Snowboard Big Air Kicks Off Olympic Season In Milan, Alpine Skiing Moves On To Levi
The 2017/18 FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup season will kick off this Saturday, 11th November 2017 with the Big Air and the City festival event returning to Milan (ITA).
Following last year’s successful debut, the event's second edition will once again be hosted at the 2015 World Expo site and right next to the iconic Tree of Life. The competitions mark a key chance to qualify for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, where Big Air will make its much-anticipated Olympic debut.
As a result and with the road to PyeongChang closing in, some of the world's finest talents have registered for the season's first Big Air World Cup.
Watch out for 2017 World Champion and last year’s Milan winner Anna Gasser (AUT) as well as Jamie Anderson (USA) and Katie Ormerod (GBR) in the ladies’ competition, while Seppe Smits (BEL), Roope Tonteri (FIN), Antoine Truchon and Michael Ciccarelli (both CAN) or Vlad Khadarin (RUS) could all go for the win in the men’s event.
Alpine Skiing moves on to Levi
The northernmost event of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit will take place this weekend, when the world’s top slalom skiers descend on Levi (FIN).
Favourites
On the ladies' side, overall winner and slalom whiz Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) is among the hot favourites for the win. A strong contender is also Wendy Holdener (SUI) who finished third in the slalom standings last seasons and is full of confidence after a career-best in giant slalom at the season opener in Soelden. Frida Hansdotter (SWE), who won the slalom globe in 2016, is eager to see if she is back at her very best level. Young gun Petra Vhlova (SVK), winner of the last slalom World Cup race, is also on the "ones-to-watch" list.
In the men's race, slalom ace Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) will be a favourite for the win. Felix Neureuther (GER), Manfred Moelgg (ITA) and Michael Matt (AUT) are also in the hunt and could claim the top spot of the podium as well.
As per a tradition started in 2013, the winners will be awarded a baby reindeer, which they have the honour of naming before the cub is returned to the reindeer farm.
