FONT ROMEU, France (Jan. 14, 2017) – McRae Williams (Park City, UT) scored his first World Cup win at the season’s opening slopestyle World Cup event in France today. The finals were canceled due to weather.
It was a great win for Williams, who finished second at last season’s Mammoth U.S. Grand Prix/FIS World Cup slopestyle event. As Williams was in first place after Friday’s sun-soaked qualifiers, he stayed atop the field at Font Romeu when finals were canceled.
“I’m super stoked,” said Williams. “I can't even fathom how good it feels to snag my first World Cup win at age 26. It has definitely been a goal of mine since our debut in the World Cup circuit and to achieve this goal being one of the elders in the pack feels great! It is difficult to keep up with all the young guns in our sport right now, so I couldn't be more grateful to take this win heading into the Olympic year. It is definitely a huge confidence boost!”
Williams was joined on the podium by Sweden’s Jesper Tjader in second and Alex Bellemare of Canada in third. Four Americans were also in the top 10, with Alex Hall (Park City, UT) in fourth, Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN) fifth and Joss Christensen (Park City, UT) ninth.
Topping the women’s field was local French skier Tess Ledeux, with Norway’s Johanne Killi in second and Anouk Purnelle-Faniel of Canada rounding out the podium in third. Nadia Gonzales (Keystone, CO) was the top American in 11th.
Next up on the World Cup tour for the slopestyle skiers is a stop in Seiser Alm, Italy at the end of the month, Jan. 26-28. Invited athletes will opt to head back to the U.S. for X Games Aspen Jan. 26-29 before the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain.
HIGHLIGHTS
- U.S. Freeskiing pro slopestyle team member McRae Williams earned his first World Cup win. His best run scored 92.80.
- The finals were canceled due to weather, so qualifier results stood as final.
- Four American men were also in the top 10: Alex Hall fourth, Nick Goepper fifth and Joss Christensen ninth.
- Next, some skiers will head to Seiser Alm, Italy for a slopestyle, while others will go back to the U.S. for the X Games Aspen.
QUOTES
McRae Williams
I’m super stoked. We had an awesome qualifier—sunny weather, great course. I’m glad things panned out well the other day. We were all able to throw down—everybody killed it. I’m super stoked to be on top. It couldn’t have been a better qualifier.
RESULTS
Men’s Slopestyle
Women’s Slopestyle
