Alex Ferreira Claims Halfpipe Finals Victory At Toyota U.S. Grand Prix – Copper Mountain

Alex Ferreira reacts after winning the men's halfpipe finals at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix – Copper Mountain on Dec. 10, 2021 in Copper Mountain, Colo.

 

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. – The second freeski qualifying event for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 couldn’t have gone better for halfpipe freeskier Alex Ferreira, who earned his first win of the 2021-22 world cup season.

Ferreira scored an event-high 93.50 off a 1440 and set of double corks in his first of three runs during the men’s freeski halfpipe finals at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix – Copper Mountain in Colorado.

His first-run score held over the field, which included four other Americans. Birk Irving scored just off the podium with an 88.25. Two-time Olympic gold medalist David Wise took seventh with 83.75 followed by 2014 Olympian Lyman Currier in eighth with 82.25. Two-time Olympian Aaron Blunck took last place with 14.25 after failing out in all three runs. 

Ferreira was thrilled with his performance. 

“I’m in shock still to this moment,” the Aspen, Colorado, native told Team USA. “I’ve never done well at Copper. So, to be able to do well and not only do well but win is something in itself.”

 

@alexferreiraski was firing from the first run.

cc: @usskiteam pic.twitter.com/92orB6zARR

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) December 10, 2021

 

Ferreira made sure to bring the heat early on in finals, despite the course’s conditions.


“Dropping in, it was a little bit colder than we were anticipating this morning,” Ferreira said. “And it was snowy conditions and windy. I just kept my head up and never gave up. It was one run at a time. I did my best.”


Ferreira took home the silver medal in the men’s halfpipe competition at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, falling second to fellow U.S. teammate David Wise. Ferreira now has his eyes set on qualifying for his second straight Games.

 

Justin Limoges is a 2020 sports communication graduate from Bradley University, originating from Newport, Vermont. He is a digital media assistant for Team USA.