Jamie Nicholls
Marko Grilc has claimed top podium position in the first of this year LG Snowboard FIS World Cup Big Air events. In a close fought comp during London’s Relentless Freeze Festival, Grilc edges out the Norwegian Staale Sandbach by only 3.6 points. Completeing the top three line up was the Belgian Seppe Smits. Brit Jamie Nichols played an absolute blinder in the final, eventually taking 7th place; in doing so he beat the likes of Gjermund Braaten and Sebastien Toutant.
This was a complete reversal of fortunes for Grilc, who dislocated his hip at the first event three years ago. He pulled off a double cork backside 1080 in his final run too clinch the London title, adding it to last season’s Air + Style crown.
Next stop for the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup is the Swiss resort of Saas-Fee, on October the 3rd and 4th. That event sees the first World Cup halfpipe, in the Freestyle Park Allalin.
1. Marko Grilc (SLO)
2. Staale Sandbech (NOR)
3. Seppe Smits (BEL)
4. Per Iver Grimsrud (NOR)
5. Janne Korpi (FIN)
6. Michael Macho (AUT)
7. Jamie Nicholls (GBR)
8. Gjermund Braaten (NOR)
9. Victor De Le Rue (FRA)
10. Clemens Schattschneider (AUT)
11. Gian-Luca Cavigelli (SUI)
12. Sebastien Toutant (CAN)
images: Ville Paumola, Jamie Nicholls. © FIS/Oliver Kraus