Hunter
Henderson
United States
·
Freeskiing
Tanggal Lahir | 28 Desember 2002 |
|---|---|
Tempat Lahir | Durham, NH |
Age | 23 |
Nationality | United States |
Karir dimulai | 2019 |
Disiplin | Freeskiing Slopestyle |
New Hampshire-born Hunter Henderson first put on a pair of skis when he was just two-years-old and he’s been determined to keep up with his older sister Grace (who beat him to the U.S. Freeski Rookie Team by two years) ever since.
Hunter’s family moved to Park City, Utah, for a season when he was nine, where a fortuitous mistake helped shape his future. His mum signed Hunter and Grace up for the freestyle ski course, thinking she was pointing them towards moguls competition, but accidentally enrolled them in the freeski programme in slopestyle and big air instead.
"I immediately fell in love with the sport and that’s where things took off for me and Grace,” says Hunter. "I've been really fortunate to always have my sister right there with me, inspiring me and pushing me to be my best, sharing all these big adventures together."
Back home in New Hampshire the following year, he joined the Waterville Valley Academy development program as a fifth grader, working with coaches Wes Preston and Dan Shuffleton until he joined the U.S. Freeski team in 2019. He credits their focus on fundamentals with his success.
“I remember when I first wanted to learn Double Cork 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s, Shuff told me, ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’ and had me commit to learning 900s in all four directions first. He wanted me to get all of my basics down before moving on. Now, that mentality has become my greatest strength: as soon I learn a trick to my forward left, I immediately want to learn it to forward right, switch left, switch right. I think it's part of what sets me apart."
Hunter stepped up to World Cup level events in 2019 and at just 16 he showed that commitment to the basics was well worth the time and effort as he became the first skier to land 1600 Double Cork spins in all four take-off directions during his first training camp with the U.S. Freeski Rookie Slopestyle & Big Air Team in Saas-Fee, Switzerland.
A serious knee injury the following year, where Hunter tore his ACL, led to an extended period on the sidelines right as his career was taking off, but now fully fit and confident in his body once again, he's back to his best and fighting for podiums in the world's biggest contests once again.
Hunter Henderson scopes out the slopes
© Liam Glass/Red Bull Content Pool
Hunter soars through crisp air at Red Bull camp
© Frederik Kalbermatten/Red Bull Content Pool
Hunter Henderson launches at Red Bull Snow Backcountry Camp Revelstoke 2024
© Chad Chomlack/Red Bull Content Pool
Hunter Henderson
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool