Podmilsak Wins in Secret Garden
Troy Podmilsak of the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team brought home his first World Cup victory on Nov. 28 in Secret Garden, China, the venue that played host to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Although Podmilsak was the 2023 big air world champion, he still lacked a World Cup victory in his trophy cabinet — that has now changed.
Podmilsak impressed the judges in a challenging field, finishing the day with a 185.50 across his two scored runs. Troy showed off his right triple 2160 with a mute grab, the trick he premiered at the 2023 World Champs. Alongside the 21, Podmilsak threw a switch right triple 1980 with a safety grab. He was joined on the podium by Canada's Dylan Deschamps in second and New Zealand's Luca Harrington in third.
Mac Forehand, the only other American man to progress through to the finals, finished right off the podium in fourth. Forehand impressed the judges with his switch left triple 1980 with a mute grab, but couldn't clean up his second trick enough for a podium finish.
Konnor Ralph just missed the finals, finishing 11th overall. Hunter Henderson finished 21st, Cody Laplante 27th and Keagan Supple 54th.
On the women's side, Marin Hamill finished 13th and Grace Henderson 23rd. Neither American woman qualified for finals. Great Britain's Kirsty Muir brought home the win, joined by Canada's Naomi Urness in second and China's Mengting Liu in third.
The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team will continue their residency in China with the Beijing Big Air next week and Secret Garden Halfpipe in two weeks.