We are counting down the hours until the GoPro Ski Big Air Final here at the 2016 X Games in Aspen. Vincent Gagnier took home the gold last year and he’s ready to reclaim the title. However, he’s got some big contenders coming after him, making the Ski Big Air Final one of the most competitive events of the X Games this year. Will Vincent walk away with the gold or will someone snag his title? Check out our predictions for the GoPro Ski Big Air Final below!
Make sure to watch your favorite athletes compete in GoPro Ski Big Air Final on January 30, 2016 at 10:15pm ET on ESPN.
1st Place: Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown claimed 2nd place in the Ski Big Air Final last year, so he’s coming to the games this year with someone to prove. Last year the judges rewarded Brown for his outrageous triple corks and we have a feeling they will do so again this year. Brown is known as one of the most forward-thinking and progressive skiers in the sport and he’s willing to try things that have not been seen or done before at the X Games. If he picks out the right tricks (triples possibly?) and nails each one, we think he can walk away with the gold.
2nd Place: Vincent Gagnier
Like we said before, Vincent Gagnier won the gold medal last year in the Ski Big Air Final. He’s definitely been pegged as one of the favorites to win, but we aren’t sure he’ll be able to hold onto that title. While everyone else is focused on the crazy tricks, aka the triples, Gagnier thinks he can keep doing what he’s doing without them. Considering he won last year with a rightside double bio 1620 Screamin’ Seaman Octograb uncrossed into opposite Octograb and no triple, he might just be right, but Brown is really stepping up his game and it will take an incredibly impressive double to beat perfect triples.
3rd Place: Kai Mahler
Kai Mahler has never claimed the top spot on the podium, but we have a feeling this might just be his year. He likes to throw out some creative doubles like the switch double Misty 1440, but he also has that triple in his back pocket. He’s never jumped on the triples bandwagon, but he might just need to use them depending on how the competition goes. If he does, he will be a threat to the favorites for sure.
Photos: Getty, ESPN Images
