Next weekend, the red-white-red snowboarders and freeskiers will be heading to Peking for the next Freestyle World Cup stop at the 2022 Olympic venue in Shougang Park, where the second Big Air event of the season is scheduled.
In snowboarding, Austria will be represented by the women’s duo of Anna Gasser and Hanna Karrer, as well as Clemens Millauer in the men’s category. In the freestyle skiing competition, the Austrian team includes Matej Svancer, Lukas Müllauer, Julius Forer, and Hannes Rudigier.
Anna Gasser has fond memories of the kicker at Shougang Park, as the Carinthian athlete won her second Olympic gold in Big Air there in 2022 after her victory in Pyeongchang in 2018. Additionally, the 33-year-old clinched her third World Cup victory on Chinese snow last season, following her triumphs in 2017 at the Workers’ Stadium and in 2018 at the Bird’s Nest.
The two-time Olympic champion has been working on a new trick called the “Cab Triple Cork 1260” in recent weeks, incorporating a combined grab with both hands on the board. Gasser successfully landed this jump for the first time in early November while training on the Stubai Glacier. She stated, “I have been working on it all summer, changing my technique and rotations. There was a certain amount of risk involved in the transition, but it was necessary to stay ahead. I plan to use this trick in the World Cup this season, maybe even in Peking.”
Continuing Positive Development
While 16-year-old Styrian athlete Hanna Karrer, who finished tenth at the Big Air World Cup opener in Chur in October, aims to gain more important experiences in China and take the next step in her positive development, Clemens Millauer has also added a new trick to his repertoire. The Upper Austrian athlete has been practicing a “Backside 1800 with Nose-Grab” in Stubai and Corvatsch, which he plans to showcase in China. Millauer mentioned, “With a strong field expected in Peking, it will require this jump along with a ’16er’ to qualify for the final.”
Shuffling the Cards
Freeskier Matej Svancer, who won in Chur, flew to the Chinese capital on Monday, aware that the competition in Shougang Park will be different. He stated, “The two contests are completely different. Chur has a smaller kicker with a rough landing, while Peking has bigger features, more airtime, and perfect conditions. This expands the pool of potential winners, making it even more challenging to come out on top.”
Olympic Moments
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Freestyle World Cup event in Peking, the Austrian athletes are gearing up to showcase their skills and compete against a strong international field. With new tricks in their arsenal and a desire to continue their positive momentum, the red-white-red team is ready to take on the challenge and create memorable moments on the slopes of Shougang Park.
