Audi Nines 2019 goes down in style

The 2019 edition of the Audi Nines big air competition went down on Saturday at Soelden’s (AUT) Tiefenbach Glacier, and the event that has come to be known as one of the world’s premier showcases of progressive freeskiing and next-level course building did not disappoint once again, despite some weather issues throughout the week.

Saturday’s competition concluded five days of riding and filming on the mind-blowing Audi Nines course that saw some of the best riding of the season, including massive tricks from the Swiss duo of Andri Ragettli and Fabian Boesch. Earlier in the week Ragettli stomped a quad cork 1980, while Boesch landed the first-ever triple misty 1620. Also David Wise’s enormous air, 11.7 meters above the quarter pipe hit the headlines on the first day of the event, arguably breaking Simon Dumont’s world record from 2008.

But on the contest day it was Johanne Killi (NOR) and Elias Syrja (FIN) who impressed the judges the most and topped the podium and wrap up an exciting week of freeski action on a high note.

In the ladies’ event Killi led the field with her cork 900 tail grab and a switch 540 nose grab. Second place went to Elena Gaskell (CAN), while Silvia Bertagna (ITA) rounded out the ladies’ podium in third.

Over on the men’s side Elias Syrja earned the top spot while stomping some jaw-dropping tricks like a switch triple 1260 screaming seamen and a switch double cork 900 nose grab that he would keep on holding through the landing.

Second place went to Birk Ruud (NOR), while Fabian Boesch finished the competition behind the Scandinavians in third place.

Representing New Zealand Nico Porteous won the best trick award with his alley-top double flat spin 1080 Japan on the quarter pipe.

Other awards winners at the Audi Nines included Killi and Ferdinand Dahl (NOR) for the "Best Style," and Tess Ledeux (FRA) and Lukas Muellauer (AUT) who were designated  as the “Rulers of the Week.”

Watch the highlights here: