Some incredible crashes occurred at the forbidden Cirque during the competition Friday.
Kirkwood Resort hosted the third leg of the 2009 Freeskiing World Tour and Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships. The competition kicked off on Thursday, March 19th as the day of qualifying on Lookout Vista. Weather was a factor with temperatures in the low 50's and clear blue skies. Snow conditions varied between soft in the sun to icy in the shade. Friday's competition moved to the forbidden Cirque and the weather was a blueprint copy of Thursday. The Cirque's steep and rugged terrain was challenging with sections for very high speed and huge drops. The men and women tore it up with the crown cheering them on. The Cirque took it's toll on some of the favored skiers suffering mechanical failures or going for some monster air time. Those that made the cut for the finals on Saturday were faced with deteriorating weather conditions that forced delays in the competition.