Laax, January 22, 2021. The first title decision was on the agenda at the LAAX OPEN: the slopestyle final. Eight female finalists and twelve male finalists competed for podium places in the first slopestyle contest of the 2020/21 FIS Snowboard Tour. In an exciting final with technically demanding runs, Jamie Anderson (USA) and Niklas Mattson (SWE) prevailed and took home prestigious OPEN titles and CHF 15,750 in prize money each.
LAAX is known for its innovative slopestyle courses, and this year is no exception. The 500-meter course consists of six features, starting with two rail sections, followed by a transition feature and two jumps. The creative Watch Obstacle rounds off the course. The riders were full of praise for the course and the Snowpark LAAX crew.
In the women's competition, Zoi Sadowski Synnott (NZL) was clearly ahead of two-time Olympic champion Jamie Anderson (USA) after the first run, in which they had to contend with adverse wind conditions. In the second run, the wind weakened, allowing the ladies to increase their level of difficulty. However, none of the women managed to beat Zoi's score. She went into her second run as the penultimate rider in the final, still at the top of the field. Knowing that Jamie Anderson was still at the top, she tried to beat her score, but failed. And then came Jamie Anderson! She played out her entire routine and proved once again that she delivers under pressure like no other. With a super smooth run, she literally scored the highest score of the day with 84.35 points in the last minute, winning her fifth LAAX Slopestyle title, which she could hardly believe: "I'm so happy! In the second run, I decided to risk everything, and it paid off. Thanks to the hosts LAAX and FIS Snowboard Tour." Australian Tess Coady is delighted with third place.
Experienced Swede Niklas Mattsson opened the men's final with a very clean and technically demanding run, which earned him 84.28 points. This laid the foundation for his first Slopestyle World Cup victory, as none of his competitors were able to beat his score. Mattsson is the first Swedish slopestyle winner in LAAX since Chris Sörman, who won here in 2005 at the first Open. Leon Vockensperger (GER) surprised everyone by finishing second and celebrated his first World Cup podium with a run full of finesse: "I can't believe what's happening right now. Standing on the podium next to my idols is incredible." Norway's Marcus Kleveland completed the podium in third place. Swiss semi-final winner Moritz Boll finished in 7th place.
Run Jamie Anderson (USA):
half-cab over the tube to backside blunt 270 out on the waterfall rail, frontside blunt 270 out on the cannon rail, backside 540 stalefish on the wing kicker, cab frontside double 900 weddle, frontside 720 weddle, frontside 180 in switch backside 540 Indy out on the watch.
Run Niklas Mattsson (SWE):
Backside lipslide on the tube, to front blunt switch up 270 out on the waterfall rail, cab 270 on 450 out on the cannon rail, switch double crippler indy, switch backside 1260 melon, backside 1620 melon, cab 540 in to backside rodeo 540 out.
Tomorrow, the LAAX OPEN 2021 will conclude with the halfpipe night finals, which can be viewedlive online or on televisionstarting at 5:45 p.m.
All information about the event can be found atlaax.com/open.
The complete results are availablehereand in the pressDropbox, where you will also find additional images and media information for editorial publication.