SNOWBOARD, WORLD CUP, BIG AIR. Sebastien Toutant has won the second big air of the 2011 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. In a high-class snowboard final of the fifth Stadium Winter Jam in Stockholm, Sweden, the Canadian rider earned 51.3 points thus edging off Finland's Petja Piiroinen (48.9) and Patrick Burgener from Switzerland (47.8) to the second and third rank respectively.

Belgium's Seppe Smits in the air during the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup 2011 at the Olympic Stadium, in Stockholm Sweden, Saturday Nov. 20 2010. (AP photo/Scanpix Sweden/Janerik Henriksson)

It was the first World Cup win for the 18-years-old talent from Montreal who also took over the lead in the Big Air World Cup and Freestyle Snowboard Overall World Cup standings.

Canada's Sebastian Toutant does a flip as he competes in the men's FIS World Cup Big Air snowboard event at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm November 20, 2010. (REUTERS/Bob Strong SWEDEN)

That he could bring home victory at his second World Cup competition was due to the double cork variations the French Canadian had nailed in the finals. After the best ranked rider of the qualifiers had stomped a huge frontside 1080 double cork he also threw in a backside 1260 double cork, which didn't count for his final score as well as a backside 1080 double cork in the decisive third run.

Canada's Sebastien Toutant is congratulated by fans after winning the men's FIS World Cup Big Air snowboard event at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm November 20, 2010. (REUTERS/Bob Strong SWEDEN)

In front of thousands of spectators who had line up in the 1912 Olympic Stadium of the Swedish capital, "Seb Toots" didn't seem to be fussed at all before dropping in as last rider of the contest although he was. "I'm always nervous although I have been to many competitions already. But the more I do the more confident I get. I'm stoked that I was able to win this as the event and the level of riding in the finals was super good." In addition, the young gun also made him a late birthday present: "I turned 18 a few days ago so this is nice!"

Piiroinen, a very surprised runner-up

Petja Piiroinen was also very pleased with the result as he hadn't expected to make it to the podium at all according to the "lean" score he had earned in his first attempt (cab 900). After his final jump, a backside 1080, he went straight to the riders lounge to get changed. But a few minutes later, he got informed that he had placed second so the Finnish rider "had" to come back to the price giving ceremony.

"I'm super stoked. When my coach told me that I'm second I was just like 'Wow!' I was about to leave already. So, this was a big surprise for me", the 19-years-old summed up.

Burgener grit his teeth

Patrick Burgener was also very happy. No wonder as the talent from Switzerland podiumed in his first ever big air World Cup competition; despite the fact that he had lost a piece of his tooth while crashing in his second run.

"For sure I had that bail in mind. But I'm pleased with the result", the 16-years-old said after switch backside 1080 and cab 900.

Austria's Stefan Falkies in the air during the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup 2011 at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm Sweden, Saturday Nov. 20 2010. (AP photo/Scanpix Sweden/Janerik Henriksson)

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup will continue in Lech. On December 7th and 8th, 2010, the season's first two snowboard cross races are scheduled in the Austrian Winter sport town. The first of the competitions comes with a night final so don't miss the action!

FISsnowboard.com
Saturday 20 November 2010

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