Johnston, 11, wins Overall Champion ski championship

MOUNT BACHELOR, Ore. — Rory Johnston, an 11-year-old from Newport and member of the Independence Ski Racing Team based at Schweitzer Mountain, won the overall U12 title at the 2026 Pacific Northwest (PNW) Buddy Werner Championships held March 27–29 at Mount Bachelor, Oregon.

Competing against top young racers from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, Rory earned first place in Slalom, third in Giant Slalom and seventh in Skills Quest — a strong all-around performance that secured him the championship crown.