Fagan Leads Three American Podiums at Junior Worlds

Kiernan Fagan (Brownfield, Maine) led three Americans onto the podium with a slopestyle silver medal at the 2019 FIS Junior World Snowboard and Freeski Championships in Klappen, Sweden, Tuesday.

U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Rell Harwood (Park City, Utah) earned herself a spot on the podium with some impressive company, taking home the bronze medal. On the snowboard side, U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team athlete Ty Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, N.J.) led the way for the Americans with a bronze medal ride against a stacked slopestyle field.

“My day went pretty well,” said Fagan. “I was stoked to put a run down and find my way to the podium. After reaching the podium at my first two World Cups, I’m hyped to finish off my season with another top-three finish here at Junior Worlds.”

Fagan has put together quite a season and finished it with a bang in Klappen. Right out of the start gate Fagan stomped a lip 450 disaster to continuing blind 450, the stand out trick on that feature for the day.

Edouard Therriault of Canada won the gold, and Ulrik Samnoey of Norway took the bronze. Deven Fagan (Brownfield, Maine), Hunter Henderson (Madbury, N.H.) and Troy Podmilsak (Park City, Utah) finished in fifth, sixth and ninth respectively.

“I am honored to end up with a medal at junior world championships,” said Harwood. “There were a lot of great runs from other competitors today and I am thrilled mine was able to land me on the podium.”

Estonian phenom and reigning World Halfpipe Champion Kelly Sildaru won the gold, and Kirsty Muir of Great Britain took the silver.

Schnorrbusch was very pleased that she was able to finish on the podium and has enjoyed her time at the Junior World Championships.

“Today was super fun,” said Schnorrbusch. “I was able to land my first run and decided to step it up on my second, but sadly fell on the first jump. I had an amazing day and it’s been great to hang out with the whole U.S. Team. Thank you to the organizers here in Klappen, Sweden for putting on such a sweet event. It has been a great trip.”

Schnorrbusch’s’ result seemed to be a fitting end to a whirlwind of a season. U.S. Snowboard Team’s own Slopestyle and Big Air National Development Coach Nichole Mason reflected on the day and the performance of the U.S. Junior World Championships Snowboard Team.

“I am so happy for Ty,” said Mason. “She had a roller coaster of a season and to see the smile on her face when she took third was priceless. I am extremely proud of the squad for putting runs down against a heavy international field. It’s been a great learning experience with ups and downs all around. We are all looking forward to Big Air in the next few days.”

Sommer Gendron of Canada earned the gold and Eveliina Taka of Finland took home the silver. In addition, American Addison Gardner (Riegelsville, Penn.) made the finals and finished in a respectable 11th.

For the men, Canada’s Buffey William took home the gold, Samuel Jaros of Slovakia won the silver, and Rijuto Ohashi of Japan rounded out the podium with a bronze-medal finish. U.S. Rookie Team athlete Jake Canter made finals and finished eighth.

At the end of Junior World Championship competition, the Marc Hodler Trophy will be awarded to the best overall nation throughout the series in both freestyle/freeski and snowboard disciplines. The U.S. is currently in a commanding lead in the freestyle standings with only one event to go in big air. Meanwhile, the U.S. snowboarders have their work cut out for them as they currently sit in sixth.

The Junior World Championships will continue with freeski and snowboard big air competition this April 12-13. Stay tuned to see what young athletes from across the world will come out on top in Klappen, Sweden, and claim the title of Junior World Champion.

RESULTS
FREESKI
Men’s slopestyle
Women’s slopestyle

SNOWBOARD
Men’s slopestyle
Women’s slopestyle

MARC HODLER TROPHY STANDINGS
Freestyle
Leysin, Switzerland: HP - Jan. 26 - Complete
Reiteralm, Austria: SX - Complete
Valmalenco, Italy: MO, AE - Complete
Klappen, Sweden: SS, BA - April 7-13

Snowboard
Leysin, Switzerland: HP - Jan. 26 - Complete
Reiteralm, Austria: SBX - Complete
Rogla, Slovenia: PGS, PSL - Complete
Klappen, Sweden: SS, BA - April 8-13