Muir seals Big Air gold in China

21-year-old tops Big Air World Cup podium for first time

Kirsty Muir took Gold at the Secret Garden Freeski Big Air World Cup, giving her the first podium for a GB Snowsport athlete this season and the first Big Air World Cup victory of her career.

With Finals rescheduled to Saturday morning local time due to approaching high winds, Kirsty brought the form which had seen her lead the qualification standings into Finals, by taking a commanding lead from the first jump with a perfectly executed left double-14 safety, backed up by a third round right double-10 mute with victory already secured.

Muir’s final score of 174.50 saw her finish clear of Canada’s Naomi Urness who took second place with 165.75 and home favourite Mengting Liu who finished in third place with a score of 165.25.

Speaking after Finals, Jamie Matthew, Freeski head coach said:

“Kirsty has had a tough two years since she last competed in China. Having to rehab for 12 months after knee surgery to then being thrust into the midst of Olympic qualifying for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games. So to see her take all that in her stride and still deliver world class results like today fills the whole team with immense pride and satisfaction.

“She has worked incredibly hard on several fronts so I’m thrilled she has another World Cup victory to show for all her effort.“

Muir’s performance marks her second World Cup victory and a second podium since returning from knee and shoulder surgery which had kept her out of action for a year from the end of 2023. The result marks Muir’s second World Cup podium in China, having previously taken second place at the Beijing Big Air World Cup in 2023, a site she will return to for the next World Cup meet next weekend.