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Freeski

Forehand, Hall Go Silver, Bronze at World Champs

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
March, 21 2025
Mac Forehand and Alex Hall showing off their 2025 FIS Ski Freestyle World Championship Medals
Mac Forehand and Alex Hall showing off their 2025 FIS Ski Freestyle World Championship Medals // @isami_kiyooka

The first freeski event of the 2025 FIS Ski Freestyle World Championships wrapped up, with Mac Forehand and Alex Hall sharing the slopestyle podium. Forehand won the silver and Hall the bronze. The United States finished with four men in the top eight, a huge accomplishment in a stacked slopestyle field.

After a week of prime conditions in Corvatsch, Switzerland, the slopestyle finals were moved earlier to squeeze in before an incoming weekend storm. In qualifications on Wednesday, six of seven athletes punched their ticket to finals: Forehand, Hall, Hunter Henderson, Troy Podmilsak, Marin Hamill and Grace Henderson.

Forehand and Hall shared the podium for the second time this season, joined by Norway’s Birk Ruud in the gold medal spot. After failing to put together a clean first run, Forehand, Hall and Hunter Henderson all needed to lace their second go. Podmilsak and Hunter Henderson both sat in third after their second runs before being bumped down to finish in seventh and eighth, respectively.

Forehand had an impressive second run, with judges loving his first rail combo - a right back swap transfer, pretzel 240 out - giving it the highest score of the day. They also loved his second jump, a switch left triple 1620 mute. Hall answered well, putting together an tricky first rail combo: a switch right tails on, tails over transfer, blind 450 out. Hall was the only athlete in the field using the transition feature so progressively, getting two hits out of it instead of just one. Hall talked about his approach to World Championships, saying, “My strategy lately has just been to go for the run I really feel like doing, having fun doing it and trying the hardest rail tricks I can think of.”

It is Forehand’s first World Championship medal and Hall’s second. Forehand reflected on sharing the podium with a teammate, saying, “My teammates are like my brothers at this point. With Alex up there with me today, it’s like having a brother with me, I really enjoyed it.”

On the women’s side, Grace Henderson finished ninth and Marin Hamill 11th. Both were stoked to put down a clean run when it counted and walk away from the season healthy and in high spirits. Switzerland's own Mathilde Gremaud finished first, with Austria's Lara Wolf in second and Canada's Megan Oldham in third.

Next up, the same squad will throw down in big air qualifications. Women’s qualifications are scheduled for Wednesday, March 26 and men’s on Thursday, March 27. Finals are on the March 29. Halfpipe qualifications are scheduled for Friday, March 28, with finals on March 30.

RESULTS
Women
Men

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards Open For Nomination

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
March, 14 2025
hanna

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is a diverse organization of many sports with a vital backbone of athletes, officials, coaches and clubs nationwide all working together for the betterment of the sport. It’s important each year to recognize the work of those behind the scenes who are providing athletes of all ages with an opportunity to participate in ski and snowboard competitions.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard awards program is designed to recognize a wide range of individuals and organizations for their work over the past year. As a U.S. Ski & Snowboard member, you are eligible to nominate into many of the award categories. To learn more about the full range of U.S. Ski & Snowboard awards, go here.

 

Award Selection:

  • Nominations are accepted all at once and at large from members who have a valid and current membership for the 2024-25 Season.
  • Each sport committee will select the respective sports winners for Club and Coach of the Year.
  • Selection of other awards winners is determined by a vote of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards Working Group.
  • Winners are announced at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards Dinner on May 14, 2025.

 

Nominations: 

  • Click on the nomination link for each individual award for which you wish to nominate.
  • Complete the nomination paying special attention to highlighting accomplishments required for each award.
  • Nominees must also be current members of U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
  • Click to submit.
  • Remember, you need to submit nominations for each award separately.

 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS: Friday, March 28, 2025

 

NOMINATION CATEGORIES

Paul Bacon Award (event organization)

The Paul Bacon Award is given to an individual or group for the greatest contribution to U. S. Ski & Snowboard in the field of race organization during the 2024-25 season. Traditional nominees include local clubs or individuals whose work has made a difference in providing good events for athletes.

