WSSF BIG AIR RECAP
Five runs in, Evan McEachran threw down his biggest run of the night when it counted the most, locking down the top step on the podium at the Ski Big Air during the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) in Whistler, B.C. with a final score of 188.75.
“I just went as fast as I possibly could. I grabbed both my grabs better and landed it a lot better,” said McEachran of the switch double cork 12 lead tail to double japan he pulled out for run number six. The 21-year-old freeskier from Ontario said closing out his season with the WSSF win couldn’t get much sweeter.
Evan McEachran. Photo by Ilanna Barkusky
“I had some troubles the past few years and would screw up a little bit in finals, but this year it all came together and I got a couple podiums and got to go to the Olympics and experience that. So this has definitely been a dream year, and this is the best way to end it.”
Max Moffatt. Photo by Ilanna Barkusky
McEachran was joined on the men’s podium by Max Moffatt, also from Ontario, who took second with 187.25, and Noah Morrison of Vernon, B.C., who rounded out the top three with 185.50.
Noah Morrison. Photo by Ilanna Barkusky
Morrison’s third-place finish was the second coup for Vernon, as 16-year-old Elena Gaskell will be bringing home some gold hardware back to the North Okanagan city after taking the win on the women’s side with a commanding final score of 175.75.
Elena Gaskell. Photo by Ilanna Barkusky
“It was so awesome. I came in not to sure about things because it was raining, but the jump was great. Speed was still there and I was having fun. Everyone was sending and it got me excited,” said Gaskell. “I tried a new trick. I tried to do a switch 10 mute, which I’ve never done before. I was just throwing some of my biggest tricks and having fun.”
Yuki Tsubota. Photo by Ilanna Barkusky
Gaskell was joined on the podium by two-time Olympian and Whistler legend Yuki Tsubota, who owned the second step, scoring 161.25, while up-and-comer Sofia Tchernetsky, also from Whistler, took third with 122.75.
This first night of Big Air competition featured a stacked roster of 14 who sent it on the massive jump, measured at 65 feet from the takeoff to the edge of the knuckle, in front of a crowd estimated at over 2,000 festival-goers under the lights, and rain, of Whistler Village.
Max Moffatt & Yuki Tsubota (2nd place), Evan McEachran & Elena Gaskell (1st), and Sofia Tchernetsky & Noah Morrison (3rd). Photo by Mitch Winton
“It was such a good vibe,” said McEachran. “Everyone’s out here in the rain still. It’s awesome.”
Saturday’s Snowboard Big Air will be broadcast live on King Snow & WSSF’s Facebook pages or on the web at live.wssf.com starting at 7:30 p.m. PST. For more information on the World Ski & Snowboard Festival, visit wssf.com.