Forehand Wins Visa Big Air Presented by Toyota

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle team athlete Mac Forehand took home first place in the Visa Big Air Presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain, his first big air World Cup podium in his career. 

It was a beautiful day in Colorado, with the sun shining and large crowds amassing at the big air jump in Copper's Center Village. On his highest scoring runs, Forehand executed a left triple 18 mute and switch left triple 18 mute, securing the first place finish among a stacked list of competitors. The win also scored him the national champion title for the 2023-24 season.

"It feels incredible!" said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slope team athlete Mac Forehand. "I learned that forward triple 18 mute only last spring and I haven't done it too much. So every time I do it, it's pretty terrifying... It feels insane. First big air World Cup podium for me!"

Teammate Alex Hall also competed in finals, finishing in seventh with right side double 10 safety pullback to 9 and switch left tail butter 14 lead Japan. Troy Podmilsak made finals but unfortunately was a DNS due to illness. 

Miro Tabanelli of Italy secured the second spot and Birk Ruud of Norway was in third. 

On the women's side, Rell Harwood took sixth place in finals - her best finish in a big air World Cup. Rell showed up big, throwing a left double 12 mute and switch right bio 10 safety. She also was dubbed the national champion in big air for the 2023-24 season. 

"My day was amazing!" said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slope team athlete Rell Harwood. "Perfect weather, perfect jump and I was skiing with my best friends. It was hard not to ski well and just have a good time." 

Tess Ledeux of France was first, Mathilde Germaud second and Kristy Muir of Great Britain took the third spot. Germaud won the Visa Best Trick award.

"I'm so proud of Mac," said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team pro slope team head coach Dave Euler. "He's been skiing like a man on a mission all week and he knew what he wanted to do coming into today. So stoked that he came out, landed the tricks that he wanted to do and even better that it gave him the victory." 

Up next, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle/big air team takes a Christmas break before traveling to Laax, Switzerland for a slope World Cup event Jan. 17-21. 

RESULTS
Women's Big Air
Men's Big Air