PAUL BACON AWARD Nomination Form

 
John J. Clair Award (service to national teams)

The John J. Clair Jr. Award is given for outstanding service that benefited the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team in 2024-25. Past recipients have included outside team support personnel, donors, journalists, movers and shakers. Most recipients have been individuals, though some organizations have been recognized. The recipient’s service should be to the national teams.

JOHN J. CLAIR JR. AWARD Nomination Form

 
Bud & Mary Little Award (service to FIS or USOPC)

The Bud & Mary Little Award is a lifetime achievement award presented to an individual who has contributed significantly through a long-term involvement with the International Ski & Snowboard Federation or U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Recipients are eligible to receive the award only once. Achievement should be lifetime; it is not specific to this past year.

BUD & MARY LITTLE AWARD Nomination Form

 
Buddy Werner Award (sportsmanship)

Have you seen any great acts of sportsmanship this past year? Nominations should be based on actions from the 2024-25 season. It is only open to individuals.

BUDDY WERNER AWARD Nomination Form

 
Russell Wilder Award (service to youth)

The Russell Wilder Award recognizes the most outstanding effort during 2024-25 in focusing the interests of American youth on the sports of skiing or snowboarding. It can be awarded to an individual or an organization.

RUSSELL WILDER AWARD Nomination Form

 
OFFICIALS NOMINATION AWARD CATEGORY
West Family Award (outstanding official)

The West Family Award is a lifetime achievement honor, recognizing an outstanding certified official at any level.  Nominations come from the pool of current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Officials membership.

WEST FAMILY AWARD Nomination Form

Nominations only open to those who hold a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Officials membership. 

 
FIS TECHNICAL DELEGATE NOMINATION AWARD CATEGORY
Westhaven Award (outstanding FIS technical delegate)

The Westhaven Award is a lifetime achievement award, recognizing an outstanding FIS technical delegate for his or her service over time. Nominations come from the pool of current FIS TDs.

WESTHAVEN AWARD Nomination Form

Nominations only open to those who hold a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Technical Delegate membership. 

 

CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD CATEGORY
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club of the Year Award

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club of the Year is the club that achieved the most outstanding high-performance athletic and organizational results in the current season and best meets the athletic and club performance benchmarks.

This award will be granted for each sport: Adaptive, Alpine, Cross Country, Freeski, Freestyle, Snowboard & Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD Nomination Form

Nominations only open to those who are current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Clubs.

 

DEVELOPMENT COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD CATEGORY
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Coach of the Year Award

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Coach of the Year Award recognizes outstanding contribution to development and international programs by a coach resulting in high-level performance by his or her athletes in competition during the past season. Coaches of the year are recognized for their leadership, commitment, sport knowledge and passion, including proven ability to foster athletic excellence amongst their constituents or teams. 

This award will be granted for each sport: Adaptive, Alpine, Cross Country, Freeski, Freestyle, Snowboard & Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined

U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD DEVELOPMENT COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD Nomination Form

Nominations only open to those who are current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Coaches.

Hall, Forehand Podium in Tignes; Hall Wins Crystal Globe; Stifel U.S. Freeski Team Wins Nations Cup

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
March, 14 2025
Alex Hall with the 2024-25 slopestyle Crystal Globe, Colby Stevenson third overall
Alex Hall with the 2024-25 slopestyle Crystal Globe, Colby Stevenson third overall // @fisparkandpipe

In Tignes, France, Stifel U.S. Freeski Team's Alex Hall took home another World Cup win in slopestyle and captured the slopestyle Crystal Globe, marking him the best slopestyle skier of the 2024-25 season. Mac Forehand also stood on the podium in second place in big air. The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team also continued their reign as best in the world, winning the Nation's Cup for park and pipe.

Tignes Big Air

On Thursday, both the men and women threw down in big air finals. On the women’s side, Rell Harwood was the sole American to qualify into finals and finished the event in fourth. She finished the evening with a 174.25 – a combined score from her switch right bio 900 and her left double 1260. Italy’s Flora Tabanelli finished in first, with France’s Tess Ledeux in second and Finland’s Anni Karava in third. Tabanelli secured her big air Crystal Globe with the win, podiuming at every big air this season.

