Aspen’s Ferreira finishes third for the second time at world championships
Mayk Wendt/Keystone via AP
Aspen’s Alex Ferreira finished third on Sunday in the men’s halfpipe skiing final at the 2025 world championships, hosted by St. Moritz and Engadin, Switzerland.
It’s the second consecutive bronze at worlds for the 30-year-old, who also finished third at the 2023 contest in Bakuriani, Georgia. He was fourth at the Aspen worlds in 2021 and eighth in his 2019 worlds debut in Park City.
New Zealand’s Finley Melville-Ives, one of the rising stars in the sport, won Sunday’s final in the Corvatsch halfpipe in what was the 18-year-old’s world championship debut. He scored 96 on the first of his two finals runs to beat Indiana’s Nick Goepper (94) and Ferreira (92.50) to the top step.
Another Kiwi, the 16-year-old Luke Harrold, was first off the podium in fourth place (90.75).
“They’re both my idols, so I honestly can’t believe it,” Melville-Ives said of the two Americans to FIS media. “I’m so stoked to share the podium with them.”
His winning run began with a switch right double cork 1080 Japan, then a left double cork 1620 mute, a left alley-oop double flatspin 1080 mute, and a switch left double cork 1080 Japan, before ending with a right double cork 1620 safety, according to FIS media.
“I honestly am in shock, I can’t believe that I landed my run,” he said. “I’m so hyped, the pipe is so good. I’m so thankful the weather is good.”
Oregon’s Hunter Hess finished fifth (89.75), while Estonia’s Henry Sildaru was sixth (88.75). Sildaru is the younger brother of women’s freeski standout Kelly Sildaru, who is still recovering from a significant knee injury.
Canadian’s made up the middle of the pack, with 2023 world champion Brendan Mackay finishing seventh (86.25) in his title defense. Dylan Marineau was eighth (84.50), Andrew Longino ninth (81), Noah Bowman 10th (75), and Quincy Barr was 12th (73.25).
Nevada’s David Wise, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was 11th with 74.25. Rounding out the scores in the 16-man final were Switzerland’s Rafael Kreienbuehl (13th, 70), Japan’s Toma Matsuura (14th, 66.50), Austria’s Samuel Baumgartner (15th, 59.50), and China’s Haipeng Sheng (16th, 11.00).
Atkin finishes strong season
The women’s title went to Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin (93.50), who held off China’s Fanghui Li (93) and Canada’s Cassie Sharpe (88) for the world championship. Atkin, 22, completed her worlds medal set, as she won bronze in 2021 and silver in 2023.
“This season I was like, ‘You know, I’m tired of this, I want to go for the gold’. So, I put a lot of work in this season, tried to put my new trick in there,” Atkin said to FIS media. “I had a lot of mental blocks, so I’m really proud of myself for working through that.”
Canada’s Rachael Karker was fourth (86.25) and Winter Park’s Svea Irving was fifth (83.25), her best worlds finish in three trips.
Next in line were a trio of Chinese skiers in Zihan Chen (sixth, 79.25), Kexin Zhang (seventh, 71.75), and Yishan Liu (eighth, 69.75). Rounding out the 12-woman final were New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas (ninth, 56) and California’s Kate Gray (10th, 52.25). Canadian’s Amy Fraser and Dillan Glennie did not start and finished 11th and 12th.
In the snowboard halfpipe finals on Saturday, California’s Chloe Kim won her third world title in three tries (she did not compete in 2023), beating Japan’s Sara Shimizu and Mitsuki Ono.
Australia’s Scotty James won the men’s final for his fourth career world title. This was the 30-year-old’s eighth time competing at worlds, going back to his first in 2009. He also won world titles in 2015, ’17, and ’19.
The 2025 world championship was the last major halfpipe contest of the season. The 2026 winter campaign will be highlighted by the Olympic Games next February in Italy.
Aspen’s Ferreira finishes third for the second time at world championships
It’s the second consecutive bronze at worlds for the 30-year-old, who also finished third at the 2023 contest in Bakuriani, Georgia.
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