Monster Recap | LAAX Open '22

LAAX OPEN 2022 was fucking epic. Chloe Kim swept the podium with first in Women's Snowboard Halfpipe and Ayumu Hirano sealed the win in Men's Snowboard Halfpipe. In the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle, Tess Coady cinched the victory and Annika Morgan placed third! Finally, Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Ståle Sandbech scored second place. Check out the details below:

Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe:

Under the lights, each rider received two runs to post a high score on the legendary LAAX OPEN Superpipe. With 22-feet-high walls and at over 650 feet in length, it’s the world’s longest competition halfpipe.

Snowboard phenom Chloe Kim swept the podium with first place.

“It feels really great. It was the best experience. I love this place so much and I always get so excited to come here,” said Chloe Kim upon winning the LAAX OPEN 2022. “The fans showing up watching us and cheering us on was so amazing. And I’m just so happy that I was able to land my first run.”

Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe

Ayumu Hirano sealed the win.

“I’m really happy and stoked! I did well on my first run and tried harder tricks on my second run. It felt really comfortable,” said Ayumu Hirano upon winning the LAAX OPEN 2022 and overall FIS World Cup Title. “I’ve been feeling good so far and had no injuries. I’ve been progressing nicely and want to keep riding well.”

On the strength of Saturday’s win, Hirano rises to the top of the FIS World Cup season standings with 250 points and claims the 2021/22 Crystal Globe trophy as the Overall Champion in Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe.

Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle:

Tess Coady clinched the victory by having the bag of tricks and technical consistency to claim the win in the heated final session.

“I seriously can’t believe it. It’s so bizarre. I’m so stoked!” said Tess upon taking first place. “I was pretty nervous for this once since I haven’t done a competition since March last year. But I really did what I wanted this week.”

Annika Morgan got third place with her first podium spot at LAAX OPEN!

Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle:

Ståle Sandbech rose to second place, earning silver against a competitive 11 other riders. After losing the handle on Run 1, he found his perfect line on the second and final run of the session.