Featured Image: Ula Cepeliauskaite
It all went down at Crap Sogn Gion this past weekend, marking the conclusion of the highly anticipated LAAX OPEN 2024. This comp, known for being one of Europe’s premier freestyle gatherings and hosting the FIS Freeski World Cup for the second time, showcased the skills of a handful of the world’s best freeski athletes.
Against the stunning backdrop of the LAAX snowpark, a 500-meter-long course attracts a multitude of winter sports enthusiasts and freestyle fans. From top to bottom, riders navigated diverse terrain, providing ample opportunities to display their prowess. The crowd favorites are “Shark Fins” – towering 10-meter-high curved wings where athletes execute airborne tricks, seamlessly landing before accelerating into the kicker line. At the LAAX OPEN, it’s all about creativity alongside technique—you gotta have both to secure the title.
Swiss Olympic champion Mathilde Gremaud secures the top spot for Women’s Slopestyle Freeski with a stellar run featuring tricks like the double cork 1080. Her performance took higher scores than Eileen Gu, reminiscent of their Olympic encounter. Jay Riccomini claims the third spot, marking her inaugural World Cup podium.
In the Men’s Slopestyle Freeski event, Birk Rudd emerges as the new LAAX OPEN champion. “To take the top spot is just a really good feeling, and I’m very proud of myself today,” he says regarding the win. Ruud is trailed by none other than Mac Forehand and Max Moffat. Moffat adds a sensational touch to the finish area with a meter-high jump on the final quarter. Olympic champion AHall secured the fourth position, while the highly acclaimed Andri Ragettli, the 2023 LAAX OPEN champion, concluded the event in fifth place.
RESULTS
Men’s Slopestyle Freeski
🥇 Birk Ruud, Norway
🥈 Mac Forehand, United States
🥉 Max Moffatt, Canada
Women’s Slopestyle Freeski
🥇 Mathilde Gremaud, Switzerland
🥈 Ailing Eileen Gu, China
🥉 Jay Riccomini, United States
Click here for all results
GALLERY
Photography by Ula Cepeliauskaite
