Wanaka freestyle skier Luca Harrington crowned Big Air World Champion

Luca Harrington celebrates his win as FIS Freeski Big Air world champion in Switzerland, 30 March 2025. Photo: Miha Matavz

Young Wanaka freestyle skier Luca Harrington has achieved his dream, being crowned Big Air World Champion in Switzerland.

It is the first world championship title for the 21-year-old, who is also the first New Zealander to claim a world title in the discipline.

Earlier this month, Harrington became Big Air World Cup Champion after finishing third in the last World Cup tour event for the season in France.

In addition to the Crystal Globe he won for that, he is now world champ.

"I am so honoured. This season has been just incredible for me and to top it all off with the world champs win is such an honour, it is a dream of mine coming true and I am so grateful to be here right now," an elated Harrington said after his victory.

He was the top qualifier into the finals on Sunday, which gave him the advantage of dropping last into each of the three finals runs.

He scored 92 on his first run, one of six to score over 90, but his decisive blow came in the second run, as he performed a switch right triple corked 1800 Escro grab, which earned him 96.75, the highest score of the competition.

"Honestly, after my first run I was a little surprised but super stoked on what the judges scored it and that gave me a lot of confidence to send it on my second run. That trick [triple corked 1800 Esco Grab] is my speciality and I knew I could put it down. That was the cleanest I had landed it here, it was crazy and I was in shock, I just couldn't believe it!"

He scored 95.25 with his final run, taking the world championship with a total combined score of 192, seven points ahead of Elias Syrja of Finland, while reigning Olympic champ Birk Ruud of Norway claimed the bronze.

After five World Cup podiums, including two gold, X Games gold and silver medals, the Crystal Globe and world champ title, Harrington is taking a break from competition.

His win came a day after fellow Kiwi Zoi Sadowski-Synnott had to withdraw from the Snowboard Big Air finals after being injured in a tumble during practice.

Snow Sports NZ told RNZ Sadowski-Synnott was attempting her backside triple-cork 1440 when she crashed.

"After the crash the tight team made the call to withdraw from today's competition. We expect to see Zoi back on snow in the coming weeks."

Last weekend Sadowski-Synnott was crowned the FIS Snowboard Slopestyle world champion in Switzerland for a third time, after taking gold in the final.

Italy's Flora Tabanelli won the women's Big Air world champ title, after earlier taking the Crystal Globe.