18-Year-Old Winter Park Freestyle Skier Wins Bronze at FIS Junior World Ski Championships

Asher Michel, an 18-year-old freestyle skier from Winter Park Competition Center, recently won bronze at the FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships held in Valmalenco, Italy. In early April, Michel traveled to Chiesa Resort in Italy to compete against top athletes from around the world.

On April 5th, Michel earned third place in moguls alongside Mateo Jeannesson of Great Britain and Daeyoon Jung of South Korea, who won gold and silver respectively. The following day on April 6th, Michel finished in fourth place in dual moguls. This marked Michel’s second time participating in the junior world championships. In 2023, he won gold in team dual moguls with teammate Alli Macuga and also clinched third place in moguls.

Throughout the past season, Michel achieved several milestones including winning gold in dual moguls at Vermont’s Stratton Mountain Resort in the NorAm Cup on March 2nd. Another Winter Park Competition Center skier Olivia Maurais also competed in the championships and earned 14th place in moguls and rose to seventh place in dual moguls.

Michel was judged on turns, air, and speed during both events. After his impressive performance at the Junior World Championships, Michel secured his title as one of the top freestyle skiers globally for 2024. His success follows his previous victory at the championships where he claimed top honors celebrating on the podium after winning bronze in moguls has proven him as a formidable contender in the world of freestyle skiing.