Freeskiing

Christensen and Williams Go 1-2 at Grand Prix

by
USSA
2016-01-24 19:20
 

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA (Jan. 24, 2016) – Olympic champion Joss Christensen (Park City, UT) topped the competitive slopestyle field at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain on Sunday with teammate McRae Williams (Park City, UT) taking second. Caroline Claire (Wilmington, VT) was the top finisher for the women in 10th.

Norway’s Oystein Braaten was third in the men’s slopestyle. In the women’s event, Canada’s Yuki Tsubota took the victory, Giulia Tanno of Switzerland was second, and Sweden’s Emma Dahlstrom was third.

Despite qualifying 11th, Christensen was able to pull off the win for the U.S. team.

“I qualified pretty low so I watched 12 people after me take runs,” he said. “Everyone put down such amazing runs. Sometimes you don’t know where the judges are going judge you, so I’m excited where I ended up. Everyone else killed it today.”


McRae Williams sent it at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix to take second. (USSA-Melanie Harding)

Williams’ second place run was highly technical, with more switch tricks than regular. Williams and Christensen both hail from Park City, UT and it was Williams’ second Grand Prix podium finish; he also took second at the Park City stop in 2015.

Other top American finishers were Willie Borm (Chaska, MN) in sixth; Noah Wallace (Spokane, WA) in 11th, Tim Ryan (Waterville Valley, NH) in 13th, Bobby Brown (Breckenridge, CO) in 16th.

Joss Christensen took home the win at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Joss Christensen won the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix. His first run scored 89.00: Switch right lipslide 270 on 270 off, left lipslide 450 on 450 off, switch left 270 pretzel 450, left double 1260, switch right double 1080, switch left double 1080.
  • Mcrae Williams finished second. His first run scored 88.40: Switch right tail 270 to 270 off, nosebutter 450 on to switch, switch left rodeo 450 off stairset, rodeo 9 tail, switch right double 1080 double Japan, switch left triple 1440 safety.

 

QUOTES

Joss Christenson
We haven’t really had much practice all week. We’ve been plagued with really bad weather but this morning the sun was out and there were no clouds. I’m really excited how things ended up. In finals I wanted to do some crazier stuff, maybe some bigger tricks, but I just wanted to put one run down and I’m just glad I tried to take a safe run. I’m just glad it worked out. I’m just laughing right now—I can’t believe it.

 

McRae Williams was second on Sunday.

McRae Williams
It’s been a long day. The body is definitely sore, but I’m super happy with the results. Joss is my best friend—Park City represent. I’m just happy to still be standing and walking and to get up on that podium.

RESULTS
Men’s freeskiing slopestyle
Women’s freeskiing slopestyle

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