NEWRY, Maine — A freestyle skiing competition is returning to Sunday River this weekend after a decade-long hiatus, promising lots of bumps and hopefully not too many bruises.
Bust 'N' Burn started in the '80s as a way to bring publicity to Sunday River's White Heat trail. The trail was new at the time but has since carved out its place in East Coast skiing lore.
Competitors in the event will navigate a course of moguls and jumps, with speed and style also taken into account. Here's the scoring breakdown, according to the event website:
- Turns and Line (60%): The excellence and diversity of skillfully performed turns, maintaining proximity to the fall line whenever possible.
- Air (20%): Excellence in spontaneously performing upright aerial maneuvers within the fall line, with a strict prohibition on executing inverts.
- Speed (20%): The speed rating will be determined by the time set by both a male and female pacesetter.
This year's master of ceremonies also happens to be Maine's finest athlete, Donny Pelletier. Earlier this winter, Donny raised about $14,000 for flood relief in Maine through merchandise sales, splitting the money between the Maine Business Relief Fund and the Rotary Club of Bethel.
"I’ll be signing posters and foreheads and setting land-speed records and drinking Moxie, so come check it out," Donny told NEWS CENTER Maine.
There will also be several former Olympic athletes and U.S. Ski Team members on hand.
The competition is divided into two divisions: junior (ages 8-14) and open (13 and older). All skiers will compete in a one-run competition on Saturday for a chance to make Sunday's Dual Championship, where they will compete for cash prizes for the top three men and top three women. Sunday's final will consist of a dual mogul championship, with the winner of each heat progressing to the next round.
Spectators on foot will be able to ride the Little White Cap Quad (Lift #11) up to the bottom of the mogul course starting at 11 a.m. and then will be able to walk down the hill from the finish area, according to organizers.
For more information about the event, click here.