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ItalianoUpdated 21.11.2022
Johanne Killi and Birk Ruud take the crown for Norway, Matej Svancer holds up the flag for Austria with sixth place
In bluebird weather, 24 of the world's best freeskiers dug deep into their bag of tricks in the battle for the first slopestyle points of the World Cup season at the perfectly prepared Stubai Zoo snowpark on the Stubai Glacier. The hosts can be happy about an absolute top placement with the sensational sixth place for Matej Svancer. In the women's category, Norway's Johanne Killi finally claimed her Stubai victory, winning ahead of Kelly Sildaru (EST) and Grace Henderson (USA). In the men's classification it was once again Birk Ruud (NOR) who took the victory, flanked by Andri Ragettli (Switzerland) and Colby Stevenson (USA)
The Stubai Zoo welcomed the freeski athletes on Saturday, freshly covered with sugar, with bright sunshine and thus the best conditions at 3000m above sea level - perfect conditions for a final day that provided many spectators along the course. The best freeskiers in the world were competing for the coveted first slopestyle points of the World Cup season.
Finally, Johanne Killi made it to the top of the podium: in the qualification only beaten by Estonian Kelly Sildaru, the Norwegian was almost unstoppable in the final. After a second and a third place in the previous years, the 25-year-old finally managed to win.
"I've been third and second here in the Stubai before, so all I needed was first place and I'm really happy that I've done it now. I am so happy!Stubai has always been a really great event and always good skiing. So many people watching, it's very cool to be here. I couldn't be happier to win here!"(Johanne Killi, NOR)
With this she left the Estonian double winner Kelly Sildaru and the US-American Grace Henderson behind her. The two Austrians, Lara Wolf from Paznaun and local hero Laura Wallner, were only present as spectators on the final day. As in the previous year, Lara Wolf finished in tenth place, Laura Wallner had to forgo the start due to a training fall. The youngest participant in the entire field, 16-year-old Muriel Mohr from Bavaria, finished in an excellent seventh place.
In the men's event, the host country was able to celebrate a place in the final. With a convincing performance in the qualification, the young Matej Svancer caused enthusiasm among the ÖSV. Despite the stress of his school-leaving exams, the freeskiing talent from Salzburg was able to keep the flag flying high for Austria and already impressed in the qualification at his home World Cup. In the final, he was briefly slowed down by a fall on the first kicker, but didn't let that get in his way and skied the second run with strong nerves. He brought it down almost perfectly, and thus took an excellent sixth place among the superheroes of the scene. Once again he underlined his skills and his well-deserved place among the best of the best.
"It's a real surprise for me that the tricks worked out so well. Because I only really learned them in the training sessions. The kicker line was really good, but the rail section could have been smoother, but I'm really happy because I'm only seven points behind the winner. But the relief is really big that it worked out that way, especially because the day didn't start well with forgotten ski boots and spilt coffee. "(Matej Svancer, AUT)
In a final that left everything open until the end, it was once again the strong all-rounder BirkRuud who triumphed in the end. With an almost flawless first run, the Norwegian, who is currently dominating the freestyle sport, deservedly took his second title on the Stubai Glacier, despite a fall in the second run. The 22-year-old collected important points with a perfect performance and left the competition behind.
"I love Stubai and I like this event a lot. So a big thank you to the Stubaital for hosting the World Cup. I didn't really expect to win today. I focused on my run and tried to do my best and there are so many good riders out there. I am happy to have done it again! I almost can't believe it yet!The Norwegian double, yes! I am very proud of Johanne, very proud of the whole team. I think we did a phenomenal job and I feel honoured to be part of this wonderful team!"(Birk Ruud, NOR)
Just behind was the 2020 winner, Switzerland's Andri Ragettli. USA's Colby Stevenson, who finished third on the Stubai Glacier in 2017, seems comfortable on the bottom step of the podium and deservedly took his second podium finish on the Stubai Glacier with a fine first run, and the highest score. In addition, the USAmerican can look forward to a wildcard for the legendary in-city contest Red Bull PlayStreets on 10 February 2023 in Bad Gastein.
WomenJohanne Killi (NOR) - 81.24 pointsKelly Sildaru (EST) - 78.22Grace Henderson (USA) - 76.58Megan Oldham (CAN) - 75.42Sandra Eie (NOR) - 74.51Sarah Hoefflin (SUI) - 73.22Muriel Mohr (GER) - 62.01Brynn Johnston (CAN) - 56.44 MenBirk Ruud (NOR) - 88.96 pointsAndri Ragettli (SUI) - 87.38Colby Stevenson (USA) - 85.68Alexander Hall (USA) - 83.71Jesper Tjader (SWE) - 83.47Matej Svancer (AUT) - 81.22Max Moffatt (CAN) - 79.41Ralph Konnor (USA) - 79.05