See It in Action — Video Feature Below
Salwan & Kotovskyi Strike Gold
On December 14, 2024, under the icy glow of the northern lights, Ashton Salwan opened the 2024/25 international competition season with a defining performance at the FIS Europa Cup synchronized aerials event at Ruka Ski Resort in Finland. Teaming up with Ukrainian standout Dmytro “Dyma” Kotovskyi, the pair delivered a composed, high-level performance in the men’s synchronized final — earning 1st place with a cleanly executed Back-Full-Double-Full.
Against a packed hillside in Kuusamo, the duo’s precision and timing stood out in a demanding field, setting the tone for what would become a breakthrough weekend.
A Moment of Alignment
For Ashton, this gold medal marked an important milestone in his international progression. The result reflected months of deliberate preparation — summer training blocks, cross-continental travel, and countless repetitions focused on timing, air awareness, and trust.
Synchronized aerials demands more than technical ability. It requires athletes to move as one, committing fully to shared rhythm and execution. In Ruka, Salwan and Kotovskyi found that alignment. Their jump unfolded with control and confidence, culminating in a decisive landing that left little doubt.
This performance marked Ashton’s first international podium and his first synchronized aerials event, a notable step forward early in the season.
A Partnership Built on Trust
What began as a last-minute pairing quickly became a demonstration of what focused collaboration can produce. Despite limited shared training time, the partnership was grounded in mutual respect, communication, and technical clarity — qualities that translated directly into results.
“That moment in Ruka was surreal — we trusted each other, hit our timing, and just let the training take over. To share the top of the podium with Dyma was unreal. It also gave me a real sense of how far I’ve come in just six months, and what I’m now capable of delivering on snow.”
~ Ashton Salwan
Building Momentum Beyond the Podium
In addition to the synchronized event, Ashton competed in two individual Europa Cup competitions over the weekend. He opened with a 19th-place finish on Day 1, then adjusted and improved to 12th place on Day 2 — showing increased comfort, composure, and consistency as the weekend progressed.
These were Ashton’s first official snow competitions of the 2024/25 season. Each jump helped settle early-season nerves and reinforce the work done off-season, closing the year with tangible progress and renewed confidence.
A Strong Signal Forward
The Ruka weekend delivered more than a medal. It provided momentum, clarity, and confirmation that Ashton’s approach — focused, patient, and intentional — was translating effectively at the international level.It was a fitting close to the year, and a strong opening chapter in the season ahead.