[The Continental Shift] From a focused reset in Brisbane to rebuilding technical foundations, this training block set the tone for Ashton Salwan’s 2025–26 World Cup season.
Brisbane, Rebuilt.
Every autumn starts with a reset, and for U.S. Freestyle Aerials athlete Ashton Salwan, that reset happened in Brisbane. After spending four months at the Utah Olympic Park pushing high-difficulty triple-skill variations in freestyle aerials — bFFF, bdFFF, and bFdFF — he entered Australia focused, hungry, and ready to rebuild fundamentals before the 2025/26 World Cup season.
One-on-one training with Coach Matt “Saundo” Saunders, combined with time spent with Saundo’s family, gave Ashton the grounding he needed. Their support offered a much-needed breath of normalcy in a sport that rarely slows down, and the routine — morning water sessions, afternoon workout blocks, and family dinners — helped him return to a healthy rhythm after a demanding summer of training and rookie pressures.
Brisbane wasn’t just a practice environment.
It was a reset button.
Working solo with Saundo, without outside distractions, sharpened Ashton’s focus in a new way. Every video review was personal. Every correction was tailored. Every rep had intention behind it.
This three-week training block forced Ashton to own his process more deeply. There was no comparison to other athletes, no noise, no pressure from group pace. Just an athlete, a coach, and the grind.
“Working one-on-one with Saundo removed the noise. Every rep had a purpose, and that helped me reconnect with what actually makes my jumping consistent.” ~Ashton Salwan
And it paid off — Ashton left Brisbane with a stronger takeoff, cleaner lines, and the confidence that he had built real technical durability heading into early-season World Cup aerials training.
Back With the Crew
During the last week of October, Ashton linked up with the rest of the U.S. Freestyle Aerials Team, entering a training environment led by Head Coach Vlad Lebedev. Transitioning from quiet individualized work to the fast-moving rhythm of a national team pushed Ashton to stay centered and rely on his own pacing.
Navigating that shift helped him refine how he manages pressure, focus, and his competitive approach — all essential skills for the upcoming Ruka FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup 2025, the first Olympic qualifier of the season.
