Kiwis on Form at Swiss Freeski Open, Alec Savery with the Win

Crans-Montana, Switzerland (20 March 2016) - New Zealand freeskiers were on form at the Swiss Freeski Open at Crans-Montana in Switzerland on Sunday 20 March. Alec Savery won the men’s slopestyle event while Luke Hughes finished fourth. The ladies’ event saw two Kiwis on the podium, Anna Willcox in second and Adie Lawrence third.

Alec's winning run was a switch left cork 1080 tail grab, switch right double cork 1080 safety grab, switch left 270-270 off to the rainbow, right 270 on-270 off the down rail.

Alec was pleased to be finishing on a high after a frustrating season.

“This season I had difficulty finding my stride,” he explains. “Today I felt confident I could win if I could land my run so that was my main focus. The achievement for me was not the first place but rather the confidence I got out of figuring out how to approach competitions from here on in. I’m very stoked to end the northern hemi season on a high note and to have experienced such perfect conditions here in Crans-Montana, the place is unreal I hope to be back soon.”

Lukes Hughes was also pleased with his result: “I’m pretty happy with how I performed to sneak into fourth and end the Europe trip with a bang! Crans-Montana was exceptional. Slushy, bluebird and no wind three days in a row!”

The result was also a positive for Anna Willcox who made her come back to snow this season after injuring herself during the 2015 northern hemisphere winter. “I’m very happy to be on the podium again!” she said.

“I absolutely loved my time in Crans-Montana!” says Adie Lawrence. “I’m happy to end my season on the podium next to a Kiwi!”

-Ends-