I watched the Real Ski-Fi segment of Partly Cloudy the other night and I absolutely loved it! So much fun and creativity, it was like a happier less pretentious version of a ThinkTank film. All those guys do stuff that no one is doing and it's great to see how much creativity there is in skiing, especially if you watch any amount of slopestyle at the X-Games. Release the Pep and Andy footage ESPN!
So it got me thinking about the pros in our sport who do stuff that no one else can do and the reactions that our sport has to them.
A shortlist of people would include Charley Ager, Candide Thovex, Henrik Haulaut, and anyone with the last name Gagnier.
Now Candide is extremely well liked and Henrik is likeable too except for when he talks. Their contributions are mostly met with praise too.
The Gagniers are an interesting bunch. Wacky grabs and slides. Charles doing the octograb was ahead of his time, but seemed like everyone was mixed at the time about it. Charles won X-Games Slopestyle one year and took 5th another. Switch 1260s with an Octograb is insane to me to this day. Vinnie Gagnier is on another level with air creativity and everyone seems to love it, but judges hate it. I dunno maybe the french canadians just get the shaft, but he never places well against other pros it seems. I love his "style" though.
Charley Ager is a mystery to me. The guy rides switch in the backcountry more than anyone I've ever seen and it's super impressive. Especially considering how easy we all know that is! But he gets hated on for his lack of "style" with arms flailing everywhere. Meanwhile doing massive swtich 7s and 9s off booters goes unnoticed it seems. I don't get it. I'm not saying he should be a top athlete but a little more recognition would be great for him, especially since outside of Durtshi, I haven't seen anyone who can match his tricks in the BC.
That's my list, I know I'm missing a bunch of people too. Just this 30 year olds observation.
