Anderson earns a shot at "Next X" national finals

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint resident Drew Anderson added a new twist to his racing career over the weekend by winning the Northwest Regional "Next X" competition at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Athletes from all over the Northwest competed for a single slot at the national finals to be held in Keystone, Colo. in April (watch for it on NBC).

The event included slopestyle skiing, terrain park jumps, a timed NASTAR run and a personal interview with the judges.

A large field of competitors competed in a single division, age 9-13, male and female, skiers and boarders. Anderson took first place in the NASTAR race, swooped off-piste into the slopestyle, popped air landing switch and skied out in that manner, wowing the judges.

In the terrain park phase, he launched 720's and performed difficult toe rail grinds, further strengthening his position.

Possibly his strongest event was the interview where he impressed the judges with character and diversity.

You may recall Drew is also a stand-out J3 for SARS and has been selected to the PNSA Junior Olympic squad, which will compete in Sun Valley, March 19-21.

Now Drew's (and his family's) life is further complicated. I talked with his bemused parents this weekend and all they could do was laugh. Drew is an interesting fellow.