North Battleford’s Sawyer Day pictured here next to the water ramp in Red Deer this summer. (Submitted photo/Sawyer Day)

By Martin Martinson

Top of the slopes

Local skier Sawyer Day ready to make mark with Alberta Mogul Team

Jul 14, 2021 | 5:25 PM

For many teenagers, the summer months are a time to kick back and relax, head to the lake or just enjoy the sunshine. However, North Battleford’s Sawyer Day is no ordinary teen.

At just 16 years of age, the local skier was named to Alberta’s Freestyle Mogul Team in June, and has been preparing for the upcoming skiing season, which will include multiple appearances at the national stage, representing the prairies amongst the very best in Canada.

For Day, the journey to where he is today has been a long time coming.

Day pictured here in action, with close-up. (Submitted photo/Sawyer Day)

Day started skiing at age four, and by 10 was entering Table Mountain’s Flatline Freestyle program, where he developed his skills and learned the different aspects of freestyle skiing. At 13, Day began specializing in moguls, and that’s when he began outward sourcing coaches from Alberta to train with.

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After spending Grades 8-10 at John Paul II Collegiate, Day will be transferring to full-time online schooling this fall due to his heavy training schedule with the Alberta Mogul team—they will train 227 of the 365 days in a year.

Day said while it’s obviously a lot of commitment, there’s nothing he’d rather be doing than working on his craft in preparation for his return to the slopes this winter.

“Skiing for me, and especially with the freestyle aspect to it, is just a free feeling,” he said. “The jumping aspect is truly my favorite and that’s something I could do all day, every day because those few two or three seconds in the air while you’re making your maneuver is a super natural feeling for me now, and it’s just something I love.”

This week, Day made his way to Calgary for baseline testing ahead of next week when training begins in Red Deer, and will run July 21 to Sept. 21.

Day will participate in two Canada Cup tournaments and a Junior Nationals among his events this winter, with the goal of punching his ticket to the Nor-Am (North American) Tour as well, which will take place between February and March.

The Nor-am tour is then the final stepping stone before advancing to the World Cup circuit in the future.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1