Monster Army Rider Luca Harrington Takes 1st Place at Big Air Kreischberg FIS World Cup
PR Newswire
6 min read
Monster Energy congratulates Monster Army rider Luca Harrington on winning the Men's Freeski Big Air event at Big Air Kreischberg in Austria this weekend.
KREISCHBERG, Austria, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The World Cup wins continue! Monster Energy congratulates Monster Army rider Luca Harrington on winning the Men's Freeski Big Air event at Big Air Kreischberg in Austria this weekend. In the fourth of five Big Air events on the season calendar, the 20-year-old from Wānaka, New Zealand, claimed his second consecutive FIS World Cup victory after already winning Big Air Klagenfurt one week earlier.
On Saturday, the Men's Snowboard Big Air event saw 19-year-old Taiga Hasegawa from Iwakura, Japan, capturing second place. In the Women's Snowboard Big Air competition, 17-year-old Mia Brookes from Sandbach, United Kingdom, rose to the podium in third place.
From January 10 to 11, Big Air Kreischberg featured the world's most competitive snow sports athletes for the penultimate Big Air event of the 2024/25 FIS Snowboard World Cup season. Sanctioned by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), the competition attracted a large crowd for a nighttime air show under floodlights, supplemented by DJs and musical performances in a festival atmosphere. Kreischberg marked the first on-mountain event of the season contested on a jump composed of real snow, as opposed to man-made kickers – and the level of riding was off the charts.
Here's how the action unfolded for Team Monster Energy in Kreischberg this weekend:
Freeski Big Air: Monster Army's Luca Harrington Takes Second Consecutive Victory
The Men's Freeski Big Air final on Friday night stoked the crowd with yet another spectacular performance by 20-year-old Monster Army rider Luca Harrington from Wānaka, New Zealand. After clinching his career-first FIS World Cup the previous weekend at Big Air Klagenfurt, the Kiwi ripper continued his winning streak.
Dropping into the competitive final session, Harrington edged ahead of the field by earning the highest score of the night with his signature trick, a switch right triple 1620 esco grab, for 95.75 points. He then sealed his victory on Run 2 by finessing a rightside triple cork 1800 safety grab for 92.00 points and a winning score of 187.75 points.
"I did not expect this to happen. To put down two runs again and walk away with the win, it's been incredible. I kind of switched up my game plan today, so I was a little unsure coming in, but I'm glad I did it," said Monster Army rider Harrington upon claiming the Men's Freeski Big Air win at Kreischberg.
On the strength of Friday's victory, Harrington now takes the lead in FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup standings with 295 points. Harrington made history last week as the first rider from New Zealand to win an FIS World Cup event.
Speaking on his preparation for this successful season, Harrington said: "There's been so much training and competition experience that's come into this. You start to get into a comfortability, and I think that's starting to work for me now. I'm feeling comfortable and I'm really stoked about where I am in life right now."
Snowboard Big Air: Taiga Hasegawa Takes 2nd Place and Mia Brookes 3rd Place
In the Men's Snowboard Big Air final on Saturday night, 19-year-old Taiga Hasegawa from Iwakura, Japan, dropped in as the reigning World Champion in the discipline and fresh off winning the Big Air Klagenfurt contest one week prior.
Hasegawa stoked the festival crowd on Run 1 by landing a signature trick, Caballerial 1800 Weddle grab, over the jump for 89.50 points and a strong start into the final. On his second run, he followed up with a technical frontside 1800 for 90.75 points. When all was said and done, Hasegawa finished in second place with a total score of 180.25 points.
After Kreischberg, Hasegawa continues to lead overall Men's Park & Pipe season rankings with 318.00 points; more than 100 points ahead of the next competitor. He also holds first place in Big Air rankings with 309 points and a 99-point advantage.
In the Women's Snowboard Big Air final, 17-year-old Mia Brookes from Sandbach, United Kingdom, dropped in as the previous season's Big Air Crystal Globe winner. She is also the current leader in overall Women's Park & Pipe standings after claiming two Big Air victories in Beijing and Klagenfurt.
As the high-stakes final unfolded, Brookes missed the landing on her first attempt at a Caballerial 1260, increasing the pressure to land her next two runs. Demonstrating grace under pressure, Brookes sprung back on Run 2 by landing a Caballerial 900 stalefish grab for 72.00 points. On her final attempt, she secured her spot on the podium by spinning a backside 1260 Weddle grab for 76.00 points. A total score of 148.00 points earned Brookes third place in Kreischberg.
With only one more Big Air event on the season calendar, Brookes ranks first in overall 2024/25 FIS Snowboard World Cup Park & Pipe rankings with 385.00 points. She also leads the Women's Snowboard Big Air leaderboard with 305.00 points.
Stay tuned when the final Big Air event of the 2024/25 FIS Big Air World Cup season will crown freeski and snowboard champions and award Crystal Globe trophies in Aspen, Colorado, from February 4-6, 2025.
About Monster Energy Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.
