South Lake Tahoe skier awarded BlueZone Sports and Moment Ski package

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The ski resorts have yet to open in Lake Tahoe, but young racers and competitors headed to BlueZone Sports Saturday for "Competition Day" where they had special prices and prizes.

One of those prizes went to 14-year-old Sebastian Kilgore, a freshman at South Tahoe High School. Blue Zone Sports selected the young man who competes in slopestyle and rail events in the USAA South Tahoe Series. Kilgore had a very successful 2018-19 season and placed fourth in Nationals where his "Front 630 Off Rail" won the "Best Trick" award.

The skis given to Sebastian were specially made by Moment Skis for use by Ski J. Broman of BlueZone Sports. The store's assistant manager and race director Dana Paul said Sebastian was awarded the biggest prize with the $400 skis, $200 bindings and free tuneups and waxing all winter. Paul said he was giving the young superstars hats and a jacket too.

A total of six racers and competitors were given gear, some based on need and others based on ability, like Sebastian.

Sebastian is new to skiing. He was born in Switzerland and lived on the Big Island of Hawaii until moving to South Lake Tahoe with his family in 2016. He surfed and skateboarded, but the only exposure to skiing prior to moving to Tahoe was on a hill when visiting grandma's home in Switzerland. Parents Patrizia and Matthew and sister Isabella (age 16, a senior at South Tahoe High) all ski.

"I fell in love with skiing," said Sebastian. "Skiing is my passion."

Sierra-at-Tahoe is his home resort and during ski season he heads up there three days a week during school lunchtime, and weekends are full of skiing. During the off-season, he trains at Woodward Training Center at Boreal.

"I am super stoked," Sebastian said of his first competition for the new season on December 22.