Considered one of the Legends of Freestyle Skiing with eight years of competition, Genia Fuller was an ambassador to the early years of “Hot Dog” freestyle skiing due to her smile, laugh and genuine love for the sport.
Named Skiing magazine’s Skier of the Year three time between 1973-’78, Fuller’s career earned her numerous National and Grand Prix freestyle championships and titles. Her first title was earned in 1973 with her winning the Women’s National Freestyle Championship at Sun Valley, Idaho. That same year she skied for Willy Bogner in the ski film “W.” In 1975, she won the overall Women’s Grand Prix freestyle title along with the aerial title.
At the height of her career in 1976 she signed new contracts with Colgate, ABC television which earned recognition for freestyle skiing through media exposure that no one could have predicted by competing in television programs such as: “Women’s Superstars,” “Battle of the Sexes” and an ABC special “The Lady is a Champ.”
Unfortunately, due to illness she was sidelined halfway through the 1976 season, however still earning enough points to finish fifth overall that season. Fuller came back gingerly in the 1977, only competing in three competitions, but it was enough to move her overall ranking to fourth.
In 1978 she was again on her form, winning the overall World Freestyle Championship title along with three out of five individual titles.
Fuller became an innovator in pole-free ballet, touring Europe and Japan, sharing skills and knowledge with many up-coming young freestyler skiers. She performed in over 500 days of dry-land ski shows.
Today, Genia Fuller Crews lives in Simi Valley, California. She is still involved in promoting and serving the ski industry, serving on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Hall of Fame. Outside skiing, Genia is an EMT and a CPR, First Aid, and EMT Instructor. She is well immersed in disaster teams and disaster / emergency preparedness activities for Ventura County.