Annabelle Francis, about a year and a half after a traumatic injury, is set to represent New Zealand at the Freeride Junior World Tour World Championships in Austria in January. Francis will be joined by fellow Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club athlete Aurora Cherney at the competition. Photo by Matt Power

A pair of local teen big mountain skiers are setting off to make names for themselves in Austria next month.

Annabelle Francis, 18, and Aurora Cherney, 16, clinched spots in the Freeride Junior World Championships next month, the first women coming out of the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club to do so. They’ll compete for international glory in Kappl, Austria, from Jan. 19-22.

“It’s the highest level of competition for juniors,” Francis said. “That’s a lot of publicity, and it’

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