Rip Curl Freeski Event
Saas Fee, Switzerland - On the final day of the Rip Curl Freeski Event this
week, Steel Spence
found himself on top of the Big Air podium and third in the overall results--behind
Jon Olson and Candide Thovex, who took first.
The Big Air was the last out of three different disciplines at the Rip Curl Freeski Event, which finished yesterday afternoon at the Swiss resort of Saas Fee snowpark. As in previous days, the fairy tale-like resort in the Valais region was gifted with perfect bluebird skies and low temperatures, allowing the snow to remain in prime condition. The jump was in the shadow during the warm up and the first leg of the qualifiers, and competitors increased the technical difficulty and size of their tricks as the morning went by and the sun hit the jump.
After two qualifying rounds, where judges evaluated skiers for amplitude, spins, difficulty of tricks, and general impression, Candide Thovex was first with a big switch cork reverse tailgrab, followed by Head skier Jon Olson with a switch butter cork 9 safety. Swiss skier Misra Noto was third before the final.
Candide remained first after the first jump of the final, only one point ahead of Aspen Freeski Team skier Steel Spence. Rossignol skier Henrik Winstedt followed closely after pulling off a solid Switch Rodeo 7, Swedish style.