Featured Image: Courtesy of the Swatch Nines | Skier: Jay Rawe
Jay Rawe has been blowing minds for years, and he just keeps getting better. After throwing down an insane run at the 2025 Silver Belt freeride comp in Sugar Bowl, California, Rawe hopped on a flight to Switzerland to attend the Swatch Nines. The annual gathering brings together the best park shapers and freestyle riders into one wild event that you simply have to see to believe.
This year, Rawe was able to line up something special. After only a few attempts, he landed a never-been-done trick; the world’s first cork 360 to 50-50 disaster rail slide on a sit ski. It’s a trick straight out of a video game, and it gets crazier each time you watch it.
Watch the historic stomp and read a few words from Rawe below!
Was this a trick you were thinking about for a long time, or did the idea come about thanks to the insane atmosphere at The Nines?
Jay Rawe: I had been thinking about doing a cork 3 to a disco box for a long time, but it was always kind of a fantasy because, let’s face it, when will you ever get a resort to put a box in the landing of a kicker? After I landed a gap to 50-50 [at The Nines], I started thinking about doing a cork onto that rail. It just seemed like the perfect feature. Watching the boarders spin super hard and lock in a 50-50 on it gave me more confidence. I thought, “I should at least try it and see.”
What were you thinking going into it? Did the fear outweigh the excitement, or was a blend of both?
The first try was terrifying. I had to guess where my cork would end up and then aim as best as I could. I came around in the rotation and tapped the outside left edge of the rail. I bounced off and rode away, and immediately got this rush of excitement and confidence that I could do it.
I was super pumped and anxious to get up there the next morning. I had seen a video angle and found out I hadn’t gone far enough on my last try. I hit the knuckle and it washed me out, but my aim was perfect, so I just did a speed check next to the rail and went straight back up to go for it.
At this point, I definitely felt excited but also a bit nervous. It’s a blind takeoff, so I had to be sure I was lined up right on the in-run. I felt locked in when I was airborne, though. I knew I’d land on the rail, and when I touched down, it was so smooth. I almost couldn’t believe I had landed it as I was riding off the rail. I skied onto the snow and was so overwhelmed with joy. It was a surreal feeling!
What feat do you have in mind next? You’re such an accomplished skier already, so how do you approach the next challenge?
Cork 7 to a rail? [Laughs] Just kidding… I’m not sure. Right now, I’m hoping to dial in my 720 in this spring. I’ve been hurt the last three seasons during the springtime, so I’ve still not been able to check that box off. I’m itching to. Aside from that, we’ll have to see.
I’ve been focusing more on freeride recently. I’m hoping to take some of these tricks from the park onto a natural face and help build a space for sit skiers to compete in their own division at some of these [freeride] venues that are sit ski friendly. I’m also working with NAC in Park City to put on a slopestyle competition next season. There’s a lot of stuff in the works, and I’m honored to help lead the charge! I can’t wait to see where this sport will go in the coming years.
Click HERE to watch Jay Rawe’s run from the 2025 Silver Belt freeride comp
