Wānaka’s Luca Harrington (21) has been crowned the 2025 FIS Freeski Big Air World Champion after winning the Freeski Big Air World Championship event in Corvatsch, Switzerland this morning (March 30).

This is the first time a Kiwi freeskier has won the Freeski Big Air World Championships and also marks Luca’s first World Championship title.

“I am so honoured, this season has been just incredible for me and to top it all off with the World Champs win is such an honour, it is a dream of mine coming true and I am so grateful to be here right now,” Luca said.

Luca was the top qualifier into today’s finals, giving him the advantageous position of dropping last into each of the three finals runs.

The Big Air format takes the best two scoring tricks (that must be performed in two different directions) and combines them for a total overall score.

Luca put down a right triple corked 1980 safety grab for his first run, scoring a 92.00 out of a possible 100. Dropping into his second run, he stomped his one-of-a-kind trademark switch right triple corked 1800 Esco Grab. The judges loved it and rewarded him with a massive 96.75, the highest score of the competition.

“Honestly, after my first run I was a little surprised but super stoked on what the judges scored it and that gave me a lot of confidence to send it on my second run,” Luca said.

As the last athlete to drop into his third run Luca knew he had secured the victory, but knowing he could execute his first run trick more cleanly, he went all in and put down a textbook right triple corked 1980 safety grab to up his score on this trick to a 95.25 for a total combined score of 192.00, 7.75 points ahead of his nearest competitor.

Elias Syrja of Finland secured his first career major podium finishing in second and Beijing 2022 Big Air champion and 2025 Slopestyle World Champion Birk Ruud of Norway rounded out the podium in third.

Men’s Freeski Big Air World Championships podium [L-R] Elias Syrja (FIN) silver, Luca Harrington (NZL) gold, Birk Ruud (NOR) bronze.

With five World Cup podiums, including two gold, X Games gold and silver medals, New Zealand’s first ever FIS Freeski Crystal Globe and now a World Championship title, Luca’s season has been nothing short of exceptional.

Luca will now take a break from competition.

PHOTOS: Miha Matavz / FIS Park & Pipe