Winter Olympics: Kiwi snowboarder Carlos Garcia Knight qualifies first in big air competition

  • 21/02/2018

Kiwi snowboarder Carlos Garcia Knight has topped the table in qualifying for the Olympic big air final.

The 20-year-old produced a stunning switch-back 1620 in the second of his two runs which wowed the judge's to the tune of a 97.5 score, enough to secure first place heading into Saturday's final.

Winter Olympics: Kiwi snowboarder Carlos Garcia Knight qualifies first in big air competition
Photo credit: Getty

The Christchurch-native claimed an 88.75 with his opening trick. The top six from each heat advanced to the final, with Garcia Knight's effort the best across both groups.

"It's been the craziest day. To be up the top is surreal, I'm still buzzing," he said afterwards.

"I wanted to do something that looked good and felt good, and I feel like I nailed it."

Garcia Knight joins compatriot Zoi Sadowski-Synnott in the big air finals, with the women's event on Thursday, two days before the men's.

The final is scheduled for Saturday at approximately 5pm (NZT).

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