Words by Alli Sports
Photos by Matt Sklar & Alli Sports
The Dew Tour iON Mountain Championships offered a new discipline to the fans of flight with the addition of the Big Air competition gracing the bottom of the slopestyle course at Breckenridge.
As this was the first time the Dew Tour has hosted a true Big Air event, the excitement was felt from the fans to the athletes and everywhere in between on the mountain – the nighttime aspect only added to the thrills!
Photo courtesy of Alli Sports
The format consisted of twelve skiers broken into two heats of six riding in an organized jam format for eight minute periods or until five runs were completed. The top two riders from each heat automatically advanced into the final round. In addition to those four skiers, the next highest score from both heats also advanced making for a five-man final – during the final round each skier took three paced attempts for their chance at the win.
Henrik Harlaut. Sequence by Matt Sklar
Vincent Gagnier. Photo by Matt Sklar
This format of invited athletes going directly to compete in finals, every skier rode adamantly not leaving anything left on the slope.
Tom Wallisch. Photo by Matt Sklar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pPZfEMFlqg
Jossi Wells. Photo courtesy of Alli Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0qu5AfDTg
In the first heat we saw both Gus Kenworthy and Jossi Wells advance with Russ Henshaw left on the bubble with the third highest score. Then, in the second heat Henrik Harlaut and Kai Mahler advanced automatically while Tom Wallisch slipped in with a score great enough to drop Henshaw out of the final.
Henrik Harlaut. Photo courtesy of Alli Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUGZa0UFsSY
Gus Kenworthy. Photo courtesy of Alli Sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r8EGAttKxM
Soaring over the 67-foot gap, it was Kai Mahler stomping the best trick of the night, a switch left double misty 1440 double Japan grab, earning him the highest score allowing him to ski out with the win at the inaugural Big Air competition at Dew Tour.
Kai Mahler. Photo by Matt Sklar
“The jump was so cool, it is big enough to throw anything. I’m stoked I got first! That switch left double cork misty 1440 double Japan grab was the first time I have ever tried that and landed it – I’m so happy I got it on my feet!”
Gus Kenworthy (2nd), Kai Mahler (1st), Henrik Harlaut (3rd). Photo courtesy of Alli Sports
Results
1) Kai Mahler - 97.00
2) Gus Kenworthy - 95.75
3) Henrik Harlaut - 94.75
4) Josiah Wells - 87.75
5) Tom Wallisch - 87.50
To see how this event affects the AFP World Tour Rankings, go to afpworldtour.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUlVaTPvZ8
Stay tuned for more coverage on the Winter Dew Tour, which continues today with Women's and Men's Ski Superpipe Finals. For a look at the full schedule of events, click here, and for the TV schedule, click here.
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