Freeski World Cup competitors faced off in the first major event of the 2024/25 season this weekend at Big Air Chur in Chur, Switzerland. Under the lights and before a massive and frenzied crowd of spectators, Faction athletes swept the top four spots: Matěj Švancer in first, Tormod Frostad in second, Dylan Deschamps in third, and Elias Syrja in fourth.
Scoring on the best 2 of 3 runs, Matej earned top honors with a combination of a nose-butter triple cork 1620 “safety to bolts” grab (94.25) on run 1, and a switch tail-butter triple cork 1260 safety on run 3 (91.75). It was the first time a nose-butter triple cork and a tail-butter triple cork maneuver have been combined in a World Cup final.
“It feels dope to do those two tricks,” said an elated Matej after the competition. “The most insane thing is that I am up there with Tormod and Dylan—we all ride for Faction—which makes it even more dope.”
Tormod took home the silver with an impressive showing capped by a switch tail-butter double bio 1260 safety on run 1 (95.50) and a right-side triple cork 1620 safety grab on run 2 (82.50). Tormod’s first-run stunt was the highest single score of the night, appreciated by the crowd for the perfect landing and effortless control through the air, and by the judges for its extreme technicality.
Dylan earned bronze with a triple cork 1800 mute grab (86.50) on run two, and a switch double bio 1620 mute grab on run 3 (85.00), which was celebrated for its massive amplitude – he stomped his trick at the very bottom of the landing.
In fourth, Elias earned the unofficial ‘fan favorite’ award with a switch butter cork 360, a rarely-before seen trick which was awarded a score of 90.00 for its high level of creativity.
Matěj Švancer is competing on his Signature Series Prodigy 1 Matej ski; Tormod Frostad is competing on the Prodigy 2 ski; Dylan Deschamps is competing on the Studio 1 ski; and Elias Syrja is competing on the Prodigy 1 ski.
2024 Freeski Big Air World Cup Chur - Full Results - Men
1 –– Matej Svancer (AUT) –– 186.00
2 –– Tormod Frostad (NOR) –– 178.00
3 –– Dylan Deschamps (CAN) –– 172.25
4 –– Elias Syrja (FIN) –– 171.00
5 –– Ulrik Samnoey (NOR) –– 162.50
6 –– Vebjoern Graaberg (NOR) –– 161.00
7 –– Miro Tabanelli (ITA) –– 160.25
8 –– Troy Podmilsak (USA) –– 115.25
9 –– Andreas Herranz (FRA) –– 82.25
10 –– Leo Landroe (NOR) –– 61.75
