Competing in his first career World Cup final, eventual runner-up Ge was in fifth place going into his third and final run of the competition before his backside 1980 mute earned him a score of 82.50 from the judges, giving him a total of 159.50 to propell him into second place ahead of reigning Big Air World Champion Ryoma Kimata of Japan. Ge also landed a competition-highlight frontside triple toedeo1440 mute in his second run.
Kimata settled for third place on Saturday, with his backside 1980 melon in run one and switch backside 1980 tailgrab in run three earning him a total score of 158.50.
In the women’s event, 18-year-old Mari Fukada led Japan’s podium sweep with a winning score of 156.75, followed by Reira Iwabuchi in second place with 145.75, and Miyabi Onitsuka rounding out the sweep with 141.50.
Fukada took an early lead with her first run, landing a switch backside dub 1080 mute that earned her 78.50 from the judges. After crashing the landing in her second run while attempting a frontside 720 tailgrab to melon, the 21-year-old stepped things up by a full rotation in run three, earning a 78.25 for a frontside 1080 tailgrab to melon in the last attempt of the afternoon to secure her fourth career World Cup victory.
“I’m really happy to start the World Cup season so well. Everyone is getting so good these days, so I’m happy I can compete with all of the girls,” she said.
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