McEachran Secures Victory at Weather-Shortened Stubai Slopestyle World Cup
Calgary, Alberta, November 24, 2023 – In the heart of the Austrian Alps, the Stubai Slopestyle World Cup promised an epic showdown to kick off the 2023/24 Slopestyle season. Athletes from around the globe descended upon the resort, eager to showcase their skills on the slopes. However, Mother Nature had other plans. McEachran of Canada claimed victory in the weather-shortened competition McEachran’s gold-standard run included a switch right-side double cork 1800 safety, a switch left-side double cork 1440 mute, and skillful rail maneuvers, earning him a top score of 93.00 and his first career World Cup victory. The competition also saw Max Moffatt and Jeremy Gagne, who would have competed in the finals, finishing 6th and 15th, respectively. Hopes for a thrilling finals showdown were dashed due to high winds on Friday morning and an unfavorable weather forecast predicting heavy snow and winds throughout the weekend.
The destructive winds forced the resort to remain closed for the day, leading to the cancellation of the remaining events of the Stubai Slopestyle World Cup. Despite the setback, the competition’s qualification rounds held on Thursday allowed organizers to declare an official result, awarding the Stubai gold crown to Evan McEachran, who secured his first World Cup victory.
The men’s competition was fierce, with the top 12 skiers in both heats achieving scores in the 80s or above. However, it was Evan McEachran and Mac Forehand who stood out, breaking into the 90s with impressive performances in their respective heats.
Coach Sandy Boville praised McEachran’s strategy in light of the weather uncertainties, stating, “Evan took that into his game plan and didn’t hold back. He went all out from top to bottom and was rightfully rewarded.”
For Evan, a three-time Olympian, the win was a testament to his resilience and preparation. “It feels really good,” he expressed. “The weather made the competition not an ideal situation, but the team was prepared for that, and I went into the qualification prepared to put down a run I would normally reserve for the final.”
The victory marked a turning point for McEachran, who had faced a string of seconds and thirds in previous competitions. “This win is really exciting and marks the first time I won a competition in a long time after a stretch of seconds and thirds. It reminds me that I can win.”
Looking ahead to the next challenge, Evan shared his excitement, “Winning the Stubai World Cup has my confidence at an all-time high, going into the next event I will be wearing the golden bib and I will ride the momentum for the rest of the season.”
McEachran attributed his success to thorough preparation and mental fortitude, emphasizing the importance of his team, coaches, personal sponsors, and the Freestyle Canada community in his journey.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to Switerland, where the next competition is scheduled to take place. The iconic Slopestyle venue, will set the stage for qualifications on January 17 and 19th, followed by finals on January 21. As McEachran rides the wave of victory, the anticipation builds for another thrilling chapter in the Slopestyle World Cup season.
