The LAAX OPEN 2020 slopestyle finalists have been decided – led by Olympic champion Red Gerard and Japan's Reira Iwabuchi.

The innovative course was shown off to its best advantage today with blue skies and warm temperatures. The women were up first in the morning. The twelve semifinalists each competed in two runs, with only the better result counting toward securing one of the six spots in the final. Reira Iwabuchi, who already won the qualifying round on Monday, dominated again and will go into the final with a lot of confidence. The US girls Hailey Langland – 2nd at the 2019 X-Games Slopestyle – and Julia Marino qualified in 2nd and 3rd place and are definitely favorites for the podium on Friday. The surprise of the day in fourth place was Germany's Annika Morgan, who already caused a stir in the Burton US Open final last season. Olympic silver medalist Laurie Blouin from Canada and Britain's Katie Ormerod secured the remaining two spots in the final.

Then it was time for the men's semi-finals with 24 riders, from which the best twelve would advance. It was a very successful day for the US riders, seven of whom qualified for the finals, including Olympic slopestyle champion Red Gerard, who put in an incredible second run and received the day's highest score from the judges. His teammate Justus Henkes secured second place and Big Air Olympic champion Seb Toutant from Canada finished in third place. Staale Sandbech, who trains regularly in LAAX, was the best European rider in fourth place. He already came second at the LAAX OPEN 2019, and on Friday he will certainly be aiming for the top spot on the podium. His Scandinavian colleagues Sven Thorgren/SWE (5th), Fridtjof Tischendorf/NOR (6th), and Mons Roisland/NOR (12th) will also be competing for a place on the podium.

Despite their outstanding performances, the Swiss riders did not make it to the final.