Stevenson Wins X Games Knuckle Huck Gold

U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Colby Stevenson won gold in the inaugural ski knuckle event on the first night of X Games Aspen 2020 in a winner-take-all competition. 

Colby landed a 540 nose butter into a 720 out to kick off the event and set the tone for the evening. Colby held the top spot for the entirety of the competition. The X Games rookie was at a loss for words as he received his first X Games medal. 

“This feels unreal,” said Colby. “I have been dreaming of this since I was a kid... obviously. To be out here with all my best buds sending it off a knuckle is crazy. How is this even an X Games event? It’s this sickest competition. My favorite part was the vibe at the top, everyone was so relaxed and stoked. What a great event to start my X Games career,  doing knuckle tricks is one of my favorite things to do!”

U.S. Freeski Team Alumnus Tom Wallisch was not only competing, but also offering live commentary throughout the evening. Tom provided some context on what makes knuckle huck so unique. 

“What I think is really cool about X Games Knuckle Huck is the combination of big air and slopestyle skiers, like Henrik Harlaut, mixing with urban skiers like Magnus (Graner) and Par (Hagglund),” said Tom. “We want athletes that are playful, creative, and really experimental on their skis instead of the next guy just doing the biggest spin or flip. This event is about creativity, hand drags, butters, and being unique. It’s not the scariest and most unapproachable tricks and every park has knuckle, so any kid can go out and try these tricks or a version of them. That’s what makes this so fun and cool to watch.” 

U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Torin Yater-Wallace was also competing in his first competition back from a shattering both his heels at Dew Tour in December of 2018. Torin put on a great show full of classic Yater-Wallace style only minutes after getting off of a plane from Japan. He set himself apart from the field using his edges and carving into his knuckle tricks. 

X Games competition continues through Sunday, Jan. 26. See the full broadcast schedule below. 

HOW TO WATCH
Subject to change
All times EST
@XGames - Streaming via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

FREESKI
Friday, Jan. 24
2:00 p.m. - Men’s Ski Slopestyle Elimination - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
7:00 p.m. - Women’s Ski Big Air Finals- Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
7:00 p.m. - Men’s Ski SuperPipe Elimination - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:35 p.m. - Men’s Ski Big Air Finals- Aspen, Colo. - ESPN
10:35 p.m. - Women’s Ski Big Air Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Saturday, Jan. 25
1:00 p.m. - Men’s Ski Slopestyle Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:30 p.m. - Women’s Ski SuperPipe Finals - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:00 p.m. - Women’s Ski SuperPipe Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Sunday, Jan. 26
2:00 p.m. - Women’s Ski Slopestyle Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN2
8:30 p.m. - Men’s Ski Superpipe Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

SNOWBOARD
Friday, Jan. 24
2:00 p.m. - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Elimination - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:35 p.m. - Snowboard SuperPipe Session - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Saturday, Jan. 25
1:00 p.m. - Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
1:00 p.m. - Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
10:00 p.m. - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN
10:00 p.m. - Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe Finals - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Sunday, Jan. 26
2:00 p.m. - Snowboard Rail Jam - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN2
8:30 p.m. - Snowboard Knuckle Huck - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN