Tess Ledeux and Troy Podmilsak claim freeski big air titles at 2023 Freestyle World Championships
Frenchwoman Tess Ledeux highlighted her class winning a career third world title in the freeski big air at the 2023 Snowboard Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia. Troy Podmilsak of the United States won his first gold medal at the global event.
Freestyle Skiing
France’s Olympic silver medallist Tess Ledeux was unrivalled in the women’s freeski big air event to claim a third world title at the 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, on Saturday (4 March).
Ledeux was imperious, winning her second big air gold medal at the global championships with a combined score of 186.75 points – more than 11 points ahead of her nearest rival.
The 21-year-old Ledeux set the groundwork for the victory with a superb first-round run score of 94.25 points, with her third run score removing any doubt of where she ended on the podium.
Norway’s Sandra Eie finished in second place (175.00), with Megan Oldham of Canada taking third place with 174.00.
Podmilsak overcomes Olympic champion
American skier Troy Podmilsak announced himself on the global stage, winning his first freeski big air world title with a stunning score of 187.75 points.
After the first round of jumps, the 18-year-old Podmilsak was in second place behind Olympic champion Birk Ruud of Norway. He produced the goods on his second run with a score of 96.50 which catapulted him to the top of the standings.
Ruud had to settle for third place with a score of 184.50, with Austria’s Lukas Muellauer finishing third (184.50). The Norwegian won the slopestyle title earlier in the championship.
2023 Freestyle Ski World Championships: Women's Big Air results
- 🥇Tess Ledeux (FRA) - 186.75
- 🥈Sandra Eie (NOR) - 175.00
- 🥉Megan Oldham (CAN) - 174.00
- Kirsty Muir (GBR) - 171.00
- Kateryna Kotsar (UKR) - 127.75
- Muriel Mohr (GER) - 110.50
- Ruyi Yang (CHN) - 105.25
2023 Freestyle Ski World Championships: Men's Big Air results
Men's Big Air results
- 🥇Troy Podmilsak (USA) – 187.75
- 🥈Lukas Muellauer (AUT) – 184.50
- 🥉Birk Ruud (NOR) – 183.50
- Matej Svancer (AUT) – 176.50
- Luca Harrington (NZL) – 176.00
- Sebastian Schjerve (NOR) – 175.00
- Christian Nummedal (NOR) – 171.50
- Noah Porter Maclennan (CAN) – 123.75