If an avalanche breaks off above the slopestyle course during practice, most would call it quits, but for the U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle men competing in Tignes, France, nothing would stop them. On March 15, Tignes experienced a large avalanche boom down from the peaks, just above the slopestyle course, where the men were training for their upcoming competition. Videos were captured of the competitors running away from the looming mist and snow. Fortunately, no one was injured and the slopestyle course stayed intact. This would only fuel the fire for the men to show that nothing would get in their way.

Just three days later, Hunter Henderson, Troy Podmilsak, Konnor Ralph and Cody LaPlante were set to drop into finals on a balmy day. The weather could not have been more perfect and the slopestyle course was in mint condition, with three jumps and three variations of rails. 

Each competitor had two opportunities to put down their best run for the judges. LaPlante laced his first run of the day and scored an 85.00 flat to end up in eighth place as the top American finisher. Rookie team member Ralph followed LaPlante in ninth place with a score of 83.25. Podmilsak completed his first run to score a 78.75 which put him in 12th place for the day. Unfortunately, Henderson had trouble during his two finals runs and was not able to land either, placing him in 16th. 

As it may have not been the results the men were looking for, they were able to acquire another competition day under their belt. The U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle team will look to finish off their season strong in Silvaplana, Switzerland, March 23-25th. 

Results 
Men's slopestyle

Replay 
Tignes Slopestyle World Cup

Olympic bronze medalist and three time Olympian Brita Sigourney announced March 7, that she will officially retire from professional halfpipe skiing. Born in Monterey, Calif., Sigourney is one of the sport's legends, inspiring generations of halfpipe athletes, not only through her skiing but her welcoming and compassionate spirit. A true competitor in and out of the pipe, she is an all-around incredible person. 

Sigourney started skiing when she was only two years old, and began ski racing at age eight before she found freeskiing. On her skis, she was unstoppable. Her confidence, work ethic and ability to learn has led her to find success at the highest levels of the sport. 

From her 13 years on the team, she has dealt with many injuries, including nine surgeries - but she came back from every single one stronger. Throughout her professional career, she won countless contests, made history with her tricks, and pushed the sport of women's halfpipe freeskiing to new heights. 

Her shining star was clinching the bronze medal in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games in the slopestyle, but throughout her career, she won four World Cups at Toyota U.S. Grand Prixs ranging from 2011-2018, has 13 World Cup podiums and has five X Games medals. She also attended three Olympics and five World Championships, and has a World Champs bronze medal from 2019.

In addition to her accolades, she also innovated the sport, becoming the first woman to land a 1080 in a complete halfpipe run.

Sigourney wrapped up her career at the World Championships in Georgia. She is one of the best to ever do it, and even though her competitive career is coming to a close, we cannot wait to see what she does next.

Brita by the numbers 

• Olympic bronze medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games
• Three Winter Olympic Games (Sochi, 2014; PyeongChang, 2018; Beijing, 2022)
• Five World Championships teams (2011, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
• World Championships bronze medal in 2019
• Four World Cup wins (Copper Mountain, 2011; Mammoth Mountain 2012; Copper Mountain, 2013; Mammoth Mountain 2018)
• 13 World Cup podiums
• Five-time X Games participant, the most of any woman skier in history
• Five X Games medals: three silver medals and two bronze 
• First woman ever to land a 1080 in a complete halfpipe run in the 2012 X Games 
• FIS Junior World Ski Champion in 2010

Alex Ferreira laced together the run he’s been hoping to put down all season to claim bronze at the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships!

For Ferreira, the end of the competition season has been a whirlwind. Last weekend, Ferreira competed in Dew Tour where he walked away with an impressive fourth place finish. The next day, Ferreira hopped on a plane to Georgia. He arrived in Tbilisi in the wee hours of the morning, drove four hours to Bakuriani, and went straight to the venue for the first day of halfpipe practice. 

When qualifications rolled around, Ferreira was ready—as was the rest of the men’s freeski halfpipe team. Ferreira wasted no time and put down a solid first run with a score that ultimately qualified him for finals. His teammates David Wise, Dylan Ladd and Tristan Feinberg all also qualified for finals, resulting in the U.S. claiming four of the ten finalist spots.

When finals day rolled around, Ferreira had his eye on landing the run he’d been working towards all season, which included both ways 1620s. While Ferreira put down a clean run on both his first and second run, it was his third and final run that clinched the bronze medal. Ferreira threw a switch left 900 Japan grab, switch right double cork 1080 Japan grab, left double cork 1260 safety grab, and stomped both the right double cork 1620 safety grab, and the left double cork 1620 safety grab. When asked how it felt to finally nail both 16s in competition, Ferreira said, “Both 16s in one run has been a long time coming for me, so I’m just happy to actually do it and to do it in great conditions, a great pipe, and skiing alongside some of my best friends.”

But even after Ferreira nailed his third run, he wasn’t in the clear. The men’s halfpipe final was a heavy one with everyone throwing their best tricks in an effort to be named the new World Champion. Ferreira anxiously watched the four remaining skiers complete their final runs to see if his score would hold. When the last skier dropped, Ferreira was able to breathe again and soak in what he had just accomplished.

While Ferreira has a long list of halfpipe accolades, including two Olympic medals, 10 World Cup podiums, and six X Games podiums, a World Championships medal has eluded him—until now. “I’ve never done well at World Champs,” Ferreira explains. “To do well at the last contest of the season—I’m so grateful. It was not an easy one! Everyone threw some really great runs and I’m just happy to be up there on the podium.”

Alongside Ferreira on the podium was Brendan MacKay of Canada in first and Jon Sallinen of Finland in second. The rest of the U.S. athletes were unfortunately unable to put down their best runs. Dylan Ladd finished in sixth, Tristan Feinberg in eighth, and David Wise in ninth.

The 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships marks the end of the competition season for the U.S. Freeski Halfpipe team. The athletes will now head back to the States and gear up for their spring training camps.
 

RESULTS

Men