Ralph Captures First Big Air Podium in Aspen
The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team wrapped up their stint at Aspen this morning, Feb. 6, with the Visa Big Air at Aspen Snowmass, with Konner Ralph walking away with a big air podium. After qualifications on Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Americans put four athletes into the finals: Ella Andrews, Mac Forehand, Rell Harwood and Ralph.
Harwood has been going strong in Aspen, with an X Games gold medal and Toyota U.S. Grand Prix slopestyle podium just days apart. Unfortunately, today wasn't her day; she finished in eighth place overall. Rookie team member Ella Andrews got some clean runs in, but not clean enough to crack the podium, finishing in sixth. The women's podium consisted of Canada's Megan Oldham in first, Italy's Flora Tabanelli in second and Finland's Anni Karava in third.
On the men's side, Mac Forehand and Ralph fell on run one, putting the pressure on runs two and three. Ralph and Forehand turned it on for run two, putting down epic tricks for scores of 93.75 and 92.75, respectively. Forehand didn't get a clean landing on run three and finished the day in eighth. Ralph pulled out a left triple 1800 mute for run three, bumping him to third place.
This was Ralph's first big air finals and first big air podium. This was only his second-ever career World Cup podium, making the day extra special. Ralph was pumped up, saying, "I'm super excited - this is one of the most insane feelings I've ever had. I'm just so stoked to walk away with third place today. It was awesome!".
Ralph was joined on the podium by Austria's Matej Svancer in first and New Zealand's Luca Harrington in second.
With today's results, Andrews and Ralph were crowned the U.S. Big Air National Champions, adding another title to their resume.
