Americans Drew Stoecklein and Jessica McMillan took the top spots at the North Face Chilean Freeskiing Championships on Saturday afternoon at El Colorado. It hasn't snowed for weeks in this part of Chile, so organizers and competitors had low hopes for the quality of competition. But the spring-like weather combined with the perfect aspect of the venue, Max's Face, delivered the goods and the riders were able to put on a top-notch show for the hundreds of spectators in the roadside finish line and event village.

Stoecklein, who's from Idaho, stomped his final run, which included several huge airs and a 50-footer that few had considered and none had attempted, earning himself first place for the men. Frenchman Mathieu Imbert skied a creative line far to the looker's left of the course, spinning three 360s and hitting several big drops, landing him in second place. Local hero and last year's champ Chopo Diaz was in second place after day one and after his amazing final run, the spectators, myself included, seemed certain that he had won the event. However his near-crash off one of his airs cost him too many points and he ended up in third place.

Drew TabkeChilean Chopo Diaz, shown here, took third.

Veteran big-mountain rider and Jackson Hole local McMillan took top first for the women. Angel Collinson, last year's overall world champ, skied with her characteristic speed and power and finished in second place. Claire Burns, an American rider who now calls France home, took third place.