Eight ambitious three-man teams set out to take part in the inaugural Atomic Waymaker ski touring challenge held at the Dachstein in Austria last weekend.
And ultimately, one team prevailed above the rest. The United States of Canada, made up of Mark Smiley, Andrew McNab and former Jasperite Reiner Thoni, collected 4,500 euros ($6,025) and bragging rights on April 7.
The Waymaker isn鈥檛 a timed event, like the European ski mountaineering (skimo) competitions Thoni has been competing in all season. Rather, it鈥檚 a test of the entire team鈥檚 endurance, skill, creative route planning and resilience.
According to Patrick Tritscher of the Waymaker event team, the Waymaker demands fitness and creativity as well as navigational and free skiing skill.
Although Thoni and his team had few expectations when they entered the race, they were incredibly proud to have actually won the event.
鈥淚t was an experience that puts everything we鈥檝e ever done in Europe in the shade,鈥� said Smiley following his team鈥檚 victory.
To learn more about the Atomic Waymaker, visit.
