New 170m Halfpipe Opens Ahead of World Cup Finals
The world’s newest halfpipe, located in the Corvatsch Park near St Moritz, Switzerland. Located at the Murtèl middle station, at 2,700 metres above sea level, it’s also one of the planet’s largest at 170 metres long and 7 metres high.
The pipe’s opening comes ahead of the FIS Freeski & Snowboard World Cup Finals later this month from March 21 to 24, 2024. Also taking place in the Swiss Engadin region and based in the resort of Silvaplana, it will see the world’s best freestyle snowboarders and freeski professionals.
In the 11th edition of the Corvatsch Silvaplana World Cup 4 titles, 120.000 CHF in prize money, and the awarding of the large and small FIS crystal globes for the best snowboarders and freeskiers of the winter 2023/2024.
Swiss Olympic champion and reigning world champion Mathilde Gremaud is the overwhelming favourite to win, having already secured four World Cup victories this season. Competition comes from Silvaplana winner Tess Ledeux (FRA), from the Swiss team with Sarah Höfflin and Giulia Tanno, as well from superstar Eileen Gu (CHN/USA), who is back in the forefront after a two-year hiatus.
In the women’s snowboarding category, British rider Mia Brookes returns to Engadin with an X-Games gold medal. Contenders for the Corvatsch title also include defending champion Julia Marino (USA), strong Japanese riders led by Kokomo Murase, Annika Morgan (GER), and Corvatsch Champ 2022 Anna Gasser (AUT).
In men’s freeski, all eyes are on Andri Ragettli (Graubünden/SUI). The 2021 world champion faces off the sensation Birk Ruud (NOR), the current world champion. In the last two contests, the Norwegian stood at the top of the podium at the Laax Open and the X-Games. Also in the mix will be Mac Forehand (USA), overall World Cup leader, Olympic champion Alex Hall (USA), and Corvatsch title defender Jesper Tjäder (SWE).
Among the snowboarders, it will be revealed whether junior world champion Taiga Hasegawa (JPN) can repeat his spectacular victory from the previous year. All the riders are eager for the title, such as Canadian Liam Brearley, who stood on the Corvatsch podium in 2023 and, like freeski colleague Ruud, started the new year successfully with wins at the Laax World Cup and X-Games. The snowboarders, however, bring their own fan club, in particular Corvatsch ambassador Nicolas Huber (SUI).
The 2024 World Cup serves as rehearsal for the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships in St. Moritz 2025, where medal decisions will take place in the Corvatsch Park.
