Shocking Photos, Secret Passions

Chris Davenport practices polygamy. He and Wife Number One, Jessie, already have a two-year-old son, Stian, and another baby on the way. Wife Number Two, Skiing, tends to be quite demanding and occupies much of his time. He harbors an unrequited love for Wife Number Three, Red Bull. Number Three, it seems, is a bit of a sugar momma-giving him money, sending him places, and providing thrills in the form of trips together to remote places. Scandalously, Wife Number Two often accompanies the two of them. The most recent of these extravagant excursions, known as the 2002 Red Bull Snowthrill of Alaska, deepened their trinity of mutual affection. Reportedly, things got hot at Snowthrill; according to our sources, an offspring named Photo Contest was the result. Davenport has plans to raise this one on his own, without Red Bull's help, and hopes to nurture and cultivate the young thing. We managed to catch up with the source of all this mischief-Davenport himself-in an attempt to shed some light on exactly what went on at this "Snowthrill." It sure sounds hedonistic to us.

What was your overall impression of the Red Bull Snowthrill of Alaska?
It was an unbelievable event. In fact, it was probably one of the most fun and intriguing competitions that I've ever been involved in. When you combine the heli budget Red Bull set up for us with the mountains in Haines, it's like giving skiers and photographers the ultimate venue to express their talents.

How well did you get along with the other team you shared the heli with?
Scott Markewitz and I shared the heli with Guerlain Chicherit and his photographer, Dan Ferrer. On a social level we got along with them great, but working together we actually didn't get along that well. Aside from speaking French, they had their own view of what they wanted to shoot. They were into kickers on the glacier, while we wanted big mountain lines and cliffs. In the end, Guerlain and I are such good friends that we just made it work.

Were you happy with your skiing?
Yeah, I was so psyched. The last line that I skied was one of the longest, steepest, most exposed runs that I've ever done in Alaska. It was at least 3000, 3500 feet-a long, long spine. It was too big for our big mountain photo because you couldn't even see me when you shot the whole line. It was technical skiing, so I just skied really slowly. In my book, it was the definition of extreme skiing-slow, calculated, you-fall-you-die. It wasn't freeskiing, where it's fast, show off, go for it. I didn't even care if we got a good photo. I just felt so satisfied in my soul to have skied that line. It was just one of those where there's no one around, and you put your hands in the air, and it's like "That is why I ski."

How did you like Haines?
I loved Haines. It's probably my new favorite place in Alaska right now. It's so frontier-like-how Valdez used to be in '94-'95, when there were still first descents and very few people out there. Town is just so culturally rich. The operation is sort of cowboy, but that's why I go to Alaska. I don't want super organized, super strict heli-skiing. I'm recommending Haines to any expert skier who has the snow safety knowledge and the motivation to go to a place like that.

Which Snowthriller was the best karaoke singer?
Oh, me and Kaj Zackrisson, for sure (laughs). No-I think Kaj was the best. There was this super drunk lady in there-a local. She looked like a troll. She was really weird looking, like she had just crawled out from under a rock or something-all wasted, smoking cigarettes. Kaj was up there singing this song; he was rocking out like a monkey, jumping all over the place. The woman tried to come up behind him and grab the mike and sing with him. Well, he didn't know she was there and he just absolutely decked her-laid her out. Everyone in the bar was screaming. I mean, she was alright and everything. She got right back up. But it was a riot. That was funniest moment of the night by far.

You recently organized and participated in a photo contest in Portillo, Chile. How did that come about?
I have a lot of experience organizing events for other sports, so I saw an opportunity here. I really wanted to go to South America this year, so I pitched the idea to Portillo Resort-they were fired up on it. SKIING Magazine stepped up with money. I invited the photographers, and they chose athletes. It ended up being one of the most fun weeks I've ever had on skis. It was like vacation with a contest going on.

Do you see this format (photographer/skier team contest) as having a place in the future of skiing and competition?
I think the format definitely has a place, and should be utilized by any resort, state or country wanting to promote itself. It's such a great way to get exposure. I think it's got a huge future. To go along with that, photo contests for me are more rewarding than your typical freeskiing contests, because of the collaboration. You have time to set stuff up and make it great, as opposed to just having three minutes to throw down your best run ever and impress the judges.

What are your plans for next year?
I'm having another kid. My wife, Jessie, is due in February. That was a bit of a shocker, because we weren't planning on this one. I definitely have a bunch of cool opportunities. I'm going to be in Colorado a lot in January, doing X Games stuff, and then I'm going to Nepal for six weeks. We're going to be the first group to heli-ski there. I also have plans to film with MSP.

Any parting words?
I want to give huge props to Red Bull for the vision and the motivation to put on the world's greatest freeskiing event. There's no other company out there putting on events and sponsoring athletes like they are.