Lucia Georgalli, 16, another rising snow sports star from Wānaka

Laax, Switzerland – Lucia Georgalli (Wānaka, 16 - above right with Kiwi team mate Ava Beer - left) ) has achieved her first European Cup Premium podium of her career, finishing in third place today in the Snowboard Slopestyle finals in Laax. 

Georgalli was ecstatic after the event, saying; “I was really hyped to land my cab 270, continuing 270 on the top down rail and to land my front 720 on the jumps cleanly was awesome. I am now feeling really confident going into my next few events”. 

Georgalli laced together a stylish first run, with technical rail tricks up the top of the course and solid snowboarding on the jumps. Her second run was much the same as her first run, but she tidied it up and was rewarded with a few extra points by the judges, receiving a score of a 78.40, putting her in podium position. 

Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Podium. [L-R] Mia Brookes (2nd), Emeraude Maheux (1st), Lucia Georgalli (3rd). Credit Snow Sports NZ

Georgalli said; “The level of riding in the women’s field was really good, there were a lot of athletes who were throwing down big spins and technical rail tricks. Even Mia Brookes, the current World Champion, was competing. I am so stoked to be on the podium with Mia, and a huge congratulations to Momo for the win.”  

Emeraude Maheux of Canada (known as Momo) took the win today, with current snowboard slopestyle World Champion Mia Brookes of Great Britain in second place.  

Geogralli was one of five Kiwi athletes in action today in the Snowboard Slopestyle finals. Georgalli’s teammate Ava Beer (Te Anau, 14) finished in fifth place, a commendable effort as the youngest female athlete in the competition.  

Dane Menzies (Wānaka, 17) was the top performing Kiwi in the men’s finals, finishing in 9th place. Rocco Jamieson (16) and Cam Melville Ives (16), both of Wānaka, finished in 15th and 18th respectively. This was a particularly significant achievement considering 108 men dropped into the Snowboard Slopestyle qualifiers, with only the top 20 advancing to the finals. 

The action continues tomorrow in LAAX, with the FIS European Cup Premium Freeski and Snowboard Halfpipe event.