FREESTYLE SKIING: Forehand wins seasonal Slopestyle title in Silvaplana

Mac Forehand (USA), the 2018-19 World Cup Slopestyle Champion!

The final Freestyle Skiing World Cup event of the season was a showcase for home favorite Andri Ragettli of Switzerland, but an American and a Canadian took home the big prizes.

American Mac Forehand, 17, had a 225-203 lead over Max Moffatt (CAN) coming into the final Slopestyle competition of the season, but neither were at their best, with Forehand finishing 12th and Moffatt in 22nd. That left the season title to Forehand – in his second year on the World Cup circuit – who ended with 247 points to 213 for Moffatt.

“It feels crazy,” said Forehand. “I didn’t think I would have a chance to podium this year, nevermind take home the Crystal Globe at the end of the season. I want to thank all the guys back home at [Stratton Mountain School] and U.S. Ski & Snowboard for supporting me all year long. The Silvaplana World Cup may be the best slopestyle competition that’s ever gone down in my opinion. The course was amazing, the weather was amazing, and I’m hyped with how everything worked out.”

The winner on the snow in Silvaplana (SUI) was Ragettli, who led four scorers of 90+ points. The 20-year-old scored 93.71 on his final of two runs to take his fifth career World Cup victory (four in Slopestyle) over Colby Stevenson (USA) and countryman Fabian Boesch, who scored 92.23 and 91.25.

Stevenson, 21, won his third career World Cup medal and first since November 2017. “I’m so excited, I can’t believe it,” Stevenson said. “I kept telling myself that this just wasn’t my year as I just haven’t been able to land a run in finals at any other competitions.

“Coming into the competition I just wanted to land my run for me, I didn’t care if I podiumed or won. It was one of the craziest runs I have ever thought of or attempted to do, so to put it together is a blessing. The fact my dad and stepmom are here makes this experience extra special.”

The women’s title went to Canada’s Megan Oldham – also 17 – who jumped from third to first by winning in Silvaplana, over Tess Ledeux (FRA), 84.51-77.98. Swiss Sarah Hoefflin, the World Cup leader coming in, finished fourth and ended up second in the seasonal standings by a single point, 281-280!

Summaries and season standings:

FIS Freestyle World Cup
Silvaplana (SUI) ~ 29-30 March 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Slopestyle: 1. Andri Ragettli (SUI), 93.71; 2. Colby Stevenson (USA), 92.23; 3. Fabian Boesch (SUI), 91.25; 4. Birk Ruud (NOR), 90.13; 5. Evan McEachran (CAN), 86..90. Also: 12. Mac Forehand (USA), 72.40; … 14. Alex Hall (USA), 67.68; 15. Nick Goepper (USA), 60.86.

Men’s Slopestyle Final Standings: 1. Mac Forehand (USA), 247; 2. Max Moffatt (CAN), 213; 3. Andri Ragettli (SUI), 205; 4. Oliwer Magnusson (SWE), 185; 5. Colby Stevenson (USA), 167. Also in the top 10: 6. Alex Hall (USA), 147; … 10. Kiernan Fagan (USA), 132.

Women’s Slopestyle: 1. Megan Oldham (CAN), 84.51; 2. Tess Ledeux (FRA), 77.98; 3. Silvia Bertagna (ITA), 76.11; 4. Sarah Hoefflin (SUI), 73.95; 5. Lara Wolf (AUT), 67.80. Also: 7. Caroline Claire (USA), 34.05.

Women’s Slopestyle Final Standings: 1. Megan Oldham (CAN), 281; 2. Sarah Hoefflin (SUI), 280; 3. Eileen Gu (USA), 204; 4. Mathilde Gremaud (SUI), 192; 5. Silvia Bertagna (ITA), 184. Also in the top 10: 7. Julia Krass (USA), 155; 8. Caroline Claire (USA), 121.