JAMIE ANDERSON (USA) AND NIKLAS MATTSSON (SWE) ARE THE LAAX OPEN 2021 SLOPESTYLE CHAMPIONS

At the LAAX OPEN the first title decision was on the agenda, the final in slopestyle. 8 finalists and 12 finalists competed for the podium places at the first slopestyle contest of the FIS Snowboard Tour 2020/21. In an exciting final with technically challenging runs, Jamie Anderson (USA) and Niklas Mattson (SWE) prevailed and take home prestigious OPEN titles and CHF 15,750 prize money each.

LAAX is known for innovative slopestyle courses, and this year is no exception. The 500 m long course consisting of 6 features starts with two rail sections, followed by a transition feature and two jumps. The final feature is the creative Watch Obstacle. The riders were full of praise for the course and the Snowpark LAAX crew.

In the women's race, Zoi Sadowski Synnott (NZL) was clearly in the lead after the first run, where they had to fight with the adverse wind conditions, ahead of 2-time Olympic champion Jamie Anderson (USA). In the second run the wind died down and the ladies were able to increase their level of difficulty. However, none of the women managed to beat Zoi's score. The latter went into her second run as the penultimate rider of the final, still at the front of the field. Knowing that Jamie Anderson was still on top, she tried to top her score, which she failed to do. And then came Jamie Anderson! She played out all her routine and proved again that she delivers under pressure like no other. With a super smooth run she literally got the highest score of the day with 84.35 points in the last minute and thus her 5th LAAX Slopestyle title, which she could hardly believe: "I'm so happy! In the second run I decided to risk everything and it paid off. Thanks to the hosts LAAX and FIS Snowboard Tour." Australia's Tess Coady is happy about the third place.

The experienced Swede Niklas Mattsson opened the men's final with a very clean and technically demanding run, which earned him 84.28 points. With this he laid the foundation for his first Slopestyle World Cup victory, because none of his competitors could beat the score in the following. By the way, Mattsson is the first Swedish slopestyle winner in LAAX since Chris Sörman, who took the victory here at the first Open in 2005. Leon Vockensperger (GER) surprised in second place and celebrated his first World Cup podium with a run full of finesse: "I can't believe what's going on right now. To stand next to my idols on the podium is incredible." Norway's Marcus Kleveland completed the podium in third. Swiss Semi-Final winner Moritz Boll finished in 7th place.

Run Jamie Anderson (USA):
half-cab over the tube to backside blunt 270 out on the waterfall rail, frontside blunt 270 out on the cannon rail, backside 540 stalefish on the wing kicker, cab frontside double 900 weddle, frontside 720 weddle, frontside 180 in switch backside 540 Indy out on the watch.

Run Niklas Mattsson (SWE):
Backside lipslide on the tube, to front blunt switch up 270 out on the waterfall rail, cab 270 on 450 out on the cannon rail, switch double crippler indy, switch backside 1260 melon, backside 1620 melon, cab 540 in to backside rodeo 540 out.