TRUCKEE, Calif. – Truckee snowboarder Mia Jones, daughter of big mountain legend Jeremy Jones, is making a name for herself after being crowned Freeride World Champion in the Pyrenees of Andorra on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The accomplishment comes on the heels of the 20 year old’s back-to-back podium finishes in the Freeride World Tour.

“I feel so lucky to be here,” Jones expressed. “The venue was incredible, the snow was so fun, and everyone threw down.”

The competition took place on the Basser Negre face. Chosen for its storied history as a premier destination for freeride skiing and snowboarding, the northeastern face asserts sheer drops, exposed sections and a vertical drop of 1,542 feet with an average slope angle of 36 degrees, reaching a maximum of 47 degrees.

To cap it off, the region welcomed the athletes with five feet of new snow.

Jones proved herself worthy of the destination and conditions, laying down a gamut of big airs combined with masterfully clean, technical turns, speed and precision.

Tuesday’s event was a historic occasion in the sport of freeride as the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championship, which makes Jones the first world champion in the women’s snowboarding category.

A standalone event from the Freeride World Tour, this world championship event is a significant and critical step in freeride’s path to the Olympics with a potential debut in the 2030 French Alps Olympics.

“I’m just honored to be in this position,” Jones said. “It’s a really big deal for the sport.”

Jones’ win contributed to the U.S. earning the most medals among all 17 competing nations with a total of four, earning a podium finish in each category (Jones’ 1st place and three 3rd place podiums).

However, it was France’s three 2nd place finishes that beat out the U.S. for the number one nation ranking.

Joining Jones on the U.S. team were other Truckee-Tahoe athletes: Ross Tester of Truckee (and Salt Lake City), Molly Armanino of South Lake Tahoe, and Lily Bradley of Tahoe City.

Armanino took third in women’s ski, generating multiple airs, powerful technical turns, speed and style throughout the run.

Tester placed 9th in the men’s ski category after he opened with a bonus air into a chute and a smooth 360. After recovering from an edgy landing, Tester charged through the remaining face and executed a final feature with a confident grab.

Sadly the weather turned before Tahoe City’s Lily Bradley could take her run along with five other women. Since global rules state that if two-thirds of the field have competed, it is considered a valid competition.

Jones’ cousin, Kai Jones, from Colorado garnered another U.S. podium finish in 3rd in the men’s ski competition. The other U.S. athlete to podium was Michael Mawn of Denver, Colo. in 3rd place for men’s snowboard.

“It’s really special to have so much camaraderie representing America and being here with the rest of the athletes from my country,” Jones said. “It really does feel like a team and that’s really special.”

Another athlete with regional ties is Jonathan Penfield, born and raised in Truckee, now living in and competing for Canada. After returning from an injury, Penfield placed just shy of the podium in fourth place in the men’s snowboard competition.

The Freeride World Tour will continue at the FWT Georgia Pro with a competition window Feb 21 – 27.