Gasser and McMorris best action sports athletes

Slopestyle specialists Anna Gasser (AUT) and Mark McMorris (CAN) have won their respective first ESPY award as best action sports athlete on Wednesday night.

While Gasser claimed the precious title right at her career's first nomination, it was the fourth time the three-time X Games gold medallist from Canada had been nominated for an ESPY.

Both riders were honoured for their outstanding season after both not only won X Games medals but also the big air as well as snowboard freestyle overall World Cup title.

In addition, Gasser, who edged off US skateboarder Lacey Baker, freeskier Kelly Sildaru (EST) and surfer Tyler Wright from Australia in the online fan voting, triumphed in the big air world championships event where she also became the first female to land a backside 1080 double cork in competition.

“I can't believe that I won”, said the 25-year-old from Millstatt who attended the show staged in the Los Angeles Microsoft Theater.

“It was an honour for me to be nominated but now I'm even more happier to have been voted number one. I want to thank everyone who voted for me. It means a lot to win a fan voting.”

McMorris, who sustained serious injuries such as broken jaw, ruptured spleen and stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures and a collapsed left lung, when he crashed going off a jump in the B.C. backcountry in March, prevailed over Norwegian freeskier Oystein Braaten, surfer John John Florence (USA) and skateboarder Nyjah Huston (USA).