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Australian Scotty James wins the Laax Open in the halfpipe ahead of compatriot Valentino Guseli. Mitsuki Ono cheers for the women.
Three-time world champion Scotty James won the men’s halfpipe final at the Laax Open thanks to an outstanding performance in the first run. James achieved some spectacular jumps, which he mastered almost flawlessly and for which the jury rewarded him with 94 points. It is already the Australian’s third success on the Crap Sogn Gion.
Behind him, James’ 18-year-old compatriot Valentino Guseli jumped into second place. He came dangerously close to the winner with a formidable second run. In the end, Guseli was 1.75 points short of James’ mark. The Japanese Ruka Hirano completed the podium (90 points).
In the women’s final, in which only 5 of 8 qualified athletes competed, victory went to the Japanese Mitsuki Ono, who won with 81.75 points, just ahead of the American Bea Kim (77.50). The top favorite Chloe Kim from the USA fell in both runs and came away empty-handed.
Brearley and Marino celebrate in slopestyle
Earlier on Saturday, the snowboarders fought for victory in slopestyle. With the last run, Liam Brearley surpassed the entire competition. The Canadian scored a fantastic 89.93 points for his run, relegating the previous leader from Japan, Ryoma Kimata (85.31), to second place. The Finnish Kalle Jarvilehto (76.06) came third.
Julia Marino celebrated in the women’s competition. With 83.08 points, the American was a good two points ahead of the German Annika Morgan and Anna Gasser from Austria.
On Sunday the slopestyle competitions in ski freestyle are on the program at the Laax Open. With Andri Ragettli and Fabian Bösch for the men and Mathilde Gremaud and Sarah Höfflin for the women, four Swiss athletes can hope for a home win. You can follow the spectacle live on SRF from 1:15 p.m.