Henshaw feeling confident for Mammoth Slopestyle World Cup

Slopestyle skier Russ Henshaw has received “a real confidence boost” after competing in Snowmass ahead of this week’s World Cup in Mammoth, California. 
 
While Henshaw missed last weekend’s 16-man World Cup final after placing 34th in the qualification runs, he said that he was “stoked” to have finished the day with a best score of 79.33 after mixing things up in his second run.
 
“I landed everything and yeah, I don’t know, I took a bit of a chance with the rails at the top trying to be creative and I don’t think the judges really liked that but I was happy with it,” he said.
 
The Sochi Olympian said that ahead of the last qualifier for PyeongChang he is “feeling good”, especially after having what can only be described as a bumpy start to the season.
 
A back injury sustained at the season opener in Cardrona, New Zealand impeded the 2017 Slopestyle Skiing World Cup bronze medallist’s qualification round and saw him finish in 34th place.
 
Meanwhile in Font Romeu, France, a combination of poor conditions during training and a head cold then saw the 27-year-old finish in 55th place.
 
“Last two events I’ve had a bit of trouble – New Zealand I put out my back, unfortunately, which kind of sucked,” he said.
 
“And in Font Romeu I had a bit of a cold and I really didn’t like the course there.
 
“To put a run down [today], it’s good momentum going into Mammoth and fingers crossed for good weather there, because the last four years have been a little touch and go!”
 
Henshaw will be joined in Mammoth by fellow Aussies Nic Stevens and Ryley Lucas.
 
Stevens finished in 46th place in Snowmass after a best score of 69.00, while Lucas finished 58th on 43.66.
 
The next Slopestyle World Cup will take place at Mammoth Mountain, California from the 19-20 of January. For live results click HERE or follow OWIA on Twitter HERE or Facebook HERE.
 
David Barden
OWIA