Mark Abma is probably the most versatile piece of the Helly Hansen puzzle. The best display of Abma’s versatility lies in his video segments in this year’s MSP videos. He managed to nab both the opening segment in Push and the ender segment in Pull. Both segments are filled with everything from deep pillow lines in Whistler, huge stomped cliffs in AK, multiple tricks off natural features mid line, and stylish off axis spins both ways.

Eric Pollard may be just as versatile as Abma but is known better for his unique approach to the mountain. He approaches skiing the way he approaches life: ultra relaxed and ready for anything. He does things his way without feeling pressure from the crowd. Pollard skis lines switch top to bottom with more flow and aesthetics than most people will forward, throws tricks like shifty zero spins off cliffs others will only straight air, and slow perfected cork fives where most jibbers would be working on frantic 10’s. One only needs to witness one of his powder butters or over-corked slow spins to see why Pollard is one of the smoothest and most progressive skiers in the world.

Hugo Harrisson and Stian Hagen bring the big mountain/mountaineering aspects to the Helly Hansen team. Both have spent the majority of their lives in the mountains charging hard where most would struggle to survive. Harrisson, residing in Whistler, is Hagen’s North American counter part but has spent a big part of his life acquiring advanced guiding certifications and ripping in Chamonix. They both epitomize exactly what Helly Hansen stands for – bringing comfort to adverse conditions.

Hjorleifson almost fits into the big mountain/mountaineering category with Hugo and Stian but what he lacks in guiding certificates, he more than makes up for with his ability to drop a cork 7 with a grab mid line. While he might not consider himself to be a jibber you wouldn’t know it watching his footage in MSP’s current movie Push slaying 100 foot tables in Whistler. He also showcased his ability to multitask by winning two holes in the first annual K2 Back 9 contest.

The true jibbers on the Helly squad are PK Hunder and Espen Linnerud, the duo from Norway, Nico Zacek from Germany and Mike Wilson from Lake Tahoe. PK and Espen are known throughout the ski industry for their unique style and innovative grabs. They both show up in a variety of international films this year and after PK’s podium at the Jon Olsson Invitational they are both gaining more global recognition. Zacek is known for being one of the best freeskiers in Germany and for his tireless work ethic with magazines and film companies. Wilson is known for his desire to consistently go much bigger than anyone would deem possible every day he steps into his skis.

On the girl’s side of the puzzle we have Ashley Battersby and Jessica Sobolowski. These girls both share an intense passion for skiing but are more obviously contrasted than any other two members of the team. Sobolowski is an amazing big mountain rider who spends the majority of her season skiing from a helicopter in Alaska. Ashley is at the top of her jib game and spends most of her season sliding rails and hitting the biggest jumps she can find with more style than most of the boys.

When all these pieces of the Helly Hansen International Team are put together, they make up the most diverse, skilled and interesting groups of skiers on the planet. As a whole they represent everything that Helly Hansen stands for: Innovation, hard work, ruggedness, style, passion, and most of all, fun.

2006 Helly Hansen International Ski Team:
Mark Abma
Eric Pollard
Hugo Harrisson
Stian Hagen
PK Hunder
Espen Linnerud
Eric Hjorleifson
Nico Zacek
Mike Wilson
Ashley Battersby
Jessica Sobolowski

Author: Ian Fohrman

For more information on Helly Hansen go to the website or contact:
Helly Hansen: Ian Fohrman 303-579-9153