The opening Big Air World Cup for freeski and snowboard athletes took place over the weekend at the 2022 Olympic resort of Secret Garden, China, with four NSWIS athletes reaching the top-8 final.
In the earlier qualification rounds, first up was the freeski event, which saw Daisy Thomas qualify for the final in an impressive second place. Also in action for Australia was Abi Harrigan in 21st and Joey Elliss 48th in the men’s event.
In the snowboard event qualification all three female Australian athletes qualified through to the final for the first time, with Melia Stalker in fifth, Ally Hickman sixth and Tess Coady eighth.
In the men’s event and missing out on finals were Joshua Robertson-Hahn in 20th, Valentino Gusei 30th in his return to competition from an injury last December, and Jesse Parkinson 41st.
The women’s freeski final saw Thomas in second place after the first run scoring a huge 88 points for her left side double cork 1080 with grab. In the second jump, Thomas jumped a right side double cork 12 with grab but unfortunately had trouble at the end of the landing injuring her knee, and was unable to complete the third and final jump.
Thomas was still able to record a personal best World Cup finish of sixth, with the 18-year-old improving on her personal best of seventh from December 2023.
The snowboard final featured three Australian women and four Japanese riders, with Coady the highest place finisher, just missing the podium in fourth on a two jump best score of 134.50 points, Stalker was fifth on 114.50 and Hickman seventh with 79.25. Stalker and 16 year old Hickman, both recorded personal best World Cup finishes.
Japanese riders swept the women’s podium with first going to Mari Fukada (156.75), second to Reira Iwabuchi (145.75) and third, was Miyabi Onitsuka (141.50).
Next up, the skiers and snowboards will remain in China for a big air in downtown Beijing on December 6.
In the earlier qualification rounds, first up was the freeski event, which saw Daisy Thomas qualify for the final in an impressive second place. Also in action for Australia was Abi Harrigan in 21st and Joey Elliss 48th in the men’s event.
In the snowboard event qualification all three female Australian athletes qualified through to the final for the first time, with Melia Stalker in fifth, Ally Hickman sixth and Tess Coady eighth.
In the men’s event and missing out on finals were Joshua Robertson-Hahn in 20th, Valentino Gusei 30th in his return to competition from an injury last December, and Jesse Parkinson 41st.
The women’s freeski final saw Thomas in second place after the first run scoring a huge 88 points for her left side double cork 1080 with grab. In the second jump, Thomas jumped a right side double cork 12 with grab but unfortunately had trouble at the end of the landing injuring her knee, and was unable to complete the third and final jump.
Thomas was still able to record a personal best World Cup finish of sixth, with the 18-year-old improving on her personal best of seventh from December 2023.
The snowboard final featured three Australian women and four Japanese riders, with Coady the highest place finisher, just missing the podium in fourth on a two jump best score of 134.50 points, Stalker was fifth on 114.50 and Hickman seventh with 79.25. Stalker and 16 year old Hickman, both recorded personal best World Cup finishes.
Japanese riders swept the women’s podium with first going to Mari Fukada (156.75), second to Reira Iwabuchi (145.75) and third, was Miyabi Onitsuka (141.50).
Next up, the skiers and snowboards will remain in China for a big air in downtown Beijing on December 6.
Tess Coady launching high above Secret Garden
© Li Runsheng
© Li Runsheng
RSS Feed
