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Manon Loschiwas the first on the line to chat.
I was already just happy to be there.
To live that experience was crazy, to win was just the cherry on top!
The cherry on top of ten days in AK?
We were waiting for a couple of days for the weather.
We spent it scoping the face, which was like 20 minutes by heli from the lodge.
We then waited three or four days, and we did the comp in one day.
Everywhere that was sunny became crusty, and the rest of the snow was pretty heavy and grabby pow.
So, with such challenging conditions we had to change our lines right before going up.
We had so much time to scope the venue.
We had a couple of waiting days and I was so hyped.
I couldnt scope anything, and it was honestly kind of hard!
Manon boosting in AK.
P: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
You skied against Michelle Parker in the final.
Were you at all nervous to ski against such a legend?
I wasnt really nervous, because I feel that contests are more a competition against yourself.
I wasnt really stressed, but it was super cool to be up against Michelle.
And that was your first time in AK.
Did it live up to your expectations?
I was a little bit intimidated going there, because of all the ski movies Ive watched.
Every photo you see looks way smaller than it is in real life.
Everythings way bigger and way steeper.
Its a super-humbling place with never-ending mountains.
Howwas Natural Selectiondifferent from other contests?
The creativity and style are way more important than the individual actions.
If you make some mistakes, it doesnt really matter.
If the run was really good, you might still win.
I kind of took it more like a filming day because thats how they were going to judge it.
The goal was to make it as beautiful as possible.
Was it your favourite contest so far?
What was it like spending a week in AK with such a stacked lineup?
Yeah, it was pretty crazy!
So many people that I look up to.
Definitely pretty crazy to be there with them, but it was super fun.
Were all friends and had so much fun hanging out together.
The best part was the ski days we got to do before the comp.
We were 12 riders whereas normally its like 4 riders maximum on a film day.
12 people, 2 helis, just sessioning a face in the middle of Alaska.
Hyping each other up, pushing each other, and having so much fun.
Its definitely pretty humbling being part of this in Alaska.
I dont know if it made me a better skier.
Will you be back to defend your title in 26?
If they invite me back, Im definitely down to come back!
Camp Natural Selection, the wildest summer camp on the planet?
Whats it like being the first ever Natural Selection Ski winner?
It definitely hasnt sunk in yet, and I think itll take a bit more time.
The whole experience was incredible and winning hasnt really felt like part of that yet.
I had such an amazing time up there with everyone.
What was your highlight of your winning run?
Well, the format was so cool.
We did brackets, with semis and finals.
We didnt have a lot of time; it was all very intense and quick.
Craig ‘not showing much’.
P: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
How isNatural Selectiondifferent from other contests?
Its different in so many ways.
It allowed a fun team atmosphere to develop.
A lot of the competition and intensity was taken out of it by the time we did the comp.
That was quite unique.
Were there any riders that you hadnt met before?
There were a couple, but I knew most of them.
What was it like spendinga couple of weeksin AK with such a stacked lineup?
I dont think little Craig would have believed hed ever be there!
Youve skied in AK before with MSP, do you think that gave you any kind of advantage?
I dont know, I didnt feel like I had any advantage.
Maybe my style of skiing and years of experience in the Alpine, in New Zealand and Europe helped.
Having been in Alpine and glaciated environments and I think just being comfortable helped me in that sense.
Seriously, what is in the water in NZ?
P: Chad Chomlack/Natural Selection
How would you say that Natural Selection differs to FWT?
Ive been really stoked to see how much excitement and hype there is around the event.
I like the format where its not just one run.
It means you’re able to show more diverse skiing and potentially better skiing.
I guess in some ways, it encourages pushing yourself and your skiing a little bit.
NST is really athlete-driven and I just appreciate it to be honest,
I would love to.
I had such an incredible time.
Did Natural Selection Ski live up to your expectations?
Well, I didnt really have expectations.
