In a spectacular display of skill and determination, China’s Yang Wenlong claimed his first International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Snowboard Big Air World Cup victory in Kreischberg, Austria, on Saturday. The 25-year-old soared to the top of the podium after a thrilling final that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Yang began the competition with a front double cork 1800 weddle to tailgrab, earning an impressive 86.00 points. Despite his strong start, he found himself trailing behind reigning champion Taiga Hasegawa of Japan as they headed into the decisive third run.
Undeterred, Yang delivered a phenomenal backside 1980 Japan in his final attempt, which earned him a staggering 96.50 points. This remarkable performance propelled him ahead of Hasegawa by 2.25 points, securing his maiden World Cup victory and placing him on the podium for the second time following his third-place finish in Beijing.
“It’s an incredible feeling to win here,” Yang said after the event. “Competing against the world’s best pushes me to perform at my highest level.”
Hasegawa took second place with a total score of 180.25 points. Kira Kimura, also from Japan and last season’s Big Air Crystal Globe winner, rounded out the podium in third place with 168.75 points.
In the women’s final, Austrian veteran and double Olympic gold medalist Anna Gasser delighted the home crowd by claiming her 10th World Cup Big Air victory. Gasser achieved a total score of 167.75, finishing 10 points ahead of Japan’s Reira Iwabuchi. Seventeen-year-old Mia Brookes of Germany secured third place.
“This one is very special,” Gasser reflected. “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.”
Gasser’s triumph makes her the oldest World Cup winner in FIS Snowboard Park & Pipe history, a testament to her enduring talent and dedication to the sport.
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China's Yang Wenlong claims first Snowboard Big air World Cup win
cgtn.com
