Snowboard's next generation fire warning to world’s finest with thrilling YOG display
A host of young snowboarders showed they are ready to challenge the world’s best as the men’s slopestyle concluded in style on Monday.
Snowboard
Fresh from topping qualification at the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup event in Laax, Switzerland, a week ago, the USA’s Dusty Henricksen proved he is a name to watch as he took slopestyle gold by a margin of 11 points.
“An unreal experience,” Henricksen said of his dominant performance. He relegated close friend Liam Brearley (CAN) to silver, with home hero Nick Puenter taking bronze thanks to a brave final run.
“All the riders here are super good, the level of competition was really high,” Henricksen said.
“The World Cup was a crazy experience, going up against all these people I have looked up to all my life. You never know what is going to happen but the World Cup is definitely my aim now.
“I’ve got to keep my body in tip-top condition. I go to the gym as much as possible and I eat healthily. I didn’t used to be so good at that but I feel much better when I eat well.”
It is the type of dedication that Henricksen and all his Lausanne 2020 peers know is required if they are to reach the top.