CHUR, Switzerland, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 2022-2023 FIS freeski and snowboard World Cup season kicked off here on Saturday, with France's Tess Ledeux and Norwegian Birk Ruud triumphing at the freeski Big Air races.
Ledeux staged a left side double cork 1260 mute in her first run, which gave her the race's best 93 points. She secured the victory with a right side double 1080 safety in the third run, combing for 181 points.
"I was super nervous before the final run, because I knew I had to land it to win," said Ledeux. "I'm happy I was able to land it clean. It's really special here with all this big crowd and I'm happy I was able to win here again."
The second place went to Norway's Sandra Eie, who had never stood on the World Cup podium before, with 170.75 points in total. Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud finished third with 170 points.
On the men's side, Ruud grabbed the gold by getting 93 points for the first run and 95.75 points for the second run. The trick in his second run was never seen in competitions before, which blew the roof of the event.
"It's a switch dub 900 just kind of done in special way with a bit of extra spice on it. It's amazing to do that trick and win here. You can feel that the crowd is really with you and it's exciting," Ruud tried to describe his new trick.
Chur's snowboard events saw the snowboarders from Japan sweep both women's and men's golds.
The new season's first Snowboard World Cup Big Air women's gold went to Reira Iwabuchi, who earned 90.75, 89.75 and 90 points in her three runs, which no one could challenge as she ranked top in each.
"This was really important to me. It's my first competition since the Olympics and it's been such a long wait for me, and I'm so stoked to get first place this year," said Iwabuchi.
Reigning Olympic champion Anna Gasser combined for 164.75 points to finish second. Canadian Jasmine Baird got the bronze with 131.25 points.
In the men's competition, Japanese Takeru Otsuka and Ruki Tobita finished 1-2 with respectively 166.50 and 140 points, followed by Switzerland's Nick Puenter who combined for 125.50 points. ■
