Morgan and Bastiaansen win Slopestyle Europa Cup opener

Like the previous five years, the first slopestyle event of the new Europa Cup season took place in SnowWorld Landgraaf (NED).

And just like last year, it was Erik Bastiaansen (NED) taking home the win in the men's event.

The local favourite and 2015 Junior World Champion dropped the hammer on the kickers with a cab 540 indy to frontside 720 tail while getting technical on the rail section built right next to the jump line.

The 19-year old from Terneuzen stomped a frontside blunt 450, cab 180 to 360 out as well as a switch frontside blunt 450 out celebrating a perfect comeback with Stian Kleivdal (NOR) and Aleksi Nevakivi (FIN) rounding out the podium in second and third, respectively.

“I came here with no expectations at all after I missed out the last season due to injuries”, he said. “I wanted to see if I'm still able to ride, and I did it. This result gives me a lot of confidence for the whole season.”

Over in the women's event, 15-year old talent Annika Morgan (GER) earned her career's first in her fourth ever Europa Cup start,

Landing a straight air stiffy grab and a backside 360 mute on the two-jump line as well as a back board pretzel, cab 180 on to frontside 180 out and a switch blunt 270 to finish things off, she edged off Evy Poppe (BEL) and Ariane Burri (SUI) to second and third, respectively.

Full results can be viewed online for both:

• women and

• men

The next Europa Cup is slated to take place in Kaunertal, Austria where a big air event is also on the programme.