Krieschberg, Austria (11 January 2025) – Freeskier Luca Harrington (20, Wānaka) has claimed back-to-back Freeski Big Air World Cup wins with his second career world cup victory in Austria this mor.ing
Today’s win comes off the back of Harrington’s career first World Cup win last weekend, with Harrington’s highly technical skill and utter precision both in the air and on his landings proving unbeatable by the best in the world.
Harrington dominated from the first of three runs, posting the highest single jump score of the day right off the bat putting down a flawless switch right triple corked 1620 esco grab and was awarded a huge 95.75 for his efforts.
He immediately backed that up with the third highest score of the day (a 92.00) on his second run, stomping a right triple corked 1800 safety grab for a combined winning score of 187.75, nine points clear of his nearest competitor.
Harrington explained; “I switched up my game plan today so I was a little unsure coming in, but I am glad I did it and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me to this moment – my friends, my family, Hamish McDougall [Luca’s coach], Snow Sports New Zealand and all my sponsors, I wouldn’t be here without them. A huge shout out to Kreischberg for the awesome audience here tonight too.”
Harrington was joined on the podium by local hero Matej Svancer of Austria in second and Norway’s Leo Landroe in third. Cheered on by the rest of the NZ Team, it was a truly special moment as the New Zealand national anthem echoed through the venue as Harrington topped the podium.
“There has been so much training and so much competition experience that has come into this, and you start to get into a comfortability and I think that’s starting to click for me now and I am feeling comfortable, I am really stoked on where I am right now.” – Harrington
Harrington will enjoy this moment but then refocus as he heads into the LAAX Open World Cup and switches gears to Freeski Slopestyle.
The snow sports action continues tonight with Corey Peters and Alice Robinson both in action on the race course.
