16-year-old Korean Lee Chae-un wins snowboard halfpipe title at 2023 Freestyle Worlds
Lee was crowned Republic of Korea's first-ever snowboard halfpipe champion while People's Republic of China's Cai Xuetong claimed the women's title at the 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia.
Snowboard
Lee Chae-un and Cai Xuetong dominated the competition from the outset to win the men's and women's snowboard halfpipe world titles respectively at the 2023 Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, on Friday (3 March).
16-year-old Lee, representing the Republic of Korea, led the pack right after his first run with a 93.50 score that no one could surpass even after three rounds of the competition.
Australian 17-year-old Valentino Guseli came closest with 93.00 his third and final run to take home silver, while Beijing 2022 bronze medallist Jan Scherrer of Switzerland rounded off the podium in third with 89.25.
Olympic silver medallist Scotty James, who had been a favourite to take the title with Hirano Ayumu absent from the contest, finished in fifth.
"I can't believe this moment. My head is blown!" Lee told broadcasters after the event. "It is a dream come true."
As well as walking away a world champion, the Korean teenager also claims a slice of history, becoming his country's first-ever snowboard halfpipe champion.
FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2023: Men's halfpipe results
- Lee Chae-un (KOR) - 93.50
- Valentino Guseli (AUS) - 93.00
- Jan Scherrer (SUI) - 89.25
- Hirano Ruka (JPN) - 87.50
- Scott James (AUS) - 86.50
- Totsuka Yuto (JPN) - 85.50
- Hirano Kaishu (JPN) - 84.50
- Chase Josey (USA) - 82.25
- Andre Hoeflich (GER) - 90.75
- Shigeno Shuichiro (JPN) - 40.00
Cai Xuetong a cut above the rest to clinch women's halfpipe title
Cai Xuetong of the People's Republic of China dominated the competition to win her third career world title in Bakuriani.
The 29-year-old put down 90.50 in her first run to take pole position and remained there after all three rounds despite the best efforts of the chasing pack.
Canada's two-time Olympian Elizabeth Hosking finished in second with 85.50, five points behind Cai, and 18-year-old Ono Mitsuki of Japan's 83.00 score on her second run was enough to see her take third place.
Double Olympic snowboard halfpipe champion Chloe Kim opted not to compete at the World Championships after deciding to take the 2022/23 season off to prioritise her mental health.
FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2023: Women's halfpipe results
- Cai Xuetong (CHN) - 90.50
- Elizabeth Hosking (CAN) - 85.50
- Ono Mitsuki (JPN) - 83.00
- Tomito Ruki (JPN) - 80.75
- Yang Lu (CHN) - 74.75
- Wu Shaotong (CHN) - 71.75
- Isabelle Loetscher (SUI) - 64.00
- Bernice Wicki (SUI) - 52.50