Austria’s Anna Gasser topped the women’s slopestyle qualification standings at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard World Cup in Laax in Switzerland.
In the first of two heats, Gasser managed to score 93 points to hold off the challenge of the United States’ Jamie Anderson and Finland’s Enni Rukajarvi.
The US’s Julia Marino won the second heat with 79.75 points as Japan’s Asami Hirono and fellow American Karly Shorr came second and third respectively.
Canada’s Mark McMorris matched Gasser’s score to head the men’s qualification standings.
Compatriots Darcy Sharpe and Tyler Nicholson completed the top three in heat one.
Finland’s Kalle Jarvilehto, Canada’s Sebastien Toutant and Belgium’s Sebbe De Buck also won their heats with totals of 88.25, 91.25 and 86 respectively.
Canada’s Max Parrot and New Zealand’s Tiarn Collins were second and third to Jarvilehto, while Norway’s Marcus Kleveland and Belgium’s Seppe Smits were Toutant’s nearest challengers.
Michael Ciccarelli of Canada and the US’s Charles Guldemond rounded out the podium in the fourth heat won by De Buck.
Men’s and women’s slopestyle competitions are scheduled to take place Wednesday and Friday.
By Daniel Etchells
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.