[Built, Not Given] From summer water ramp events to World Cup finals, the 2024/25 season reflected not only his technical progression, but also his steady rise among the sport’s elite.
Still Earning It
Every athlete’s journey is different, and Ashton Salwan’s path has been defined by resilience, belief, and quiet perseverance. From the beginning, he carved his own way. No shortcuts. No guarantees. Just a deep love for the sport and an unwavering drive to become the best version of himself.
The 2024/25 season marked a pivotal chapter in Ashton’s freestyle aerials journey. Competing as as independent athlete across North America, Europe, and Central Asia, he showed grit, growth, and world-class potential at every stop on the circuit.
In a field where many athletes follow more traditional pathways, Ashton’s route looked different. This year marked the first time he truly ventured out on his own as an independent athlete, leaning into coaching support from across the international aerials community while continuing to build his path step by step. It became a season defined by initiative, adaptability, and the belief that hard work would open the right doors when the time was right.
There were challenges, of course — building a season without the usual structure, adapting in real time, and continuing forward even when the full path had not yet revealed itself. But rather than discourage him, those demands sharpened Ashton into the athlete he is today: resourceful, resilient, and ready for every opportunity that comes next.
A Mindset That Never Changes
Through every phase of his journey, Ashton has lived by one principle: still earning it. It is more than a motto — it is a way of approaching every training session, every competition, and every setback. It reflects an understanding that nothing in this sport is handed out lightly, and that the real reward is becoming stronger, sharper, and more grateful through the climb.
It is also about remembering and honoring every person who extended a hand along the way — coaches, mentors, friends, and teammates, both near and far — who believed in the possibilities before the results were fully visible. For Ashton, that includes Coach Enver, whose technical expertise elevated his skill set; Coach Saundo, whose unwavering presence provided structure and support on the road; and Garage Finisher, whose belief and backing helped make the journey possible.
“I’ve learned that you don’t need the perfect setup to keep moving forward - you just need the right mindset and the right people in your corner. That’s what’s made the difference for me.”
~Ashton Salwan
Looking Ahead: 2026
With the 2025 water ramp season beginning at the end of May, Ashton is preparing for his next challenge: earning a spot among the top four U.S. aerialists who will compete at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. This time, he is stepping into the season not from scratch, but from strength — backed by experience, support, and the same drive that carried him here.
Every repetition. Every breakthrough. Every moment of quiet progress.
Still learning. Still rising. Still earning it — every day.
2024/25 SEASON AT A GLANCE
- U.S. Aerials Team Rank #4
- FIS NorAm Cup Rank #2
- FIS Europa Cup Rank #8
- FIS World Cup Rank #27
- FIS Overall Rank #28
- FIS World Cup Starts: 3/7
- Skill Progression: bFFF
- GMTM Top Ranked Freestyle Skiing Athlete
- Career Milestone: 82 FIS Starts
- 9 Years in Sport
2024/25 MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
- 1st Place, Domestic WC Selections (USA)
- 1st Place Synchro, Ruka Europa Cup (FIN) with Team Ukraine’s Dmytro Kotovskyi
- 2nd Place, NorAm Cup Park City (USA)
- 2nd Place, NorAm Cup D2 Quebec (CAN)
- 3rd Place, NorAm Cup D1 Quebec (CAN)
- 3rd Place, Europa Cup D1 Airolo (SUI)
- 4th Place, Europa Cup D2 Airolo (SUI)
- 5th Place, National Freestyle Aerials Championships (USA)
- 12th Place, Europa Cup Ruka D2 (FIN)
- 19th Place, Europa Cup Ruka D1 (FIN)
2024/25 WORLD CUP BREAKTHROUGHS
- 11th Place, Almaty World Cup (KAZ)
- 13th Place, Deer Valley World Cup (USA)
- 18th Place, Lake Placid World Cup (USA)
2024 SUMMER WATER RAMP CONTESTS
- 4th Place, Brisbane Freestyle Aerials Cup (AUS)
- 9th Place, Utah Olympic Park Freestyle Ultimate Airwave (USA)
- 17th Place, Mettmenstetten Freestyle Aerials Cup (SUI)
GLOBAL FOOTPRINT: 2024/25 TRAVEL SCHEDULE
- Switzerland: Mettmenstetten (Zürich) and Airolo (Ticino)
- Australia: Brisbane (Queensland)
- Finland: Ruka (Kuusamo)
- USA: Bristol Mountain (NY), Lake Placid (NY), Deer Valley (UT) and Utah Olympic Park (UT)
- Canada: Lac Beauport (Quebec)
- Kazakhstan: Shymbulak (Almaty)
