Mac Forehand (Winhall, Vt.) and Ryan Stevenson (Washington, N.J.) kicked off the 2018 FIS Junior Freestyle Ski & Snowboard World Championships, winning gold and silver respectively in Sunday’s big air event at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Cody Laplante (Truckee, Calif.) just missed the podium, finishing fourth.

“I’m feeling amazing, I’m so happy to win,” Forehand said. “On the second run I did a trick (switch triple cork 1620) I’ve only landed once before so I was so happy to land that.”

Stevenson put down a switch double cork 1440, blunt grab on run two and triple cork 1440 safety on run three, the judges rewarded him for super clean execution, long grabs and big amplitude with the silver medal.

“I’m very, very stoked,” Stevenson said. “First run I didn’t do the trick I wanted so I got a little stress out. I was stoked to land my second two runs. I’m so hyped to lace them up.”

Rounding out the podium was Spain’s Thibault Magnin taking the bronze medal with a switch left triple 12 on run one, and a flawless left triple cork 1620 on his final hit. 

In the women’s event, Russia took gold and bronze with Anastasia Tatalina taking the victory and countrywomen Lana Prusakova in third. Estonia’s Kelly Sildaru won the silver. For Team USA, Svea Irving (Winter Park, Colo.) was fifth.

Four Americans Qualify For Ski Cross Finals
In the women’s skicross qualifier, Mazie Hayden (North Clarendon, Vt.) was second. In the men’s skicross qualification, Justin Wallasch (Acton, California) was seventh, Stuart Whittier (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) was 12th; Leo Brougher (Lo Alton Hills, Calif.) was 13th. The men and women’s skicross finals take place Monday at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

RESULTS
Men’s big air finals
Women’s big air finals
Men’s ski cross qualification
Women’s ski cross qualification