Monster Energy’s Gus Kenworthy Wins Slopestyle Finals At The U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen; In Contention For Olympic Team Place

Monster Energy would like to extend a huge congratulations to Gus Kenworthy for showing up and putting down a huge run that earned him first place at the second freeski slopestyle contest at the U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado on Sunday.

His win at this event, which served as a make-up slopestyle qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team and was non-FIS sanctioned, puts Kenworthy in contention for officially making the U.S. Freeski Team. Currently, Kenworthy is second in slopestyle rankings and will look to make the podium at next week’s Grand Prix in Mammoth to officially secure his spot.

After a slight bobble on his first run, Kenworthy knew what he had to do on his second run and unleashed a fury of tricks. These included a flawless rail section, followed by a huge 1440, a smooth 1260, and ended with a stylish 1080 on the jumps. The judges awarded him a 95.40 for his efforts, which launched him into first place; a place he held throughout the third and final runs.

"I didn't make the finals in the first event because I messed up both of my runs," said Kenworthy of Wednesday’s qualifier. "I think it lit a fire, and I realized how much I had to step it up in the last two days (at Snowmass). I didn't get the pipe results I was hoping for, but I did some new tricks so that was good for me, but it still didn't yield the result I wanted. But to come in today and land the run I wanted and get on the top of the podium has given me so much confidence going into Mammoth."

Fellow Monster Energy teammate, Evan McEachran, who hails from Canada, also skied impressively and landed on the podium for his efforts. He scored 92.20 on his second run, which held for third place.

“I’m so stoked on today, the skiing was really fun, and I’m just glad I put down the runs that I wanted,” said McEachran after the event.

On the ladies side of things, Maggie Voisin, who already earned her official bid for the U.S. Freeski Team on Saturday by taking second in slopestyle, followed up with another second place finish on Sunday.

As one of the most consistent women’s skiers in the field, Voisin is poised to do big things in the upcoming Winter Games in Pyeonchang, South Korea.