Slopestyle season set to open in Stubai

In the last two seasons Gu has somewhat stolen the hype that used to surround Estonia’s Kelly Sildaru, who won the Stubai slopestyle back in 2018 but has only competed in one slopestyle World Cup since that event. However, the 19-year-old Sildaru does have two X Games slopestyle victories in that time, and she remains one of the most talented women in skiing. If Sildaru is motivated for victory, watch out, world.

Switzerland, as always, will be well-represented by PyeongChang 2018 gold and silver medallists (respectively) Sarah Hoefflin and Mathilde Gremaud, with 2019/20 big air crystal globe winner Giulia Tanno right there alongside them in freeskiing’s elite category.

With the USA represented by Maggie Voisin, Caroline Claire, and Marin Hamill, Great Britain coming in with Kirsty Muir and Katie Summerhayes, big air World Champion Anastasia Tatalina representing Russia, and Megan Oldham flying the Maple Leaf of Canada, there are a whole lot of possible podium combinations for this weekend.

Lastly, keep an eye on last year’s Stubai second-place finisher Johanne Killi (NOR), as she makes her return to competition after a season-ending injury suffered at the Kreischberg big air World Cup early last season.

With Ragettli out, who will step up in stacked men’s field?

For men, the projected startlist is enough to get the pulse racing for any fan of freeskiing, although the absence of reigning slopestyle World Champion Andri Ragettli (SUI) leaves a noticeable hole in the field. While Ragettli continues to get back into top form after a knee injury that required surgery back in March, the Swiss Freeski team will be nonetheless well-represented by the likes of 2015 slopestyle World Champion Fabian Boesch, Kim Gubser and Colin Wili.