Day One of Big Air Takes Off in PyeongChang

New Olympic event tests out the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre for the FIS Snowboard World Cup

PyeongChang, November 25 – Big Air literally took off today at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre on the opening day of the FIS Snowboard World Cup.

The two day competition is the first test event of the season for the PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today’s qualification rounds of both the men’s and ladies’ categories drew plenty of interest from excited spectators on the snow covered slopes.

Topping the men’s table after the two qualifying heats were two Canadians namely Darcy Sharpe and Sebastian Toutant, while local favourite Kim Gyeong-Uk was at the other end of the table in 26th position.

For the women, they will get their competition underway with a single qualifying heat before both mn and women move straight into the finals.

Katie Ormerod (GBR) gave her thoughts ahead of her competition getting underway saying, "I really like the Big Air in PyeongChang. I scenery is really amazing and the jump itself is in really good condition. So I'm really excited."

Mark Mcmorris (CAN) who finished the qualifying tied for fourth place said, "Now that Big Air is in the Olympics it’s for sure a good thing for me to be here and check out what conditions I will be competing in when it comes around in 2018."

The FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis spoke to the media saying, "PyeongChang 2018 will be the first Olympics to have Big Air in its official program. It is a great opportunity to have youngsters be more involved and connect with the Olympics as well as winter sports as a whole.

"Top athletes from 23 countries are here in PyeongChang this week. The organizing committee has done a great job with preparations and we have only heard positive feedback about the venue, accommodation, food & beverage. Everything has been fantastic and you can actually feel the excitement."

The action continues tomorrow from 09:45 (KST).

All results can be found at www.fis-ski.com

Detailed information on each individual competition, including schedules and tickets are available at the dedicated website www.hellopyeongchang.com.

"Hello PyeongChang" is the umbrella brand that covers all test events for PyeongChang 2018 held from February 2016 through 2017.

For more information on all the test events, please follow:

Website: www.hellopyeongchang.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelloPyeongChang

Twitter: @testevents_pc

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoLtr-dqMnX4yIIARuemrA

#HelloPyeongChang

#HelloBigAir

App: The Hello PyeongChang App available on the App Store (ios) and Google Play (android) in English and Korean

For more information:

CONTACT:

POCOG Press Office: pressoffice@pyeongchang2018.com

Flickr:www.flickr.com/photos/pyeongchang2018_kr

Web: www.pyeongchang2018.com/horizon/eng/index.asp

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PyeongChang2018

Twitter: @2018PyeongChang

About POCOGThe PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) will host the XXIII edition of the Olympic Winter Games on 9-25 February 2018. Approximately 95 countries and 3,000 athletes are expected to take part in the first Olympic Winter Games to be held in Asia in 20 years. Seven sports comprising 15 disciplines will be on the official program.The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games will take place on 9-18 March 2018, with approximately 50 countries and 670 athletes competing. Six sports are on the Paralympic program.

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