More than 100 competitors dropped into the slopestyle course at Copper Mountain today, and of those, only 16 advanced to Saturday’s final round—the top four from as many heats. The first of four official Grand Prix events, this Olympic qualifier has drawn talent from around the globe. Amid the competition this afternoon, we checked in with a handful of the riders; the sound bites are embedded below for your listening pleasure. For more, be sure to subscribe to Freeskier’s Soundcloud channel.

Beau-James Wells walks us through the slopestyle course

Russ Henshaw talks rigors of a busy competition schedule

Henshaw and Elias Ambühl hang near the finish corral — Copper Mountain, CO

Joss Christensen checks in from Grand Prix at Copper

Henrik Harlaut checks in from Grand Prix at Copper

Tom Wallisch talks Grand Prix, Candide’s return, Mandy Moore and more

Wallisch celebrates his “through” to finals with a nice, cold Bud — Copper Mountain, CO

Candide Thovex checks in from Grand Prix at Copper

Andreas Håtveit re: up-and-coming Norwegians, and being a dad

Gus Kenworthy talks Grand Prix and Fantasy Freeride

Steele Spence re: judging at Grand Prix, Copper

Related:See who advanced to Grand Prix slopestyle finals at Copper