Teenage Tabanelli storms to big air World Championships gold as Harrington delivers men’s masterclass
Mar 29, 2025·Freeski Park & Pipe)
Italian teenager Flora Tabanelli ended an incredible freeski season with big air gold at the 2025 World Championships in Engadin on Saturday as New Zealand’s Luca Harrington top-scored his way to the men’s title.
Seventeen-year-old Tabanelli bounced back from a fall in her second run at the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships on Saturday night to deny Swiss favourite Sarah Hoefflin the gold medal with a total of 176.75 points.
Hoefflin, who took an early lead in the three-run final after posting a first run score of 90.50, claimed silver with a total of 170.75 points.
Tabanelli overtook Hoefflin on the scoreboard after the Italian landed a left double 1260 mute in her third run which earned her 89.00 from the judges.
Finland’s Anni Karava claimed bronze with 167.75.
Tabanelli’s victory on Saturday follows a stellar 2024/25 World Cup season in which the teenager walked away with two Crystal Globes for big air and the overall women’s Park & Pipe.
“I’m just so happy how it went, all of the season,” Tabanelli said.
“I started with the idea of doing my best and I’m really happy to have done it.”
Despite posting the highest scoring run of the women’s final for her switch right double 1080 mute in her first run, Hoefflin was unable to extend her lead in the third run due to a wobbly landing after her left double 1440 Japan.
Tabanelli said all the finalists should be proud of their performances on Saturday.
“Everyone should be proud, it was a nice job from all the other girls. It was sick.”
In the men’s competition, Luca Harrington (NZL) won gold with a total of 192.00 points.
The 21-year-old had already ensured himself the gold medal after putting down two runs which scored in the 90s before eclipsing those performances with a right triple 1980 safety in his victory lap which earned him 95.25.
“This is just incredible. I’ve had such an amazing season, to top it off with this is insane. I’m so grateful for every moment of this journey and to be able to put it down tonight is so special, and in front of a great crowd – I’m so happy, man.”
Finland’s Elias Syrja claimed silver with 184.25, while recently crowned slopestyle World Champion Birk Ruud (NOR) secured bronze with 183.00.
Harrington’s gold medal on Saturday follows his 2024/25 big air Crystal Globe and his 2025 X Games slopestyle gold medal and big air silver medal.
“I’ve just been really confident in my skiing recently and started to feel confident around my idols. It’s been an honour to get on the podium so many times,” he said.
Harrington did not dip below scores of 90 in each of his runs, and began his gold medal campaign with 92.00 for a right triple 1980 safety, followed by 96.75 in his second run for his signature switch right triple 1800 esco.
U.S. skiers Mac Forehand, Troy Podmilsak and Alex Hall also posted scores of above 90 in their first runs.
Forehand ultimately finished fourth behind Ruud, while Podmilsak rounded out the top five.
“The tricks that we’re doing are unbelievable and we’ve definitely pushed the sport so much this season,” Harrington said.
“I’m definitely looking forward to what’s next.”
QUICK LINKS
2025 FIS Freeski World Championships data page (schedule, start lists, live scoring, results)
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