Luca Harrington (Wānaka, 20) has achieved a monumental milestone, claiming his first-ever FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup win in Klagenfurt, Austria, this morning. Not only does this mark Harrington's maiden World Cup victory and first Big Air podium, but it also signifies historic achievement as the first time any Kiwi freeskier has won a FIS Big Air World Cup.
An ecstatic Harrington could barely contain his emotions after the win, saying, “I don’t have words right now. I’ve been working so hard over the past few years. Making finals has been huge, but to land these two tricks tonight and walk away with the win is just insane—a dream come true. I’m so grateful.”
The top ten men advanced from the qualifiers to the final, held under the lights on a purpose-built scaffold jump inside a packed stadium. The Big Air format requires athletes to perform three runs, with the two highest-scoring runs—featuring tricks in different directions—combined for the final score.
Harrington, coming off a fourth-place finish at the Beijing Big Air World Cup, wasted no time establishing himself. He opened with a flawless switch right triple cork 1620 with an esco grab, scoring an impressive 94.80—the highest score of the day. Only two other athletes managed to break the 90s.
For his second run, Harrington executed a right double cork 900 bring-back with a Japan grab, solidifying his lead with a combined score of 186.60. Throughout the third and final run, the athletes dropped in reverse order, with Harrington going last. Watching his nine competitors attempt to top his score, Harrington remained untouchable. With victory already secured, he treated the crowd to a celebratory double backflip during his first-ever victory lap.
France’s Timothe Sivignon finished second, contributing to the excitement of the event, but local favorite Matej Svancer of Austria delighted the home crowd by rounding out the podium in third.
This historic victory is just the start for Harrington, who aims to keep this momentum going as he looks forward to the Kreischberg Big Air World Cup next Saturday, January 11.