On the men’s side, Mac Forehand, Alex Hall and Troy Podmilsak qualified into finals. All three had a very strong showing in a tight competition. Forehand finished the night in second, with the judges rewarding him for going huge on his switch left triple 1800 and left triple 1800. Podmilsak finished just off the podium in fourth, showing off his two signature tricks: right triple cork 1800 and left Berco flip. Hall took ninth, with a big score of 90.50 on run one. Forehand was joined on the podium by Italy’s Miro Tabanelli in first and New Zealand’s Luca Harrington in third. Harrington secured his big air Crystal Globe as well, podiuming at four of six World Cups this season.

Tignes Slopestyle

Friday was slopestyle finals day, with Marin Hamill and Rell Harwood qualifying through to finals. Hamill was the top U.S. finisher, ending the day in fourth with the judges enjoying her switch right 720 and right cork 720. Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir finished first, with Australia’s Abbi Harrigan in second and New Zealand’s Ruby Star Andrews in third. Harwood finished in 10th after a hard fall on run one, resulting in a DNS on run two. Harwood ended the season in fourth and Hamill in sixth for the slopestyle overall standings.

Four men in finals represented the U.S.: Alex Hall, Hunter Henderson, Cody Laplante and Colby Stevenson. Hall threw down a monster run to take the win, highlighted by two rail sections – right 270 Tokyo drift to right switch lip, back 450 and swift left Tokyo drift 270 on, back 810. He was joined on the podium by Switzerland’s Andri Ragettli in second and Norway’s Sebastian Schjerve in third. This is Hall's second win of the season and third total podium this year.

Henderson finished the day in fifth, his best result of the season. LaPlante also had his best result of the season in seventh, while Stevenson was 10th.

Hall’s win secured his first slopestyle Crystal Globe. It was his second career Globe; he won the big air Globe last season. He was joined on the overall podium by Stevenson, who finished the season third overall. Mac Forehand also had a great slopestyle season, taking fifth overall.

The season's overall success resulted in the overall Nations Cup for the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team, naming them the strongest team in the world for the third year in a row.

The season's final event is the FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships in Endagin, Switzerland from March 18-30. The World Championships team will compete in slopestyle on March 22, big air on March 29 and halfpipe on March 30. All events can be streamed on skiandsnowboard.live.

RESULTS
Women
Men

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team Announces World Championships Roster

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
March, 11 2025
Mac Forehand at the Aspen Grand Prix earlier this season
Mac Forehand at the Aspen Grand Prix earlier this season

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team Announces 2025 World Championship Team

Park City, Utah (March 11, 2025) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard is proud to announce the 17 Stifel U.S. Freeski Team athletes and four ski cross athletes representing the United States at the 2025 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships in Engadin, Switzerland, March 18-30, 2025.

This event marks the 20th FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships and is sure to impress. The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team is headlined by freeski veterans including Olympic medalists Alex Hall and Colby Stevenson in slopestyle/big air, along with Olympic medalists Alex Ferreira, Nick Goepper and David Wise in halfpipe. 

Reigning big air world champion Troy Podmilsak will look to defend his title he won in 2023. Alex Hall, Colby Stevenson, Mac Forehand and Konnor Ralph all have podiumed at FIS World Cups this season, earning them their World Championships spot. On the women’s side, Grace Henderson scored a silver at X Games big air and Rell Harwood is coming off back-to-back slopestyle World Cup podiums, making both women serious podium threats in Endagin.

The men’s halfpipe squad has been tough to beat this year, with the United States sweeping the podium at the Secret Garden World Cup, X Games and Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Aspen, highlighted by Ferreira and Goepper’s season-long battle for victory. They are joined by Hunter Hess and three time Olympic medalist David Wise, who have shared podiums with Goepper and Ferreira this season. Svea Irving will also be one to watch as she earned a third place in Secret Garden earlier this season and is currently sitting in fourth overall.

“The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team has been looking forward to the FIS Ski World Championships in Endagin all season,” said Freeski Sport Director Skogen Sprang. “With the slopestyle venue consistently being one of the best stops of the tour for the last 10 years and a new superpipe built to perfection, we couldn’t be happier to wrap up the season in such a beautiful place with world class venues. Strong podium results have qualified a great team and I look forward to seeing all the athletes progress the sport and land some amazing runs."

