Porteous tops the field in men's halfpipe qualifications at Winter Games NZ
Oct 23, 2018·Freeski Park & Pipe
With heavy snow in the mountain weather forecast for the next few days, the FIS Junior Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Halfpipe World Championships qualifying competition came down to a game of strategy. Competition was originally scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) but the men's event was moved forward a day and the push was on today for spots in the 12-men finals.
NZ’s Nico Porteous was leaving nothing to chance, knowing that a qualifying result could count for a finals result should the weather put paid to a finals competition. He went big on his first run, taking a comfortable lead with a score of 92.2 but wanted to make absolutely-sure the top spot was his, stepping up with a left double 1260 in the middle of his second run and linking together switch tricks for a score of 95.6.
“I’m feeling good,” said Porteous. “I was just making sure I’m safe. I like to qualify in the top spot just in case we don’t get a finals.”
Ladies' qualifications are slated to take place on Sunday at 9:10 LOC.
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