NSWIS teenager Ally Hickman has achieved a career‑best World Cup result in the slopestyle event in Laax, Switzerland, placing ninth in her first-ever World Cup slopestyle final. The performance improves on her tenth-place finish at the same venue last year, when only eight women progressed to the final. This season the field was expanded to ten.
The 16‑year‑old qualified for the final in tenth position with a score of 55.46 on her second run. In the final, Hickman was unable to land a clean run, scoring 22.58 on her first attempt and 35.25 on her second, finishing ninth overall. Japan’s Kokomo Murase secured the win with a top score of 77.55.
Fellow Australian Meila Stalker also competed in the women’s event, finishing 16th in qualifying.
In the men's competition, NSWIS snowboarder and two‑time World Cup Overall Park & Pipe Champion Valentino Guseli delivered his best slopestyle performance of the season, qualifying for the semifinal after an impressive third‑place finish in his heat with runs scoring 79.95 and 83.75.
In the 24‑man semifinal, Guseli was unable to match his qualifying form, posting a best score of 44.21 in his second run, placing him 17th and outside the top‑12 required for the final. French rider Romain Allemand won with a best score of 86.70.
Other Australian men in action included Joshua Robertson‑Hahn (49th) and Jesse Parkinson (58th).
Freeski Slopestyle
In the freeski event in Laax, NSWIS skier Daisy Thomas made her return from injury, finishing in 26th place.
Also in action for Australia was Joey Elliss, 55th in the men’s event.
The 16‑year‑old qualified for the final in tenth position with a score of 55.46 on her second run. In the final, Hickman was unable to land a clean run, scoring 22.58 on her first attempt and 35.25 on her second, finishing ninth overall. Japan’s Kokomo Murase secured the win with a top score of 77.55.
Fellow Australian Meila Stalker also competed in the women’s event, finishing 16th in qualifying.
In the men's competition, NSWIS snowboarder and two‑time World Cup Overall Park & Pipe Champion Valentino Guseli delivered his best slopestyle performance of the season, qualifying for the semifinal after an impressive third‑place finish in his heat with runs scoring 79.95 and 83.75.
In the 24‑man semifinal, Guseli was unable to match his qualifying form, posting a best score of 44.21 in his second run, placing him 17th and outside the top‑12 required for the final. French rider Romain Allemand won with a best score of 86.70.
Other Australian men in action included Joshua Robertson‑Hahn (49th) and Jesse Parkinson (58th).
Freeski Slopestyle
In the freeski event in Laax, NSWIS skier Daisy Thomas made her return from injury, finishing in 26th place.
Also in action for Australia was Joey Elliss, 55th in the men’s event.
Ally Hickman launching in the Laax terrain park
© FIS Snowboard/David Tributsch
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