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.

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 - Adjusting to Ski Team Rhythm

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 Freestyle Aerials World Cup 2025, the first Olympic qualifier of the season.

Published: Nov/07/2025