There they both go, father and son, with their boards under their arms… Fernando Natalucci, 41, and Eero, 12, climb together, walking up a slope on the edge of Cerro Bayo. A postcard that says a lot…
Both want to go down about 40 meters at full speed and fly over the last track of the mountain and fall on a steep and difficult slope. Passing tourists look on and cannot believe the plan. The danger is high. For this reason, in several previous descents, they measure the speed, the angulation, the place of fall… The boy does it and then the father.
Three times. Eero decides to abort, Fer chooses to try… The photographer Julián Lausi and the cameraman Federico Batán get ready. Everything is ready. It begins to go down, at full speed and the team holds its breath… But, centimeters from the precipice, it stops abruptly. Snow falls down the ravine. The experienced rider shakes his head: the snow on the descent is not in the best condition to be able to face the jump well. He then explains why and nobody complains for the 40 minutes in the frustrated attempt. “Let’s look for something else”, says Fer and the team starts without drama towards another challenge.
That’s how it is in the mountains. Not everything is rosy, although we do see incredible photos and videos, like on this tour. Nothing is easy either. Especially when the condition is far from ideal, as it was for several weeks in the Argentine mountains. Little snow, too much rain and a lot of heat: a lethal combo to produce quality snow. But the No. 1 team in the country, made up of snowboarders and skiers from Quiksilver, DC Shoes and Roxy, knows how it is and continues to try to get the most out of what there is…
“We are professionals in this and we know that the condition to ride is not always the best, we are clear that we must adapt and get the best out of it. There is not always powder snow, but that is why we do not stop having fun. We know that we are lucky to go up the mountain to do what we are passionate about and more so on a tour like this, with companies that continue to bet on this. I am leaving happy because the team understood it that way, they gave everything and we ended up living another beautiful experience, with new blood, like the one brought by Tobalito (Cristobal Colombo), Lucio (Romani) and Eerito, and with the feminine touch of Mora (Capellani). and Jenny (Somweber). A true family, with a lot of commitment and passion”summarizes Natalucci, the captain of the new expedition that lasted seven days, with stops in San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura and Bariloche, always in the three blue Ford ships, a Raptor, a Ranger Limited Plus and a Maverick, That made the journey easier.
Every day it was putting together a plan according to the knowledge and the weather data and then, of course, seeing what the mountains had in store. The main search was outside the snow centers, going to places little visited in an attempt to find the best snow, either walking or snowmobiling. When it was not possible, the option was in the hills, Chapelco or Bayo, either in the parks for some maneuvers on rails or ramps, or having fun in a group on the slopes, like any neighbor’s son, doing tricks, jumps or maneuvers. The happy riding they call it…
There were also moments of competition, with Colombo and Romani, in the South American played in Bariloche. Both competed in two categories, Slopestyle -obstacle courses- and Big Air -ramp jumps-, and Cristobal won the second, beating an American skier. Born in Lake Tahoe, California -his parents were doing season there-, he has been part of the Argentine National Team since he was 16 years old (he is 18) and prefers competition to freeride, although lately he has taken a liking to hang out with the team and enjoy of the “recreation” generated by seeking experiences and adventures in lesser-known places. “I use it to disconnect from the competition and the routine,” he explains.
The native of Bariloche does a double season and from January to April he lives in the other hemisphere, competing in European or world cup dates, as the only skier supported by Enard in both categories. From next week he will compete in the Junior World Cup, in New Zealand, with ambitious goals. “I aspire to be in the top 10, even a podium. I feel that this year I took a big leap and arrived with a lot of confidence, ”he admits. Romani, also 18 years old, continued for Chile, for two dates of the South American Cup. A native of San Martín, the Quiksilver snowboarder played the Junior World Cup in 2022 and is now in the Open category. Like Tobal, he leans more towards the competition, but was shocked by his first tour with the team. He injected the team with his energy and spirit to always go for more.
The girls also gave him their touch. Jenny, 38, brought her experience, patience and style to the top of the board. Mora, a 28-year-old skier, her freshness and audacity from her first time with the team. “You always enjoy more when you share it and this happened again in this new season, within a team that is very diverse in ages and specialties. It’s nice to be in a team. The condition was not ideal, as I know it was last year, but we are clear that we must adapt to continue doing our passion and looking for new adventures”, analyzes Jenny, from the Roxy team.
It was also special to see father and son interact. “For me it is a dream. Since the first ultrasound I dreamed that we could climb a mountain together. Nothing was forced, we gave him freedom, in fact there were times when he preferred football or wasn’t so interested in it, but there was a click and now he loves it. It is special to share the passion with him. Today, when I walk behind her, I drool over the style she has, ”says Fer, always with his drawn smile. Eero, son ‘e tigre, is infected next to him. And, at the same time, he agrees with what he has told. “At first I followed him but then there were times when it was not my favorite sport… But they (his parents) let me decide. In 2021 I started to get motivated and I remember that one day when there was a lot of snowfall we made a snow park in the backyard of the house (in San Martín) and I did a 360 (degrees). It was a click and from there I did not stop ”, adds the boy.
Sharing a tour for the first time was special. “Since the chance arose, I’ve been thinking about this, what it would be like… Dad kept it hidden from me until the surprise came. And I really loved being part of it, hanging out with the other kids, seeing how they manage, the way they live together, how the material is produced… I learned a lot”, recounts Eero, who left a sentence about how he got along with daddy on the team. “Here it was Fernando more than dad”, sums up who is already planning to start competing. Natalucci, DC rider and team manager, listens to him and is proud.
“I saw it very well, understanding that there are other rhythms, other times. It is not just walking, doing tricks or getting to know the mountains. It is working as a team, living with people and especially having patience. Sometimes you have to wait and give priority to others to do their thing. There was a lot I could learn and I think that is being understood”comments as a father and leader of the group.
The results were visible, in the photos and videos. The team got the most out of him on the condition that he found. But he also shared, enjoyed and learned. And many times that is more important than the first.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
