Impressive second runs by Switzerland’s Livia Tanno and South Korea’s Minsik Lee helped them overcome difficult snow conditions to win gold in snowboard slopestyle, Wednesday, at the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games.
“The conditions were really tough. Seeing a lot of the riders not landing their run, I decided to go for an easier one, and I’m very glad it worked,” Tanno said after her performance, which was rewarded by a fantastic score of 90 points by the jury.
The 20-year-old was loudly applauded by numerous Swiss delegation members, all there to witness the country’s second gold medal of the FISU Games.
“It did not stress me, it was great that all these people came to cheer for me,” Tanno said.
Noémie Equy of France (68.50) and Tinkara Tanja Valcl (52.25) of Slovenia rounded up the women’s podium.
On the men’s side, South Korea’s Minsik Lee also had to adjust his level as many of the twelve finalists fell on the difficult snow track at Gore Mountain.
“I was under a lot of pressure after I didn’t land my first, but I was really focused on my run, no matter how hard the conditions were,” the Korea National Sport University student expressed.
Lee, who also merited 90 points, had to wait for his two main competitors, Japanese teammates Haruhi Tsuji (88.00) and Atsuhiro Suzuki (80.00), to execute their second run before he could celebrate. He showed his relief by falling into the arms of his coach as soon as the gold medal was secured.
“The Japanese are very good at the moment, so I appreciate the value of this gold medal even more.”
And Lee knows a thing or two about Japan, for his idol in the sport is Japanese legend Kazuhiro Kokubo, to whom he dedicated his victory.
“Kazu is my idol, I’m a fan of his passion and his style, and I try my best to be like him. You can be assured I will keep trying in the Big Air competition.”
The Lake Placid 2023 Big Air finals are set for Friday afternoon at Gore Mountain.
Written by Louis Gilles, FISU Young Reporter
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