Seven Springs, USA (17 March 2016) – Freeskiing brothers Nico and Miguel Porteous (Christchurch) had a winning day at the US Revolution Tour halfpipe competition at Seven Springs Resort in the USA today. Up against a stacked field which included the Youth Olympic Winter Games gold medallist and three X Games athletes, Miguel came away with the win while Nico’s fourth place finish was enough to earn him the overall FIS NorAm season title for halfpipe.
The fourth and final stop of the U.S Revolution Tour, today’s event also doubled as the International Ski Federation (FIS) North America Cup Final for the 2015-2016 season. A FIS sanctioned event as well as an opportunity for skiers to earn points on the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) Tour, the Rev Tour is designed to serve as a stepping stone for athletes making the transition from grassroots level to the elite level.
Miguel and Nico both put down strong runs on their first of two attempts. Nico was initially sitting in second place with a score of 85.75 behind Canadian Ryan Malone on 88.25. Miguel’s score of 80.75 left him with work still to do but he knew exactly where to make the step up to push through for a podium finish.
Taking his left nine up a notch and stomping the left 10 for the first time in competition, Miguel upped his score to 90.50. Malone couldn’t improve his score on the second run but Cameron Brodrick of the USA came through with an 86.25, knocking Nico Porteous into fourth place.
With two wins already to his name - at the Copper Mountain Rev Tour in December 2015 and at the Calgary NorAM in February – Nico’s points take him to top of the FIS freeski halfpipe NorAM rankings for the season.
Nico will compete again tomorrow in the Rev Tour slopestyle.
-Ends-
