Red Gerard hangs on by a thread to squeeze into slopestyle final as Menzies leads qualifying
McMorris, the event’s three-time reigning bronze medalist, hit his head in a crash during practice earlier in the Games and had to sit out of the big air contest with a concussion. The legend went big on his first-run jumps: switch backside 1620, backside triple cork 1440 and frontside 1440.
“I had confidence from our team doctor that I’d be done [after] all those tests,” he said. “I’d passed everything so I could ride with full intensity. And I did and I was ready today and I rose to the occasion.”
Saturday’s competition was fierce. The seal was broken just three riders in when Canter threw down a backside 1800. Two riders later, McMorris upped the ante even more by dropping a backside triple cork 1440.
“[I’ll] look at probably the top section of the course, the rails, and look at other people’s runs on what [the judges] liked, and do a little bit more homework,” Gerard said. “Slopestyle is 1771197364 where there are 30 riders and all 30 of those riders could win the contest. It’s just such a heavy game, so you’re sitting there nervous.”
The final is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 a.m. ET. You can watch it live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
