World Cup Big Air contests are coming thick and fast – next up Kreischberg, Austria

Judging Perspective

The judges have had their work cut out this year with a slew of never-been-done tricks and the nuances of butter take-offs to deal with.

After the first Big Air in Chur, the conversation between the wider group of World Cup judges was that there needs to be extra attention paid to whether a butter is performed properly or not – rather than a disguised prespin. Judges and riders alike agree that there needs to be a shift in momentum forward or back and a flexing of the ski off the lip of the take-off. Butters are not black and white however, in fact there is much more grey area than anything else, making the distinction between “proper” and not potentially contentious – as if the judging process needed more of that.

This attention to detail was put into action in Klagenfurt with prespin-style switch tail butters and washed nose butters not being rewarded – as in the case of Matej Svancer’s second hit.

Although the judging panel will be almost entirely different from last week, there is constant communication between all the judges in order to ensure continuity and consistency across the season. These conversations and schools of thought are also communicated to the riders and coaches and are under constant review.

What To Expect

The Big Air season is approaching the sharp end and the title race for the Crystal Globe is still wide open. Every contest so far has had a different winner making this weekend hard to predict and proves how competitive both fields are. Matej and Tormod Frostad are in a close battle for the top spot on the men’s side but are both in danger of being caught by the in form Luca Harrington. The consistent Flora Tabanelli has a precarious lead over Mathilde Gremaud who is a constant threat, but with Mengting finally lacing clean back-to-back double corks, neither are safe.

The landing last week was bulletproof but the jump in Kreischberg looks a good size and the riders say it is in really good condition. With potentially perfect conditions and a bigger jump there might be a return to the status quo with the usual suspects progressing to finals – beyond that it is anyone’s guess.

The turnout for last week’s stadium Big Air was slightly disappointing considering how mad the Austrians go for alpine skiing. Kreischberg has a history of freeski and snowboard events, so hopefully fans will turn out with their flags, cowbells and flares for the nighttime finals, like only the Austrians know how.