Big trick propels Sadowski-Synnott to podium on return

Snowboard star Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has landed on the podium in her first major event back on the international scene.

Photo: FIS Snowboard

The 21-year-old New Zealander, who won gold and silver at last year’s Beijing Winter Olympics, claimed silver at the Big Air World Cup event in Austria.

Sadowski-Synnott bounced back after crashing on her first run, nailing a highly technical trick second time down to pick up the single highest score of the day.

She then produced a solid third and final run to wrap up the silver medal.

“It was super sick to be back in the bib, I’m stoked to be back competing,” Sadowski-Synnott said.

“My last competition was the Winter Olympics, so to end up on the podium at my first comp back is awesome.

“In qualifiers I had the same situation where I fell on my first run, I just had to keep my head in the game. I knew I could do the trick, so I just had to stay focused.”

Olympic champion Anna Gasser of Austria won the event from Sadowski-Synnott and Japan’s Kokomo Murase, mirroring the podium in the big air event from Beijing.

Snow Sports NZ park & pipe head coach Tom Willmott said Sadowski-Synnott’s switch backside 1260 weddle was the best trick landed yet in women’s snowboard competition.

“Landing this in competition after achieving it in training at Cardrona Alpine Resort back in September is a momentous occasion that has taken a whole lot of focus and dedication.

“Having this new trick in Zoi’s arsenal is a massive asset for future events.”

Sadowski-Synnott and other New Zealand snowboarders would be in action next weekend at the Slopestyle World Cup in Switzerland.