Snowboard World Cup: Gasser stands out in women’s big air

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The 2017 Snowboard World Cup concluded in Beijing on Saturday. The big air competition, an Olympic qualifying event, attracted the best snowboarders from around the world.

Drowned in coldness, the night of Beijing has seen temperatures drop rapidly, but it was suddenly lit up by the Snowboard World Cup. Several local pop singers helped warm up the crowd and set up the best atmosphere prior to the main dish.

The Snowboard World Cup is another step towards reducing calendar clashes for the riders, and it's also the first time that women will enter the show in the Chinese capital. The women's big air final saw Anna Gasser dominating the day as she recorded a total score of 175.50 to seal the title with one round to spare. The 26-year-old Austrian has made a perfect ending to her China trip.

McMorris takes title at FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup in first event. /VCG Photo

"First of all, I think Beijing did a really great job, when you stand up you see the whole city that is really cool. Of course it is really a little different of the food, but I had a lot of fun," Gasser said.

On the men's side, Canada's Mark McMorris stood out with his final jump that won the cheers from the crowd. The 24-year-old pull off a backside triple cork 1440 mute which the judges scored at 92.75, helping him leapfrog New Zealand's Tiarn Collins into first place.

"This is my seventh time in this event, and I have never won the title, it is really good to win here in China. I also coming off the injury, it is great way to start the season again," McMorris said, “I just very happy I will go to the Olympics, and I want to keep healthy and land myself there. Hopefully win some medals."

The 2018 Winter Games will see the big air event come to the Olympic family. Some of the young faces will embrace a much bigger stage in Pyeongchang.

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