Townshend Wins Gold At Youth Olympic Games
Stifel U.S. Freeski Team rookie slopestyle athlete Henry Townshend took home a gold medal at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in the freeski slopestyle contest in Gangwon, South Korea.
In perfect conditions in Gangwon, 17-year-old Townshend of Park City, Utah, who was just named to the Stifel U.S. Ski Team earlier this season, pulled off a flawless run, putting down a 90.25. Through the contest, Townshend kept setting the bar higher and ultimately landed his first podium of the season and his career-first podium at the Youth Olympic Games.
“So thankful for the opportunity to compete in the Youth Olympics,” said Townshend in a personal Instragram post following the medal ceremony.
Townshend’s last victory was back in 2023 at the national championships at Copper Mountain, where he won the men’s freeski slopestyle. Now, on the world stage, he’s back on top, putting another gold medal into Team USA’s overall medal count.
Jake Rodeheaver of Team USA also competed in the slopestyle contest, finishing the day in 19th. Olly Nicholls of Japan took the silver medal and Finland’s Jaakko Koskinen took bronze, respectively. On the women’s side, Stifel U.S. Freeski Team rookie athlete Kate Gray and Eleanor Andrews of the Killington Mountain School put down solid performances to land in the top 10. Gray made it through to finals and ended the day in sixth, with Andrews just outside of the finals in eighth.
Next on the Youth Olympic Games freeski program is freeski big air. Qualifications throw down on Saturday, Jan. 27.
