ASPEN, Colo., Jan. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The
crowd witnessed history in the making on day two of X Games Aspen
2020 on Friday. In front of a capacity crowd at Buttermilk
Mountain, Monster Energy's Henrik Harlaut claimed gold in the
competitive The Real Cost Men's Ski Big Air final. The 28-year-old
from Åre, Sweden, thereby set a
new all-time record for most X Games medals held by a ski athlete
at 12.
In the Women's Ski Big Air final, 29-year-old Sarah Hoefflin from Geneva, Switzerland, battled injury and a
stacked field of riders to claim the bronze medal. This marks the
third career X Games podium for the Olympic freeski gold
medalist.
The 19th consecutive X Games in the heart of the Rocky Mountains
is here to stoke fans with premium action sports and musical
performances in a festival atmosphere from Thursday to Sunday.
Presented by Monster Energy as the long-time energy drink partner,
X Games Aspen 2020 will award 59 medals in 21 disciplines over the
course of four days. Televised live to global audiences, the event
features 166 athletes from 21 countries as well as music
performances by acclaimed urban and electronic artists.
Here's how the action unfolded across ski and snowboard
disciplines on day two of X Games Aspen 2020:
Women's Ski Big Air: Monster Energy's Sarah Hoefflin Claims
Bronze in Epic Final
The crowd at Buttermilk Mountain experienced one of the most
spectacular freeski finals of all time in Women's Ski Big Air.
Eight of the world's foremost athletes in the sport came to send
their best aerial tricks over the 70-foot gap. Countries
represented on Friday night included France, Canada, Switzerland, Estonia, United
Kingdom and the United
States.
Going into the final, Women's Ski Big Air was scored on a new
competition format for the first time this year. Whereas winners
were previously determined by adding scores for the best
right-turning and left-turning trick, judges now looked for the
best overall impression in a 25-minute jam session. Due to the
change, riders now had about six runs each to send their most
difficult aerials and demonstrate their versatile trick
repertoire.
Monster Energy's Sarah Hoefflin
is no stranger to showcasing a mixed bag of tricks and winning
contests. But the winner of Women's Ski Big Air gold at Aspen 2018
came into the contest at a disadvantage: The 29-year-old from
Geneva, Switzerland, is currently
suffering from plantar fasciitis in both heels. Plus, Hoefflin had
also injured her left leg in December
2019 at the World Cup in Atlanta and battled pain throughout practice
in Aspen.
But once the pressure was on, Sarah
Hoefflin was ready to shine with difficult tricks and
strategy. Straight out the gate, she landed a switch leftside
double cork 900 safety grab; one of the moves that won X Games gold
in 2018. Hoefflin followed up with a rightside double cork 900
mute, followed by a leftside cork 900.
For her last trick of the night, she needed something big and
pulled a switch rightside double cork 1080 over the gap. A slightly
sketchy landing cost Hoefflin some points, but she still clinched a
podium spot with a bronze medal finish.
Friday night's bronze brings Sarah
Hoefflin's X Games record to three medals (1 gold, 1 silver,
1 bronze). The Swiss native came into professional skiing
relatively late in her career after earning her neuroscience degree
in 2013. But he has since built an impressive competitive record:
Hoefflin shook up the freeski elite by winning Women's Ski Big Air
at Aspen 2018 and that same year claimed the gold medal in
slopestyle at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. In 2019, she took home Slopestyle
silver at X Games Aspen and is looking for another medal in Women's
Ski Slopestyle final at Aspen 2020 on Saturday.
Also stoking the crowd in Aspen
on Friday night, Monster Energy's Maggie
Voisin looked destined for a podium spot after putting down
a strong opening. On her first trick, the 21-year-old Montana native unleashed a double cork 1260
safety grab over the gap to take the lead. Voisin followed up with
a rodeo 900, and double cork 1260, but ultimately had to settle for
sixth place. Her Aspen 2020 journey is far from finished, as she
will be battling for a podium spot in Slopestyle, which she won in
2018 as the first American rider in X Games history.
Men's Ski Big Air: Monster Energy's Henrik Harlaut Takes Gold,
Sets Medal Record
Keeping the snow action going, The Real Cost Men's Ski Big Air
final revolved around one central storyline: Monster Energy's
Henrik Harlaut had a chance to make history this year by setting a
new record for most X Games ski medals in history. Going into the
competition, Harlaut tied his mentor, American freeski icon
Tanner Hall, at eleven total X Games
medals (6 gold, 5 silver). Could this be the night?
Standing between Harlaut and the historic feat was a stacked
field of finalists, including heavy hitters like defending Big Air
gold medalist Birk Ruud. What's more, the Men's Ski Big Air event
had also shifted to a 25-minute jam format this year, putting an
emphasis on trick selection and creativity.
Fortunately, creativity is Henrik Harlaut's middle name. The
Swedish freeski icon approached the challenge with his signature
big smile and positive energy, as he commenced to send next-level
tricks over the 70-foot gap. On his first run, Harlaut unveiled a
forward left double bio 1620 safety to clinch an early lead.
As the rest of the field fired back with state-of-the art
aerials, Harlaut kept defending the number one spot with
fast-spinning rotations on different axes, including a switch left
double bio 1620 safety, left triple 1620 mute, and a Switch left
triple orbital 1260 mute grab. When it was time for final attempts,
Harlaut was suddenly leapfrogged by Swiss skier Andri Ragettli, who
pulled a never-been-done switch triple misty to take over the
lead.
Determined to set the new record on not just any medal, but
gold, Harlaut responded with a massive left double cork 1620 blunt
taking him right back to the top. After high-fiving fans in the
crowd, Henrik Harlaut received the Ski Big Air gold medal as the
winner of one of the most epic finals Buttermilk Mountain had ever
seen. Plus, he is now officially the most decorated ski athlete in
X Games history with twelve medals to his name (7 gold, 5
silver).
"For sure this was the best jumping I've ever done in my life. I
did two or three jumps I'd never done before and landed every jump.
I had so much fun. It was crazy. It was awesome. Thank you so, so
much for the opportunity!" said Henrik Harlaut upon claiming Men's
Ski Big Air gold at X Games Aspen 2020 on Friday night.
Harlaut also found words of gratitude and respect for his mentor
Tanner Hall, whose record he
surpassed:
"Tanner is the greatest of all time and for sure the best. Thank
you for the inspiration!" said the 28-year-old from Åre,
Sweden.
Download Men's Ski Big Air Photos for Editorial Use.
Download Women's Ski Big Air Photos for Editorial Use.
Stay tuned as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ABC will televise a
combined 15.5 hours of live X Games Aspen competition, which will
also be accessible via the ESPN App and WatchABC to viewers who
receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. In
addition, all 15.5 hours of live content, plus exclusive
competitions, musical performances and X Games Extra shows will be
streamed on the @XGames YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Also make sure to visit http://www.monsterenergy.com for
exclusive updates from X Games Aspen 2020 including photos, videos,
and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter for exclusive behind-the-scenes looks
in Aspen 2020.
About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California,
Monster Energy is the leading marketer and distributor 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.
SOURCE Monster Energy