Slopestyle, Women

Slopestyle was making its Olympic début in Sochi, although it had been contested as a World Championship event in both 2011 and 2013, and was held at the Winter X-Games since the early 2000s. The favorite was Canadian Kaya Turski, the 2013 World Champion and 2014 Winter X champion, but she was sick during her entire stay in Sochi and would not make it out of qualifying, leaving the event somewhat open.

Warm temperatures at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park made the snow very soft. Canada still managed to put three skiiers in the final, and Dara Howell powered over the slushy course on the first run of the final to post 94.20 and lead American Devin Logan, who trailed with 85.40. After falling on her first run, Canadian Kim Lamarre posted the best second run score with 85.00. Nobody could better Howell and Logan’s marks from the first run, as they won the gold and silver medals, followed by Lamarre, who took bronze. Another medal favorite, American Keri Herman, had difficulty with the soft snow conditions and placed only 10th.

Paraguay made their Winter Olympic début in this event, courtesy of Julia Marino, who was born in Paraguay, but grew up just outside Boston, Massachusetts. Based on her World Cup results, Marino came to Sochi as a medal contender, but struggled and did not get out of the qualifying round, placing 17th.