Ferreira Wins Toyota U.S. Grand Prix
2018 Olympic Silver Medalist Alex Ferreira claimed his first win of the season at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, the second of six U.S. Olympic ski halfpipe qualifying events Friday at Copper Mountain, Colorado.
U.S. Freeski Team athlete Birk Irving landed just off the podium in fourth place, with David Wise in seventh, Lyman Currier in eighth and Aaron Blunck 10th after a frustrating finals for the top qualifier.
“It was a little bit snowy and windy, so I backed off a bit,” says Ferreira, “but I just kept my head up and never gave up. I just did my best.”
Ferreira put down his top score on his first of three final runs, where the best run counted. He dropped in switch left 1080 tail grab, into a right double 1260 mute grab, left double 1440 safety grab, switch right 1080 tail grab, finishing with a left double 1260 safety.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable, I’m still in shock,” said Ferreira as he stepped off the podium. “I’ve never done well at Copper, and to not only do well but to win is something in and of itself. I’m just so grateful.”
Ferreira most recently won gold at the 2020 Aspen X Games and finished in fourth at the Aspen 2021 FIS Freeski halfpipe World Championships.
The men’s podium was rounded out by New Zealand’s Nico Porteous in second and Canada’s Brendan McKay in third.
In the women’s field, 2018 Olympic Bronze Medalist Brita Sigourney was the top American finisher in fourth place, followed by Hanna Faulhaber in fifth.
“It’s been snowing and a windy—not exactly the conditions we want to compete in,” said Sigourney. “The pipe was still good and a lot of thanks to our wax techs for keeping our skis running fast because that was a major player today.”
This finish follows a third-place podium finish at the Aspen U.S. Grand Prix—the first Olympic qualifying event.
Sigourney said, “I’m happy with where I’m sitting right now going into the Olympics. We obviously have a lot more events coming up but I’m happy to start the season off like this.”
Eileen Gu, competing for Team China took first place today, followed by Canada’s Rachael Karker, and Estonia’s Kelly Sildaru in third.
RESULTS
Men’s halfpipe
Women’s halfpipe
HOW TO WATCH
All times EDT
Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
9:30 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe - same-day broadcast, Copper Mountain, CO, Broadcast NBCSN
