=6073258

It’s pretty safe to say that outside of the Olympics, winter sports don’t get the same attention in the major cities as they do in ski towns but last night with help of my brother and his friends back in Long Beach New York that all changed.

It was Saturday night in the West End of Long Beach.  My brother Mark and his crew were at the Beach House Bar, all just hanging around watching ESPN highlights while throwing back a couple of cold ones. I called Mark to let him know that a local Park City athlete was going to be competing in the X-Games. I told him Alex Schlopy would be competing in the Big Air contest so make sure the bar had the games on the TV. He let me know that the games were on and that they would be rooting Alex Schlopy.  I also let him know that I’m good friends with his Alex’s older sister and that she works for me at the restaurant just to give him a little added incentive to watch and pay attention.

As the competition went on, I started receiving text message after text message from my friends and family back in NY.  They were blown away by his performance, here are some of the messages.

Cait-“This kid is so sickkkkkk.”

Matt-“How do these guys land those jumps so easily?”

Mark-“Your boy is killing it.

Kevin-“This kid is incredible.”

Mark-“Schlopy, Schlopy, Schlopy!!!!!”

Mark-“He killed it!  We had the whole Beach House Bar rooting for him. Whole place was chanting his name, Schlopy, Schlopy, Schlopy”

So now that the X-games are wrapping up come on up to Park City and Deer Valley next week to check out the 2011 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships.  Maybe Alex can take home another gold, this time on his home turf. 

Here is a short video I made last year, sorry if it’s all over the place I didn’t really know how to edit these things then, but you get the idea it's a great time. 

Here is all the info directly from the Deer Valley website.

2011 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 marks the beginning of the competitions with moguls qualification and finals taking place at Deer Valley Resort and qualification for ski slopestyle at Park City Mountain Resort. Experience the official Opening Ceremonies on Wedneday evening on Main Street, complete with live entertainment featuring reggae music by Julian Marley and a fireworks display.

Thursday, February 3 consists of ski slopestyle finals at Park City Mountain Resort and qualification events for ski cross and aerials. Finals for ski cross and aerials will be held on Friday, February 4 at Deer Valley Resort.

Ski halfpipe, at Park City Mountain Resort and dual moguls at Deer Valley Resort take place Saturday, February 5. Closing Ceremonies will be held following the evening dual moguls event. Be sure to catch all of the action!

All events, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies with live entertainment, are free to the public.

Please note: Additional parking for the Main Street event on Wednesday will be available at Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. Please utilize the FREE City transportation to and from Main Street.

Wednesday, February 2

Thursday, February 3

Friday, February 4

Saturday, February 5