Urness and Podmilsak Dominate Steamboat World Cup, Set Stage for Tignes Showdown

Steamboat, Colorado, witnessed a weekend of impressive performances at the FIS Freeski Park & Pipe World Cup, with Canada’s Naomi Urness securing her first career Big Air World Cup victory and the United States’ Troy Podmilsak topping the men’s field for his second win of the 2025/26 season. The results have significantly impacted the World Cup standings, setting up an exciting finale in Tignes, France.

Urness’ Breakthrough Performance

Twenty-one-year-old Naomi Urness led the women’s final with a strong first run, scoring 83.25 for a right double cork 1080 safety. She solidified her lead with a second run score of 73.00, performing a switch right 1080 mute, achieving a total of 156.25 points. This victory marks Urness’ third consecutive World Cup podium finish in just her fifth World Cup start, following a silver medal in Secret Garden, China, and a bronze in Beijing. FIS

“Honestly I have no words. It’s been an incredible four weeks. I’ve never expected this and to finish strong and on top, it just means the world,” Urness stated after her win. FIS

Kateryna Kotsar of Ukraine finished second with a score of 155.0, achieving both her first World Cup podium and the first in FIS Freeski history for a Ukrainian athlete. China’s Yang Ruyi rounded out the podium in third place with 148.50 points. FIS

Podmilsak Continues Dominance in Men’s Big Air

Troy Podmilsak continued his impressive form, securing his second win of the season. FIS Details of his performance were not provided.

World Cup Standings and Outlook

Urness currently leads the World Cup standings, with Great Britain’s Kirsty Muir trailing by 61 points in second place with 179 points. Wikipedia Muir won the first big air event of the season in Secret Garden but has since finished outside the top five in Beijing and Steamboat. Wikipedia

The upcoming event in Tignes will be crucial, especially with the absence of Milano Cortina 2026 Big Air podium finishers Megan Oldham (Canada), Eileen Gu (China), and Flora Tabanelli (Italy), as well as Mathilde Gremaud’s withdrawal due to injury. Wikipedia This opens opportunities for athletes like Finland’s Anni Karva, who has shown strong form with multiple podium finishes, and Ukraine’s Kateryna Kotsar, fresh off her first World Cup podium in Steamboat. Team Canada Elena Gaskell (Canada), Sarah Hoefflin (Switzerland), and Avery Krumme (USA) are also expected to be competitive. Team Canada

Urness’ Rapid Rise

Naomi Urness made her World Cup debut in Freeski Slopestyle at the Stoneham World Cup in February 2025. Wikipedia The 2025/26 circuit represents her first full FIS Freeski Park and Pipe season. Wikipedia She secured a silver medal at the Secret Garden World Cup and a bronze in Beijing before her gold medal win in Steamboat. Wikipedia Urness is set to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Wikipedia