Rukajarvi and Toutant top slopestyle semis

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Day three of the LAAX OPEN 2017 not only brought a blue-bird sky but also the slopestyle semis set in front of a picture-perfect winter scenery. A total of twelve women and 24 men competed for the final spots, and it was Enni Rukajarvi (FIN) as well as Sebastien Toutant (CAN) standing out.

The Canadian style machine simply ruled the 500 metres long and creative course with its six features earning the high score of 85.48 for his first run which consisted of a tricky rail line as well as a cab 1260 nose, frontside 1080 mute and backside triple cork 1440 on the jump line.

Seb Toots therefore edged of his fellow countrymen Mark McMorris (83.60), the 2016 LAAX OPEN champion and Max Parrot (83.33) to the respective second and third rank with Canucks Darcy Sharpe, Tyler Nicholson, Max Eberhardt and Michael Ciccarelli also making it to Friday's finals of the top-12 riders.

Alongside the seven riders from Canada Snowboard up-and-coming shred talent Red Gerard (USA), Sven Thorgren (SWE), Marcus Kleveland (NOR), Mans Hedberg (SWE) and local favourite Moritz Thoenen (SUI) will also give it a shot for the podium in two days.

In the women's final, Enni Rukajarvi for sure is the top favourite after she landed an impressive run which included a frontside 720 tail, backside 540 stalefish and a cab 720 indy.

She will battle it out with five more girls for the win featuring the likes of this season's dominant athlete Anna Gasser (AUT), Klaudia Medlova (SVK) as well as US riders Hailey Langland, Julia Marino and Olympic champion Jamie Anderson.

Enni Rukajarvi going big at the LAAX OPEN 2017

While Europe's most prestigious snowboard freestyle event continues tomorrow with the halfpipe semis at 10:15 AM CET, slopestyle finals are scheduled for Friday 12:45 PM CET and broadcasted live on the event website.