“The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team is having an incredible season,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. “We have a great group of athletes representing us at World Championships and I know they will push one another to the top of the podium.”

Fans can tune in to watch all the action on Infront’s skiandsnowboard.live. Events will be shown live and on demand on its website and app.

2025 FIS FREESTYLE WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
Listed in alphabetical order by last name by discipline
(Name; hometown; ski club; birthdate; past World Championship teams)

HALFPIPE

Women

  • Piper Arnold* (South Lake Tahoe, CA; Sierra-at-Tahoe Freestyle Ski Team; 6/1/2007)
  • Kate Gray* (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; 6/29/2006)
  • Svea Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; 2/27/2002; 2021, 2023)
  • Hanna Lamm* (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 9/3/2005)

Men

  • Alex Ferreira (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 8/14/1994; 2019, 2021, 2023)
  • Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN; Cork Tech Freeski; 3/14/1994; 2013, 2019)
  • Hunter Hess* (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 10/1/1998)
  • David Wise (Reno, NV; 6/30/1990; 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)

SLOPESTYLE/BIG AIR

Women

  • Kate Gray* (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; 6/29/2006)
  • Marin Hamill (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 4/5/2001; 2021)
  • Rell Harwood (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 6/1/2001; 2021)
  • Grace Henderson* (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; 4/28/2001)

Men

  • Mac Forehand (Winhall, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 8/4/2001; 2019, 2021, 2023)
  • Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 9/21/1998; 2017, 2019, 2021)
  • Troy Podmilsak (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 8/23/2004; 2023)
  • Konnor Ralph* (Helena, MT; Wy’East Mountain Academy; 1/27/2003)
  • Colby Stevenson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 10/3/1997; 2015, 2021)

SKI CROSS

Women

  • Morgan Shute*^ (Allendale, NJ; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 9/13/2006)
  • Maggie Swain*^ (Kingfield, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 7/10/2006)

Men

  • Chris Del Bosco^ (Colorado Springs, CO; Team Summit Colorado; 3/30/1982; 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
  • Jack Mitchell*^ (Wenatchee, WA; Mission Ridge Ski Education Foundation; 3/3/2003)

^Non-Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete

*Denotes first World Championships team

2025 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships Live Coverage

All times EST. Check local listings, subject to change.

Saturday, March 22

5:00 a.m. - women’s slopestyle finals - skiandsnowboard.live

6:00 a.m. - men’s and women’s ski cross finals - skiandsnowboard.live

7:30 a.m. - Men’s slopestyle finals - skiandsnowboard.live

Sunday, March 23

6:30 a.m. - men’s and women’s ski cross team finals - skiandsnowboard.live

Saturday, March 29

2:30 p.m. - men’s and women’s big air finals - skiandsnowboard.live 

Sunday, March 30

5:00 a.m. - women’s halfpipe finals - skiandsnowboard.live

7:00 a.m. - men’s halfpipe finals - skiandsnowboard.live

 

Another Podium for Harwood

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
February, 22 2025
Rell Harwood on the podium with winner Flora Tabanelli and runner up Ruyi Yang
Harwood celebrating on the podium, joined by Tabanelli and Yang // @fisparkandpipe

Rell Harwood of the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team made it back-to-back slopestyle podiums, capturing third in Stoneham, Quebec, Canada for the final North American World Cup of the season. 

The weather has been tricky all week, with high winds impacting the way athletes structured their runs. In qualifications earlier in the week, five Americans progressed to finals: Harwood, Alex Hall, Konnor Ralph, Mac Forehand and Cody LaPlante. Harwood was the sole woman to progress to finals, while Ralph and Hall were the top qualifiers in their respective heats.

Harwood put down a clean second run and scored a 74.11, bumping her into the third spot. Harwood toned down some of her usual style to cater to the challenging conditions, but still executed cleanly. Harwood was stoked to be on the podium, saying, "I had so much fun skiing today! The weather conditions were challenging, so I was just happy to put a run down that I was stoked on!". Harwood also added a new trick to her repertoire recently, a switch on front 450, that she got to use in her run today.

Harwood was joined on the podium by Italy's Flora Tabanelli in first and China's Ruyi Yang in second. This is Harwood's second consecutive slopestyle podium, having podiumed at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen - and just her second slopestyle podium ever. 

