Big Air World Cup finally returns to Moscow

Although Moscow has been organising consecutive Snowboard World Cup events since 2005 - with the Olympic seasons of 2006 and 2014 being the only two exceptions - it has been more than seven years since snowboard fans have had the chance to watch some big air action in the Russian capital.

On January 7, 2017, the big air World Cup tour finally returns for a night time event under the lights staged on a massive scaffolding jump constructed at the Krylatskoye Sports Centre which was the home of the alpine snowboard decisions over the past two years. It's the fifth time since 2005 a big air World Cup will take place in Moscow.

And with the race for the big air Crystal Globe already in full swing and Moscow being the penultimate event of the six-stop big air World Cup tour the world's best athletes are keen to better their ranking going into this season's fifth competition.

At the moment, three North American riders are leading the men's ranking with Max Parrot in first (CAN; 1,800) and reigning slopestyle world champion Ryan Stassel (USA; 1,720) as well as Mark McMorris (CAN; 1,600) breathing down his neck.

In addition, two-time big air world champion Roope Tonteri (FIN; 1,528) as well as British spinning wonder Billy Morgan (GBR; 1,450) and Seppe Smits (BEL; 1,430) are also within striking distance.

In the women's event, so far unbeaten World Cup leader Anna Gasser (AUT; 3,000), who was forced to sit out the last competition at Copper Mountain (USA) due to a knee injury, is hoping to be able to drop in again.

If not, Katie Ormerod (GBR; 2,110) is looking good to reduce the gap to the so far dominating big air queen having secured four top-10 finishes this season already including podium results in Alpensia (KOR; 3rd) and Moenchengladbach (GER; 2nd).

Women's qualifications are slated to take place on January 7, 2017, at 9:40 AM LOC (7:40 AM CET) with the men dropping in later at 11:15 AM LOC (9:15 AM CET).

Finals will be staged in a three-run, best two count format on Saturday at 7 PM LOC (5 PM CET). For further information on the World Cup programme in Russia click here.

TV Times
The big air World Cup event will be broadcasted live in several countries. Click for a more detailed information.