- Choi Gaon secured her third consecutive victory in the Laax Open, marking a historic achievement.
- Scotty James won his fifth Laax Open title and led an Oceania podium sweep for the first time in FIS history.
- The men’s final saw James land the highest-scoring run of 98.75 points.
- Ayumu Hirano, defending Olympic champion, finished 12th after a heavy crash in his first attempt.
Three-Time Champion Gaon Choi Claims Third Consecutive Victory at Laax Open
In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, 17-year-old snowboarder Gaon Choi (KOR) made history by securing her third consecutive victory in the Laax Open Halfpipe World Cup. The teenager was the first rider to clinch a win under the Laax lights on Saturday after recovering from a heavy fall in her first attempt.
Wearing the leader’s yellow bib, Choi executed an impressive run that included a switch backside 720 stalefish, a backside 900 stalefish, and a frontside 1080 melon. The teenager admitted the fall had shaken her but stated, “The first run, front end was so sore … my body was so sick.” She went on to say, “I’m so proud of me. I want to work harder.”
Scotty James Dominates Men’s Final with Record Fifth Win
In the men’s final, reigning World Champion Scotty James (AUS) once again proved his dominance by winning his fifth Laax Open title, a feat that also led to an Oceania podium sweep in FIS history. The 31-year-old Australian started strong with a switch frontside triple cork 1440 indy and finished with a backside double cork 1260 mute on his sixth hit.
James, known for his innovative tricks, said, “To put it down on my last run is a bit of a dream come true. Feeling good, so just got to keep it up.” He also expressed optimism about the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, stating, “I really think that we’re probably going to be in for one of the most exciting, and thrilling and competitive Olympics maybe in history amongst the whole field in the halfpipe. It’s exciting for me and I hope it’s exciting for everyone watching, and I can’t wait to go to battle with everyone.”
Defending Champion Ayumu Hirano Struggles in Final
While James celebrated his victory, defending Olympic Halfpipe champion Ayumu Hirano (JPN) faced a challenging final. The Japanese athlete finished 12th after crashing heavily during his first attempt and did not start his second run.
The Laax Open is the last Halfpipe World Cup of the 2025/26 season, setting the stage for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Choi leads the women’s discipline standings with 300 points from her three consecutive victories, while Japan’s Yuto Totsuka tops the men’s standings on 296 points.
The upcoming events in Ban-K (JPN) will resume the tour in March as snowboarders prepare for the Olympic Games. The excitement builds as athletes like Choi and James continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in their respective disciplines.
