U.S. Freeski Rookie Team Member and seventeen-year-old Cody LaPlante earned his first-ever World Cup podium with a third-place finish at the FIS World Cup slopestyle in Font Romeu, France. 

“I’m stoked,” said Cody riding high off the day’s performance. “ I showed up today really just wanting to land a clean run and trying to step it up on the rails. I’m just happy to come back strong in slopestyle after not skiing for so long.”

Prior to qualifications in Font Romeu, Cody mentioned that his first two competitions back from injury, Beijing and Atlanta World Cup big airs, may not translate into success in slopestyle competition. However, Cody seemed to have no problems lacing his first run for a score of 83.45 that would hold for third place. The Lake Tahoe local is looking strong moving into the heart of the World Cup slopestyle season and proved he can hang with the best in the world. 

The international field for the men was stellar making Cody’s performance that much more impressive. Cody finished ahead of the three-time FIS Crystal Globe Winner Andri Ragettli of Switzerland, the reigning 2019 FIS Big Air World Champion Fabian Boesch of Switzerland, 2019 FIS World Championship slopestyle silver medalist Birk Ruud of Norway, and six-time X Games gold medalist Henrik Harlaut of Sweden. Not only did Cody hold is own against an incredibly strong field, but he found the podium in his first World Cup final ever. 

Mark Hendrickson of Canada topped the podium and Jesper Tjader of Sweden finished in second. U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Deven Fagan finished in sixth place. 

For the women, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member Marin Hamill was the top finisher for the U.S. landing just outside the podium in fourth place. Marin came out firing landing her first run top to bottom. Teammate Rell Harwood finished in seventh. The competition served as both Rell and Marin’s second World Cup final ever. 

Tess Ledeux of France finished first, and Swiss skiers Giulia Tanno and Sarah Hoefflin finished in second and third respectively. 

FIS World Cup freeski slopestyle competition will continue Jan. 17-18 in Seiseralm, Italy. 

RESULTS
Men’s freeski slopestyle finals
Women’s freeski slopestyle finals