Oliwer Magnusson and Ryan Stevenson on top in JWC big air qualifications

Cardrona (NZL) - The first competition of the 2018 Audi quattro Winter Games NZ took place at Cardrona Alpine Resort today with qualifying rounds for the FIS Junior Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Big Air World Championships 2018. It was a day for big tricks and personal bests from a strong international field.

The world’s best junior freeski and snowboard athletes have travelled to New Zealand to compete in the International Ski Federation (FIS) Junior Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships 2018, being held as part of Winter Games NZ and comprising 13 events from 24 August – 6 September.

There was no holding back in heat one as the male skiers and pushed hard for a top six score and a place in the finals. Norway’s Birk Ruud, world number on the AFP Big Air ranking, decided it was time to pull a brand-new trick out of the bag and stomped it on the first attempt.

“Yesterday I had a really good practice and I learned a new trick, a right double cork 14 blunt,” he explained. “Today I felt really good for the qualies and I stomped it on the first run, I was really happy. On the first run you’re always pretty nervous so when you land your first run it’s a really good feeling.”

It set the bar high but Sweden’s Oliwer Magnusson was up for the challenge, also landing a double cork 1440 blunt and scoring two points higher for a well-executed trick with a well-held grab and big amplitude to claim the top spot, with Ruud second. USA’s Kiernan Fagan followed in third.

“That’s what I’ve been practising this week so I’m hyped to land it,” said Magnusson.

Ben Barclay was the top placed NZ skier, finishing 11th and landing a switch left double 12 for the first time in competition.

“I landed a new trick on the second run so I’m super happy with how I skied,” said Barclay. “I landed my first run so I thought I’d just give it a whirl.”

Heat two followed on for the men with another six finals spots up for grabs. USA athletes took out the top three spots in men’s ski with Ryan Stevenson up top on 91.60 points with a left triple cork 1440 safety grab. Cody Laplante was close behind on 89.8 and Mac Forehand third on 88.20.

“The jump is running perfect. I had a really good practice, got all my tricks done and I’m stoked to land both runs,” said Stevenson.

Competition continues at Cardrona Alpine Resort on Saturday 25th August with men’s snowboard Big Air finals first on the schedule at 9.15am, followed by men’s and ladies’ freeski Big Air finals and rounding out with ladies’ snowboard Big Air Finals.

See full results .

Source: Winter Games NZ