On the men's side, Ralph was one of the only athletes in the field to put down a clean first run. It unfortunately didn't keep him in the top spot, but he came back on run two to secure a fourth place finish. Forehand also had a great second run, landing him in fifth for the day. Hall finished the day in 12th, with LaPlante 14th.

The men's side was won by Austria's Matej Svancer, with New Zealand's Luca Harrington and Ben Barclay in second and third, respectively. 

The race for the Crystal Globe is still on, with one more slopestyle and big air competition to come in Tignes, France. The race is tight and three American men are vying for the Globe. Harwood currently sits in fourth overall for the women, and looks to bump up her standings by the end of the season.

RESULTS
Women
Men

Ferreira Wins Crystal Globe in Calgary, Goepper Second

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
February, 16 2025
Alex Ferreira bringing home the 2024-25 Crystal Globe, Nick Goepper finished second overall
Alex Ferreira bringing home the 2024-25 Crystal Globe, Nick Goepper finished second overall

In an epic conclusion to an exciting season of halfpipe skiing, Alex Ferreira and Nick Goepper found themselves together on the podium once again at the Snow Rodeo in Calgary.

After a week in frigid temperatures, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team halfpipe riders gave it their all for the last World Cup of the season. In Friday's qualifiers, Svea Irving was the lone American woman to get through to finals, while seven American men qualified including Hunter Hess, Dylan Ladd, Birk Irving, Alex Ferreira, Nick Goepper, Matt Labaugh and David Wise. Wise was the top qualifier in heat one and Goepper was the top qualifier in heat two.

While the action heated up on Saturday night, the temperatures dropped. The famed night final took place at -5 degrees Fahrenheit, adding another layer of difficulty. 

The women's side had their usual three run final format with eight finalists. Svea Irving put down her first run, giving her a score of 72.75 and she knew she needed to kick it up a notch for her next two runs. Unfortunately, Svea could not put down a clean run, getting caught up on her last two hits and finishing the night in fifth. China's Li Fanghui finished in the top spot, with Great Britain's Zoe Atkin in second and Canada's own Rachel Karker in third. Svea's finish secured her the fourth overall spot in women's halfpipe this season, just one away from an overall podium finish.

On the men's side, it was a 16-man, two-run final. Goepper finished as the top American man in second place with an unreal second run. Ferreira ended in third, after his first run resulted in a 91.75 - setting the tone for the contest. They were joined on the podium by New Zealand's Finley Melville-Ives in first, his first World Cup victory.

Hess finished the evening in sixth, after a good first run. He also debuted his misty 720, adding an extra 180 degrees of rotation from how he usually does it to land switch, a new twist on his beloved last hit. Wise finished the night in seventh, after a clutch last run, but unfortunately it was not enough to crack the podium. Ladd finished eighth, Birk Irving 10th and Matt Labaugh 14th. The American men put together incredible runs, with many having heartbreaking, last-hit falls that ultimately resulted in a disappointing night for many.

Alex Ferreira also won the Crystal Globe for the second year in a row and the third time in his career. Nick Goepper joined him on the overall podium, finishing the season in second overall. The two had a heated battle for the top spot that brought a lot of excitement to the season. They were joined by Canada's Brendan Mackay for third place overall.

Next up for the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team, slopestyle heads to Stoneham, Quebec next weekend for their last North American competition this season. Halfpipe is taking some time off, and then gears up for the World Championships in Endagin, Switzerland in March.

RESULTS
Women
Men

Ralph Captures First Big Air Podium in Aspen

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
February, 6 2025
Ella Andrews and Konnor Ralph on the podium as National Champions
Ella Andrews and Konnor Ralph on the podium as National Champions

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. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

Third USA Halfpipe Podium Sweep 2024-25 Season

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
February, 3 2025
Nick Goepper, Alex Ferreira, and Matt Labaugh on the podium at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix
Nick Goepper, Alex Ferreira, and Matt Labaugh on the podium at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Aspen Buttermilk

The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team secured their third men's halfpipe podium sweep of the season at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen. The men's team went one through four: Alex Ferreira, Nick Goepper, Matt Labaugh, and Hunter Hess. Svea Irving led the charge for the women, as the top finisher in fourth. 

