SILVAPLANA, Switzerland – The Swiss Alps witnessed a day of dramatic finishes at the Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Silvaplana on Sunday, as Novel Zealand’s Luke Harrold secured his first World Cup victory and Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin clinched the overall Crystal Globe title. The event, a key stop on the FIS Freeski Park and Pipe tour, saw both seasoned veterans and rising stars battle for supremacy on the challenging halfpipe course.
Atkin, 19, entered the women’s final already in a strong position to claim the Crystal Globe, awarded to the season’s overall champion. While a sixth-place finish – her lowest of the season in five starts – didn’t deliver the immediate victory she’d hoped for, it was enough to secure the coveted title. The young Brit had worn the tour leader’s yellow bib heading into the competition, and finishing second or higher would have guaranteed her the globe. FIS Ski reported that Atkin expressed her satisfaction, stating, “Capping off a really great season. I’m really happy. I’m really stoked.”
Harrold’s Stunning Upset
The men’s competition delivered a genuine surprise, as 17-year-vintage Luke Harrold edged out Estonia’s Henry Sildaru for the win. Sildaru, the silver medalist at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, had appeared poised to seize his first World Cup victory after a strong first run. But, Harrold unleashed a spectacular second run, scoring 93.25 points to overtake Sildaru.
Harrold’s winning run was a display of technical prowess and daring, featuring a switch right alley oop double 900 critical grab, a switch left alley-oop double 900 mute, a switch left cork 720 Japan, a right dub 1260 mute, and culminating in a massive left double 1620 safety on the final hit. He had initially posted a score of 80.25 in his first run, demonstrating his consistency before raising the bar significantly.
Rising Stars and Returning Faces
The Silvaplana event highlighted the emergence of several young talents in freeskiing. Mischa Thomas, 18, secured her first World Cup podium finish with a second-place result, adding to her impressive rookie season which also included an eighth-place finish at the Milano Cortina 2026 test event. For Thomas, this podium represents a significant step forward in her burgeoning career.
Another notable performance came from Russia-born skier Glazkova, who finished third. This marked her first international competition since the Beijing 2022 Games, signaling her return to the world stage. The FIS does not currently list her full name or team affiliation, reflecting the ongoing complexities of international sports participation.
Brown’s Rookie Season Continues
While Atkin celebrated a Crystal Globe victory, fellow young competitor, 16-year-old Brown, faced a more challenging day, finishing sixth. This was her lowest result in her five Freeski Halfpipe starts this season, according to FIS Ski. Despite the setback, Brown’s overall rookie season has been marked by promise, and she remains a skier to watch.
The Silvaplana World Cup showcased the dynamic nature of freeskiing, with established names facing challenges from a new generation of athletes. The event underscored the sport’s growing popularity and the increasing level of competition.
The FIS Freeski Park and Pipe World Cup tour will now move on to its next scheduled event, with details to be announced on the FIS Freestyle Skiing website. Athletes will continue to vie for valuable points and rankings as they prepare for future competitions, including the World Championships and the Winter Olympics.
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