So when you see the words “freeskiing” and “GOAT” together several names come to mind, whether it be the cat-like and silky smooth vision and execution of Candide Thovex on the gnarliest big mountain spots you’ve ever seen, or the innovative, pin-point precision and steeze of Henrik Harlaut inventing a new axis. Whatever the reasoning, or who the pick is, it’s usually because they are better than everyone else at doing the things other people do.
Now, usually when people talk about the freeskiing GOAT’s they’ll acknowledge how well-rounded they are, because while yes, Jackson Karseter can spin more than Candide on rails, he can’t drop cliffs like candide, ski pipe like candide, string a floaty big jump line together quite the same, and so we just say” Well Candide’s overall better in every category, so he’s the better skier”.
But, I don’t really see the same way, because while yes Candide is the best at freeskiing, that’s not really a question at all, I think the core element of freeskiing is usually ignored in that regard. Freeskiing is basically skiing how you want, and doing what you’re good at, and even if you aren’t Candide, you can still become a great by creating something with what you have available. Long winded way of saying “Is the goat the most technically inclined, or the best at skiing their own way?”.
You shouldn’t have to ski like Candide to be in the goat conversation at all, it’s freeskiing, I think being a great should actually involve much more of creating an identity for your skiing regardless of how or where you execute it. And before you comment, yes, Candide has done this already, he’s the cat-strength balls of steel silky-smooth big mountain, park and pipe warrior of the ages. But I think it’s also really easy to invent an identity for your skiing, when you are literally the best in the world at maneuvering the twigs.
This is where the actual opinion part comes in, because it wouldn’t be an opinion piece this long without something to at least agree with or rip hair out for. I think if you look throughout the history of freeskiing, there have been a lot of legendary skiers who were all insanely technical, gifted, talented, stylish, courageous and fearless icons. But there is one name I see all over NS who is definitely fearless but technically one of the weakest skiers to ever become a common NS talking point. I think honestly, and quite literally, Cam Riley is the greatest freeskier of all time.
With nothing but rock solid fundamentals and balls of iron, he actually managed to accomplish something no other technically disabled skier has ever been able to do: invent a career, and create an identity for his skiing. I think that’s really important, creating an entire skiing portfolio that not only broke the internet, but never showcased a spin greater than 720. Rarely seen skiing mountains, and even then would only really be found hitting transitions and wall riding trees. And to me, that’s the most incredible approach to skiing I’ve ever seen. He found a way to make people care about a 90 on to switch. If grinding a down flat down wasn’t impressive, then he MADE it impressive. He made straight airs in the street actually something that made jaws drop. And it was simply because that’s all he could do.
Now this isn’t the Cam Riley gospel, I’m not telling you to change your mind, because you can also probably find this exact same reasoning to justify your own personal pick for who the greatest is. To me, however, I feel no one fits the criteria of “Making something out of nothing” quite like Cam did, which is really the only reason I feel this way. This was just a thought in my head and it took a while to write so I figured I would just post it here and see what people think. I hope this wasn’t a boring read, it took me like 20 minutes to articulate, but yeah long live Cam, the greatest to ever do it.
Now, usually when people talk about the freeskiing GOAT’s they’ll acknowledge how well-rounded they are, because while yes, Jackson Karseter can spin more than Candide on rails, he can’t drop cliffs like candide, ski pipe like candide, string a floaty big jump line together quite the same, and so we just say” Well Candide’s overall better in every category, so he’s the better skier”.
But, I don’t really see the same way, because while yes Candide is the best at freeskiing, that’s not really a question at all, I think the core element of freeskiing is usually ignored in that regard. Freeskiing is basically skiing how you want, and doing what you’re good at, and even if you aren’t Candide, you can still become a great by creating something with what you have available. Long winded way of saying “Is the goat the most technically inclined, or the best at skiing their own way?”.
You shouldn’t have to ski like Candide to be in the goat conversation at all, it’s freeskiing, I think being a great should actually involve much more of creating an identity for your skiing regardless of how or where you execute it. And before you comment, yes, Candide has done this already, he’s the cat-strength balls of steel silky-smooth big mountain, park and pipe warrior of the ages. But I think it’s also really easy to invent an identity for your skiing, when you are literally the best in the world at maneuvering the twigs.
This is where the actual opinion part comes in, because it wouldn’t be an opinion piece this long without something to at least agree with or rip hair out for. I think if you look throughout the history of freeskiing, there have been a lot of legendary skiers who were all insanely technical, gifted, talented, stylish, courageous and fearless icons. But there is one name I see all over NS who is definitely fearless but technically one of the weakest skiers to ever become a common NS talking point. I think honestly, and quite literally, Cam Riley is the greatest freeskier of all time.
With nothing but rock solid fundamentals and balls of iron, he actually managed to accomplish something no other technically disabled skier has ever been able to do: invent a career, and create an identity for his skiing. I think that’s really important, creating an entire skiing portfolio that not only broke the internet, but never showcased a spin greater than 720. Rarely seen skiing mountains, and even then would only really be found hitting transitions and wall riding trees. And to me, that’s the most incredible approach to skiing I’ve ever seen. He found a way to make people care about a 90 on to switch. If grinding a down flat down wasn’t impressive, then he MADE it impressive. He made straight airs in the street actually something that made jaws drop. And it was simply because that’s all he could do.
Now this isn’t the Cam Riley gospel, I’m not telling you to change your mind, because you can also probably find this exact same reasoning to justify your own personal pick for who the greatest is. To me, however, I feel no one fits the criteria of “Making something out of nothing” quite like Cam did, which is really the only reason I feel this way. This was just a thought in my head and it took a while to write so I figured I would just post it here and see what people think. I hope this wasn’t a boring read, it took me like 20 minutes to articulate, but yeah long live Cam, the greatest to ever do it.
