TJ Schiller Takes Gold at X Games 13

Winter X Games 13 slopestyle podium

The slopestyle finals at Winter X Games 13 went off today and saw two Orage athletes advance from prelims and into finals for a three run showdown. The young Phil Casabon, who had a difficult first training run, bucked up and threw down on his second run to take him from bubble boy to middle of the pack, giving him enough gusto to advance. TJ Schiller, who has been training hard all season long and is beyond excited to ski again after a season ending knee injury last year, threw down in prelims and ended up in 3rd advancing into finals.

In finals Phil had some difficulties with speed on his first run but brought it all together on his second. The second run score of 86 would give Phil the top 5 he was hoping for. Phil's third and final run was looking good to go until the cannon box when he went too deep and had to abort before the next feature. Regardless, Phil took 5th place at his first X ever and was a very happy man.

Phil on the showtime booter


810 off the cannon box

TJ threw down an impressive first run in finals with probably one of the sickest runs of the day. Highlights included at rodeo 5 off of the butter pad, rodeo sev out of the cannon box and one of the prettiest right side 9's over the channel gap that many had seen. Needless to say, TJ was stoked! I believe he said something to the effect of "Oh it's on" and came up with a solid score of 93. That score in his first run would help him clinch 1st place and a shiny new gold medal. TJ, who showed up at the event as an alternate and was advanced after JF Houle sustained a broken ankle in yesterday's training, certainly made the best of the opportunity. Even though TJ's second and third run posed some very minor issues for him the first run score would be all he needed.

TJ switch on, rodeo 630 out


Switch 10 mute on the showtime booter

The $30,000 cash prize that TJ won today will be donated directly to helping in the recovery of his close friend Riley Poor. For info and to pass along well wishes visit http://www.rileypoor.com/

Talented and generous, we're proud to be associated with two great personalities. Orage is proud of you boys, keep it up!

Photo Credits:

Cody Lynge

John Vandervalk