In maybe the most exciting halfpipe final ever, Alex Ferreira secured the win with a near-perfect third run, putting it down when it mattered. Ferreira threw both ways double 1620s, clinching the top spot. This was a huge win for Ferreira in his hometown of Aspen, Colorado after finishing second in X Games just last week behind Nick Goepper. Goepper finished second after a beautiful first run that set the tone for the rest of the competition. He was coming in hot after winning X Games in the same Aspen Buttermilk pipe last week.

Matt Labaugh earned his first World Cup podium with a third place on an awesome run that he capped off by leaping into his friends at the bottom of the pipe. Labaugh's previous best finish was fifth at Mammoth last year, but since finals were cancelled it didn't feel quite real enough. Labaugh was so excited for his first podium, and to podium at such a stacked finals, saying "I didn't have any expectations, it was the run I've been dreaming about putting down for months. I landed the run, and just couldn't believe that went into the podium. The run felt so right, I couldn't believe it when I landed, I was kind of in awe at the bottom. It feels like it's been coming for a long time. The best part was jumping into my friends, everyone being down there cheering me on was awesome". 

The American men did not stop there though, Hunter Hess came in fourth after a great third run earning him a 92.50 and Birk Irving in seventh with a 91.00. Finals was tough, with the top seven finishers all in the 90s. Tristan Feinberg finished in 10th.

Svea Irving finished fourth, after a great first run. She cranked up the intensity, trying some harder tricks for her second and third run but not getting it quite smooth enough for a podium spot. Kate Gray finished seventh, after a clean first run. Great Britain's Zoe Atkin came away with the top spot, with China's Fanghui Li in second and Canada's Amy Fraser in third.

The Ferreira-Goepper dynamic is heating up, with Alex winning two events this year, Copper and Apsen, and Nick winning two events this year, X Games and Secret Garden. It will all come down to the Snow Calgary showdown in Calgary from February 

RESULTS
Women
Men

Hall, Harwood and Stevenson on the Podium

By Erin Doyle - Stifel U.S. Freeski Team
February, 3 2025
Alex Hall, Colby Stevenson and Birk Ruud on the men's slopestyle podium
Alex Hall, Colby Stevenson and Birk Ruud on the men's slopestyle podium

Finals at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Aspen kicked off with men's and women's slopestyle early Saturday morning. After a cold and sunny week of training, conditions changed for finals offering warm temperatures and flat light.

Junior Worlds silver medalist, Ella Andrews, dropped first for the American women. This was only Andrew's second World Cup final, but she handled it with ease. Andrews put down a clean first run that earned her sixth for the day. This was Andrew's second highest finish at a World Cup, after a second place finish in Mammoth last season.

X Games gold medalist Rell Harwood was the other American woman in the final. After qualifying second, Rell dropped towards the end of the pack. Harwood put down a clean first run, but it wasn't enough for the podium. On her second go, she cleaned up her rails and her last hit: a left double 1260 safety. The judges rewarded her with third place, earning Harwood her first World Cup podium. Harwood was extremely happy with the outcome and with her skiing, standing on the podium alongside of France's Tess Ledeux in first and Canada's Megan Oldham in second.

On the men's side, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team was out in full force with five of 16 competitors: Alex Hall, Colby Stevenson, Mac Forehand, Konnor Ralph, and Cody LaPlante. Alex Hall came out swinging, putting down a beautiful first run that earned him first place, and his first World Cup win of the season. Hall was stoked on the victory, saying, "I was so hyped to put one down today! The Aspen Buttermilk course was really fun and everyone in the field killed it today. I was really happy with my run and was able put it down about as smooth as I could." Colby Stevenson finished second, with a great final run to bump Norway's Birk Ruud to third. LaPlante struggled to put down a clean run, finishing the day in 15th, but was proud of his effort to put together a challenging and stylish run. Forehand and Ralph finished the day in ninth and sixth, respectively, putting down good runs, but not enough to crack the podium. 

The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team is wrapping up their Aspen stint, with the Visa Big Air finals going down on Thursday, February 6. After that, they are taking some much needed time off before heading off to the last North American World Cup of the season in Quebec, Canada.

RESULTS
Women
Men