Yang Wenlong of China soared to his first-ever Snowboard Big Air World Cup victory on Saturday, electrifying the crowd in Kreischberg, Austria. The 25-year-old snowboarder delivered a stunning performance that secured his place atop the podium.
In the men’s final, Yang’s initial run featured a front double cork 1800 weddle to tailgrab, earning him 86.00 points. Despite the strong start, he found himself trailing behind Japan’s reigning champion, Taiga Hasegawa, as the competition intensified.
Facing the pressure in his final attempt, Yang unleashed a breathtaking backside 1980 Japan, scoring a massive 96.50 points. This phenomenal run propelled him past Hasegawa by a narrow margin of 2.25 points, sealing his maiden World Cup win and his second podium finish after a third-place result in Beijing.
“It’s an incredible feeling to stand on top of the podium,” Yang said. “I gave it my all, and I’m thrilled with the result.”
Hasegawa claimed second place with a combined score of 180.25 points. His compatriot, Kira Kimura, last season’s Big Air Crystal Globe winner, rounded out the podium in third with 168.75 points.
In the women’s final, Austrian snowboarding legend Anna Gasser made history by securing her 10th World Cup Big Air victory. The double Olympic gold medalist dominated the field with a total score of 167.75, finishing 10 points ahead of Japan’s Reira Iwabuchi. Seventeen-year-old Mia Brookes of Germany took the third spot.
“This one is very special,” Gasser shared after becoming the oldest World Cup winner in FIS Snowboard Park & Pipe history. “The level of the girls is just so great right now, and to still be able to keep up with my younger competitors—it’s such a great time for me.”
The thrilling performances in Kreischberg highlight the rising talent in snowboarding and set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Reference(s):
China's Yang Wenlong claims first Snowboard Big air World Cup win
cgtn.com
