Forehand Claims Crystal Globe, Stevenson Second at Silvaplana

The U.S. Freeski Team concluded the 2018/19 FIS Freeski World Cup season in SIlvaplana, Switzerland on a very creative slopestyle course Saturday at Snowpark Corvatsch as Colby Stevenson (Park City, Utah) earned a spot on the podium finishing second and Mac Forehand (Winhall, Vt.) took home the Crystal Globe.

U.S. Rookie Team member and 2019 FIS World Cup Slopestyle Champion Forehand finished 12th and put the cherry on top of what was a breakthrough season for the young freeskier.

“It feels crazy,” said Forehand. “I didn’t think I would have a chance to podium this year, nevermind take home the Crystal Globe at the end of the season. I want to thank all the guys back home at SMS (Stratton Mountain School) and U.S. Ski & Snowboard for supporting me all year long. The Silvaplana World Cup may be the best slopestyle competition that’s ever gone down in my opinion. The course was amazing, the weather was amazing, and I’m hyped with how everything worked out.

Forehand kicked off the season by earning the 2018 Junior World Championship title in big air at Cardrona, New Zealand in August and carried that momentum into the season. Forehand continued his impressive performance into November where he earned his first-ever World Cup podium with a second-place finish in Stubai, Austria. Furthermore, only a few weeks ago, he earned his first-ever World Cup victory at the Mammoth Mountain, California, World Cup.

"I’m so excited, I can’t believe it,” Stevenson said of his second-place finish. “I kept telling myself that this just wasn’t my year as I just haven’t been able to land a run in finals at any other competitions. Maybe because of the weather, maybe because my head game wasn’t there, but this week we have had perfect weather and everyone is skiing at their highest ability. I think just being part of the energy here in Silvaplana contributed to my success. Coming into the competition I just wanted to land my run for me, I didn’t care if I podiumed or won. It was one of the craziest runs I have ever thought of or attempted to do, so to put it together is a blessing. The fact my dad and stepmom are here makes this experience extra special.”

Swiss freeskier Andri Ragettli topped the podium in Silvaplana, followed by Stevenson in second, and Fabian Boesch of Switzerland closing out the podium in third. For the women, Megan Oldham of Canada won the event, Tess Ledeux of France finished second, and Silvia Bertagna of Italy finished third. U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Caroline Claire (Manchester Center, Vt.) finished in a respectable seventh.

The future of the American slopestyle freeskiing is undeniably strong. U.S. Freeski Team members Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, Utah), Stevenson, Forehand, and American Kiernan Fagan are all 21 years old or younger and all finished in the top 10 of the slopestyle World Cup standings. For the women, U.S. Freeski Team members Eileen Gu (San Francisco, Calif.) finished in third, Julia Krass (Hanover, N.H.) seventh, and Caroline Claire (Manchester Center, Vt. finished in eighth completing a great season for U.S. freeskiers.

RESULTS
Men’s freeski slopestyle
Women’s freeski slopestyle

WORLD CUP STANDINGS
Men’s freeski slopestyle
Women’s freeski slopestyle