Kirsty Muir falls short of podium finish in Freeski Big Air as French freestyle star Tess Ledeux wins gold

Published 04/03/2023 at 14:06 GMT

When 18-year-old Scottish skier Kirsty Muir posted the best score in qualification for the final of the Women's ski big air in Bakuriani, hopes were raised of British gold. However, the young star was unable to rise to the occasion in the final, as France's Tess Ledeux, long a leading light in this discipline, posted an imperious 186.75 to easily take gold.

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Great Britain hopes were raised when 18-year-old Scottish freestyle skier Kirsty Muir posted the best score in qualifying for the final of the Women's ski big air World Championships, but they were dashed by the incomparable French star Tess Ledeux.

Ledeux, a gold medal winner in 2019, 2020 and 2022, posted an imperious score over three runs to once again finish on top of the pile.

The 21-year-old French star earned her nation's third gold of the World Championships, leaving France fifth in the medal table.

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Muir, a bronze medal winner in Aspen in the Big air back in January, finished fourth. Just three points short of a medal in Bakuriani, Muir continues her emergence as a contender.

Ledeux won silver in Beijing in 2022, but went one better in Georgia, taking her third overall world title. The French skier had suffered a heavy fall just four days ago, but recovered to post yet another dominant display.

Facing violent winds and intermittent snow and rain, the final was a testing affair, but Ledeux was surefooted and fearless in securing her title.

A poor second run briefly threatened to leave Ledeux out of the medals, but she attacked the third run with brave aggression.

In the afterglow of victory, Ledeux said: "It's a dream which has become reality. I had this bad fall in the slopestyle, and now I'm so happy. I can't believe it. It was really tough today and I'm so happy to have successfully pushed through it on this run."

She produced the two best jumps of the day, leaving the competition behind. The second was sealed with an impressive double switch cork.

She explained: "The pressure was so strong. I am really pleased to have landed this move (the double switch), it's the first time for me in competition. It's just incredible."

11.75 points separated Ledeux from Norway’s Sandra Eie, who finished second. Canadian Megan Oldham did just enough to keep Muir off the podium.

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